A Detroit Blogger's Reaction to Notre Dame

Found this blog post from the Detroit Free Press's Mark Snyder concerning Notre Dame Football's traditional "WALK" from the Basilica of the Sacred Heart to the stadium. Click on link below:

LINK: NOTRE DAME TRADITIONS

Charlie's Chiefs on Monday Night Football

Former Notre Dame Head Football Coach, Charlie Weis '78 -- takes his offensive play calling to the NFL's biggest stage tonight as the Kansas City Chiefs take on the San Diego Chargers in the Monday Night Football game on ESPN. You can bet, the camera will be on Coach Weis often as he makes his return to the pro game. The Chiefs vs. Chargers game is the second game tonight on ESPN's Monday Night Football doubleheader with a 10:15 PM EST kick-off. The first game (Ravens vs. Jets) kicks off at 7:00 PM EST. Here's a link to a Q&A with Coach Weis last month:

LINK: Q&A WITH CHARLIE WEIS

New York Town Hires Notre Dame

The village of Skaneateles, NY (located in the Finger Lakes region) recently contracted with six University of Notre Dame graduate students and their professor to assist them in developing their master plan. The town's Comprehensive Plan Review Committee hired the Urban Design Studio students for $10,000 to assist them in planning their future. The Notre Dame students will be meeting with Skaneateles residents this week (September 14th - 16th) and will be presenting their completed work in December. Here's a link to the story:

LINK: NOTRE DAME COMES TO TOWN

Former NFL Great's "Twins" Are Irish!

Former Oakland Raider great, George Atkinson's twin sons; George III and Josh gave their verbal commitment to Brian Kelly and the Fighting Irish this morning. George III is a top wide receiver / running back prospect and brother Josh is a defensive back. Dad, seen here in the photo with his boys, is a radio analyst for the Raiders these days. Here's a video of George III from his junior year:

LINK: IRISH COMMIT

Clausen's NFL Debut...

Former Notre Dame QB, Jimmy Clausen -- made his NFL debut today in the Carolina Panthers 31-18 loss to the New York Giants in the first "official" NFL game played in the Giants & Jets new $1.6 billion stadium. Clausen got into the game late -- when the Panthers starting QB, Mal Moore, was shaken up. Moore was taken to a New York hospital after the game for observation. Jimmy attempted two passes -- but neither was caught. Ironically, Clausen's NFL Passer Rating ended up higher than his teammate Moore's -- can someone please explain to me how you can have an NFL Passer Rating when you don't complete a pass? Here's a link to the statistics:

LINK: CLAUSEN'S NFL PASSER RATING

PHOTO OF THE DAY: A Little Wet @ ND!

It was a rainy day yesterday at Notre Dame. Thought this sign in South Quad was quite appropriate!

Replay: A Tough One to Watch...

We rolled into our driveway around 1:50 AM this morning -- the I-69 Exit off of the Indiana Toll Road isn't much fun after a Michigan or Michigan State game -- what a mess! Much like the first half and last three minutes of the game against Michigan yesterday -- not in any hurry to relive any of those moments! So, if you dare -- here's a link to NBC's replay of yesterday's game:

LINK: A DIFFICULT LOSS

It's Football Saturday @ Notre Dame!

Folks, we're about an hour away from leaving Motown for Notre Dame and our seats in Section 119 -- there will be sixteen of us Irish fans sitting in amongst the Michigan fans (God help us!). The nation will be watching to see if Notre Dame is on its way back -- FYI: WE ARE! For those of you who will rooting for the Irish from home -- here's a few options to get you ready for kick-off:

1. At 9 AM EST -- click on this link and listen to WSBT 960 AM's Notre Dame Football Show -- it goes all morning long - right up to kick-off!

2. At 11 AM EST -- click on this link and watch Notre Dame Stadium fill up and watch the Irish come out of the Student Section on to the field for pre-game warmups

3. At 2:30 PM EST -- click on this link and watch NBC's online pre-game show

4. And, at 3:41 PM EST -- kick-off of the Notre Dame vs. Michigan game on NBC or online

Go IRISH!!!

Replay: Pep Rally - Michigan Week

The Fighting Irish Football Team started Football Weekend with a trip to the Pep Rally at the Irish Green on the Notre Dame campus. The photo was taken from the cell phone of one Brian Smith #58 -- senior linebacker for the Irish. Here's a link to the Pep Rally -- Go Irish!

LINK: Pep Rally

You'll Enjoy This Access to the Irish!

I just got done watching this video just posted by the gang at www.und.com -- this might be their best effort yet! Coach Kelly truly gave them ALL ACCESS for his first game. This video takes you from their last practice on Friday afternoon to inside the Irish Locker Room after the game. CLICK ON THE TOTAL ACCESS VIDEO -- you'll like this!

LINK: IRISH ALL ACCESS -- THE FIRST GAME

Game Day Weather Forecast

Just took a look at AccuWeather's forecast for South Bend, IN tomorrow -- and it's not that bad! If you look at the "hourly" forecast, they're predicting no rain from 11 AM to 7 PM -- let's hope they're correct!!! Here's the link:

LINK: HOURLY WEATHER FORECAST -- IRISH vs. WOLVERINES

Lemming Talking ND Recruiting - Today!

College football recruiting expert, Tom Lemming, will be joining the boys at WSBT 906 AM's Weekday SportsBeat -- today from 5:00 PM EST to 6:00 PM EST -- as they broadcast from the Irish Green. Here's a link to listen to them live on the web:

LINK: TOM LEMMING ON WEEKDAY SPORTSBEAT

Will They Be Back?

Mega Country-Pop star Taylor Swift and her side-kick Selena Gomez, of Disney Channel Fame, (pictured) generated a great deal of buzz this past Saturday inside Notre Dame Stadium. Will they be back again tomorrow? I'm sure their fans will be on the look out - and maybe a few football players too!

Replay: Brian Kelly Radio Show

Coach Kelly was back at Legend's of Notre Dame last night for his second radio show. Here's a link to video coverage of the show:

LINK: BRIAN KELLY RADIO SHOW - September 9th

LIVE CHAT with Notre Dame Football

The gang at www.und.com will be hosting a LIVE CHAT @ NOON today with a number of Notre Dame Football players. To join the chat - click on this link below:

LIVE CHAT WITH ND FOOTBALL PLAYERS

Notre Dame's Fight For Kids With Autism

Folks, it's work like this going on at the University of Notre Dame -- that makes me proud to be a fan. I'm sure most know someone who has a child who's dealing with Autism. Here's a story told by Notre Dame's Office of Public Affairs & Communications -- that will touch your soul! KLEENEX ALERT! Click on the link below:


LINK: FIGHTING AUTISM

On Campus? -- They're Painting the Helmets!

The University of Notre Dame announced earlier in the week that they were moving the painting of the helmets to this afternoon at 3:00 PM -- inside Notre Dame Stadium. Fans can come to GATE E (Student Entrance) and watch one of the great college football traditions -- the painting of the Notre Dame football helmets! Here's an Adidas TV commercial from 1996 about this uniquely Notre Dame tradition -- that you'll enjoy:

LINK: THERE'S FOOTBALL -- AND THEN THERE'S NOTRE DAME FOOTBALL

A Notre Dame Icon -- To Retire

The University of Notre Dame's long time Executive Director of its Alumni Association, Chuck Lennon '61 -- announced his retirement yesterday -- effective next June 2011. Chuck's 30 years of service to his Alma Mater left Notre Dame a much better place. Lennon was a fixture at Pep Rally's with his "Raise the Roof" cheer (SEE VIDEO LINK BELOW) -- and never missed an opportunity to make a fellow Alum or visitor feel at home when they crossed his path at Notre Dame. He epitomizes what it means to be a "Notre Dame Man." I'm certain there will be tribute after tribute for this "Man and his Notre Dame sweater" -- over these next nine months. Thank You Chuck Lennon!

LINK: "RAISE THE ROOF"

LINK: A BONUS VIDEO OF CHUCK IN ACTION!

Michigan Week: #1 vs. #2 in 1989

It's the game in which Rocket Ismail broke Bo Schembechler's heart and became Irish legend -- with his two kick-off returns for TD's as the #1 ranked Irish beat #2 ranked Michigan in the so called "Big House." Here is Keith Jackson's call on ABC:

LINK: YOU DON'T KICK TO ROCKET!

Brian Kelly Radio Show -- Tonight!

Just a quick reminder -- every Thursday night during the Notre Dame football season -- Head Coach Brian Kelly will be hosting his own radio show at Legends of Notre Dame. The radio show runs from 7 PM EST to 8 PM EST on a number of radio stations. You can also watch it live on www.und.com -- ALL ACCESS. Here's two links to where you'll find Coach Kelly's radio show tonight live on the web:

LINK: LIVE ON THE WEB

LINK: LIVE ON THE RADIO

The Montana vs. Rudy Story -- Part II

Looks like the "journalists" at TMZ won't let this story go away. Yesterday, Joe Montana was on the Dan Patrick Radio Show and he was asked about the Rudy movie. I wasn't crazy about Joe's response -- as you may have read in an earlier post. Well, it looks like a former teammate, Jay Achterhoff, wasn't as well. Here's a link to TMZ's report:

LINK: MONTANA vs. RUDY

Brian Kelly on Dan Patrick Radio Show this AM

Here's a link to Brian Kelly's conversation this morning with Dan Patrick on his nationally syndicated radio show:

LINK: COACH KELLY WITH DAN PATRICK

Get Your GREEN ON -- This Saturday!

Folks, it's time we made a "statement" beyond the student section inside Notre Dame Stadium. We have a school coming in that has similar colors to ours "Maize is not GOLD" -- that also has an Adidas contract. Our team apparel is from the same designer -- so, if you wear your blue, white or gold shirts in the stands -- you might be mistaken for one of "those guys." Remember when Nebraska came to town a few years ago and the statement their fans made with all of the red they wore in Notre Dame Stadium? THIS IS OUR HOUSE -- get your GREEN ON inside Notre Dame Stadium this Saturday! Let's force ESPN's Sports Center to talk about "ALL OF THE FANS WEARING GREEN at Notre Dame Stadium" -- when they show their post game coverage of our victory over Michigan! It's time to let the world know that not only are the FIGHTING IRISH BACK -- but so are their MILLIONS OF FANS! GET YOUR GREEN ON!

Michigan Week: Irish Roll in Rain!

The weather man isn't giving us the greatest of forecasts for this Saturday's game against Michigan -- so I decided to bring out the video of the last time the Wolverines came to Notre Dame Stadium. If you recall -- it poured -- and we rolled over Michigan 35-17! Here's a link to a video of the 2008 game:


LINK: WE CAN BEAT YOU IN THE RAIN

His Grandpa Was Smiling in Heaven...

The University of Notre Dame's Leprchaun, David Zimmer, grew up in a family of Purdue grads and fans. In fact, "Diz" spent his first year in college at Purdue, after not being accepted into ND out of high school. Zimmer applied again after his freshman year and was accepted -- transferring into Notre Dame his sophomore year. It was Diz's Grandpa who had always encouraged him to attend Notre Dame, and when Zimmer received the news that he was going to be Irish -- the first call was to Grandpa. Unfortunately, Grandpa never got to see his grandson roaming the sidelines of his first game as the Leprechaun from a seat inside Notre Dame Stadium -- against, of all teams, Purdue. You see -- Grandpa had a better seat for this game. Diz and his family buried Grandpa -- last Thursday, two days before the Purdue game. Here's a link to a wonderful story -- you might have missed -- that aired last Friday on WNDU-TV and a story that ran when Diz was named the Leprechaun:

LINK: HIS GRANDPA'S DREAM

LINK: HE'S THE NOTRE DAME LEPRECHAUN!

Notre Dame Coaching Staff to Honor Heroes...

To commemorate the ninth anniversary of the events that took place on 9/11/01 -- Brian Kelly & coaching staff will be wearing the Notre Dame Heroes Collection -- during this Saturday's game against Michigan. You can purchase the Heroes Collection in the Notre Dame Hammes Bookstore. Here's a link to purchase the official hat:

LINK: NOTRE DAME HEROES HAT

Biometric Sampling of Twins @ Notre Dame

Every August in a town in Ohio aptly named "Twinsburg" -- almost 2,000 sets of twins attend "The Twins Day Festival" -- which is generally regarded as the largest official gathering of twins in the world. And it's an event that researchers from the University of Notre Dame's Department of Computer Science and Engineering attend -- to do some field work! Notre Dame's Kevin Bowyer and Patrick Flynn spent the weekend in Twinsburg convincing sets of twins to sit at the center of a half-circle arc surrounded by five cameras which took high resolution color photographs from different angles. These volunteers also posed for iris and 3-D face imaging cameras. Flynn and Bowyer have been developing and assessing image-based biometrics and multi-biometrics technologies since 2001, including first-of-kind comparisons of face photographs, face thermograms, 3-D face images, iris images, video of human gait, and even ear and hand shapes. A biometric is a stable and distinctive physiological feature of a person that can be measured and used to identify that person; the fingerprint is the most familiar example. In the wake of the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, 2001, federal agencies have become increasingly interested in the feasibility of facial and iris recognition technologies. Here's a link to Notre Dame's official release:

LINK: BIOMETRIC SAMPLING

Michigan Week: Irish Upset #5 Ranked Michigan

It was the opening game of the 1998 season for the Irish against the 5th ranked Wolverines -- who were coming off of their National Championship season. Bob Davie's 22nd ranked Irish rolled over Michigan 36 to 20 that day -- a Wolverine team led by Tom Brady. Who's seen here fumbling after being sacked by the Irish. Here's a link to a video of the game highlights:

LINK: THE IRISH UPSET MICHIGAN

Last Day to Win Tickets to Saturday's Game!

If you'd like to enter the contest to win tickets to Notre Dame's game this Saturday against Michigan -- you need to get moving! The contest at Every Game Counts ends today - here's the link to enter a chance to win two tickets:

LINK: EVERY GAME COUNTS CONTEST

Montana Talks "Rudy" -- Did He Have To?

Former Notre Dame QB and Super Bowl Champion, Joe Montana -- was a guest on the Dan Patrick Radio Show this morning. The subject of "Rudy" came up and Joe's response, in essence, let everyone "behind the curtain." Did he have to do that? You take a listen:



LINK: JOE MONTANA ON "RUDY"

Your Irish Women's BB Team @ Work!

There's a work-out called ZUMBA which is the "fusion" of Latin and International music -- that is becoming quite the rage -- and, has become part of the workout regiment for Muffet McGraw's Fighting Irish! Here's a link to a video of the girls hard at work (you'll find the video on the lower right hand portion of the web page, just scroll down) -- and a link to the ZUMBA website, just in case you want to try this at home!

LINK: ZUMBA WITH ND BASKETBALL!

LINK: ZUMBA WEBSITE

Dayne Crist Needs OUR Vote!

The Davey O'Brien Award, given annually to the top college QB in America, is conducting an online vote for the first time this year. At present, all 120 projected starting QB's of NCAA FBS teams are on the ballot. Through the fan vote -- which counts for 5% of the total -- and the vote of the O'Brien Committee, 16 QB's will be named a "SEMI-FINALIST" which will be announced on October 25th. No Notre Dame QB has ever won this award -- it's time to change that!!! Click on this link to vote for Dayne!

LINK: VOTE FOR DAYNE CRIST

ND's First African American Defensive Captain...

Larry Schumacher, a starting linebacker for the Irish in the 60's died Saturday at his home in East Orange, NJ. Schumacher played for Coach Parseghian. Here's a link to a story about his contributions to his home town:

LINK: LARRY SCHUMACHER

Notre Dame Picked as "Worth the Price"

The University of Notre Dame was picked as one of the fifteen schools "Worth the Price" in higher education in the book “Higher Education? How Colleges Are Wasting Our Money and Failing Our Kids – and What We Can Do About It.” The book written by Andrew Hacker and Claudia Dreifus takes you on a tour of what’s horrible about today’s colleges. Hacker, a professor at Queens College, and Dreifus, who teaches at Columbia University, outline how colleges lost track of their primary mission: teaching college students. Instead, many professors negotiate to teach as little as possible, while the colleges lure students with expensive sports facilities, dorms and dining choices, pushing a four-year education at a private school to a quarter million dollars. Here's the list of the fifteen schools they believe are worth the price: Notre Dame, Harvard, Emory, Brandeis, Marquette, Hofstra, Florida Gulf Coast, Evergreen State, Western Oregon, University of Maryland - Baltimore County, Raritan Valley, Cooper Union, Linfield College, University of Mississippi and Arizona State. I noticed Dreifus didn't pick Columbia -- and Hacker didn't pick Queens College...they both must have "tenure."

LINK: BUY THE BOOK AT AMAZON

Hodges Returns to Irish after Transplant!

Teddy Hodges (Salinas, KS) is back with the Notre Dame Fencing Team - less than one year after his heart transplant. CAN YOU BELIEVE THAT! 365 days ago, Hodges was clinging on to life, after a virus attacked his heart causing two heart attacks in consecutive days. This was the news report on the www.fencing.net blog a year ago: Teddy Hodges, a senor foil fencer on the Notre Dame varsity, is in a Kansas City hospital. He is suffering from a viral infection of the heart. He had two heart attacks in the last two days. He is on a machine that keeps his heart and lungs working while they rest the heart and decide on further treatment. He can open his eyes and move his arms and legs. Well, that further treatment was a heart transplant -- which took place on September 16, 2009. Yesterday, nine days short of the one-year anniversary of his new heart, Teddy Hodges joined his Irish teammates at practice. Here are a few news reports on Hodges return for his senior year at Notre Dame -- what a story:

LINK: WWW.UND.COM STORY

LINK: WNDU-TV STORY

Coach Kelly's First Pre Game Speech @ ND!

Here's your chance to get inside the Notre Dame Locker room and see what Coach Kelly had to say to the Fighting Irish -- and his first trip down the steps to touch the PLAY LIKE A CHAMPION TODAY sign! Here's the link:

LINK: COACH KELLY'S PEP TALK

Reminder: Green Rules The Day!

This Saturday -- is "Wearin' of the Green" day at Notre Dame Stadium! Show you're behind Coach Kelly and the Fighting Irish by turning Notre Dame Stadium into a SEA OF GREEN @ Saturday's game against Michigan. Whether it's a green shirt, jacket or body paint -- it will all look the same from the field and on television sets all over the world. We need to extend the "GREEN OUT" beyond the Notre Dame student section!

PHOTO OF THE DAY: Swift at Notre Dame

Here's a photo of Taylor Swift, the country pop star, with some of her fans here at Notre Dame. The photo was taken last year when Swift visited Notre Dame with her brother Austin -- when he was a high school senior looking for a college to attend. (One of our visitors at ND GO IRISH BLOG was quick to point out when the photo was taken -- THANK YOU!) Swift was at Notre Dame this weekend to visit her brother Austin (a Notre Dame freshman) and to see a Notre Dame football game. Apparently, Taylor wanted to sit in the Notre Dame student section, but Notre Dame officials talked her out of that idea and she watched the game from the sidelines. Forbes magazine recently ranked the twenty-year old Swift as the 12th most powerful celebrity with earnings of $45 million in the past year.

Coach Kelly & His Team...

Brian Kelly gave "ALL ACCESS" to the www.und.com cameras, into the Notre Dame locker room, after the Irish 23-12 victory over Purdue Saturday. Here's a video of Team Chaplain; Fr. Paul Doyle leading the team in the Our Father and Coach Kelly leading the singing of the Victory March. Click on the TOTAL ACCESS PREVIEW on the right -- good stuff!:

LINK: A MUST WATCH

Michigan Week: A Notre Dame History Lesson!

Having been a resident of the State of Michigan for most of my life -- but an Irish fan since BIRTH -- I've always looked forward to these two weeks of the season when we play Michigan and Michigan State. Now, I must admit -- I like these two weeks a whole lot better when we win! So, to get us in the right frame of mind for these next two Saturdays -- I'm going to dig up some classic YOUTUBE video of great moments in these two games. First up, the 1980 game when Touchdown Jesus "stopped the wind" and little known Harry Oliver -- all "five foot nuthin" -- kicked a 51-yard field goal in the final seconds to give the Irish a 29-27 win over Michigan. Here's the link to the last minute of the game -- with a bonus radio call of the kick from Tony Roberts. A MUST WATCH TODAY:

LINK: HARRY O'S MIRACLE KICK

ND Fans: A Reason to Consider Buying an iPad

NBC Sports just gave every Notre Dame fan in the world a reason to buy an iPad. An iPad app for Notre Dame Football. What's the line... "I have an app for that" -- well, Irish fans this may be the app of the year! The app offers a pretty thorough set of ways to follow the team’s season, including a complete schedule, news, live scores, video clips including recaps and interviews, team stats, roster, photo galleries, Twitter updates and a display of the “Inside the Irish” blog. Of course, the app also allows you to pay for live streaming of home game for either $5.99 for the entire season or $1.99 per game. The two coolest features come in the form of notifications. On game day, you can set the app to remind you of the game – by playing the Notre Dame fight song. Then during the game, the app offers push notifications every time there is a score. Now, if we can talk NBC into "giving away" iPads as a promotion for Notre Dame fans -- we may have something here! Here's a link to more information on how to download the app:

LINK: NOTRE DAME iPad APP

A ND Drummer's Fifteen Minutes of Fame...

A member of the University of Notre Dame's Band of the Fighting Irish's famed Drumline -- made one of the more memorable entrances in the Band's 123 year history of marching at Notre Dame Football games -- this past Saturday. Here's a link to a video that may very well become YOUTUBE legend for this band member:

LINK: A NOT SO GRAND ENTRANCE

The Band of the Fighting Irish

Shot this video this Saturday at the Notre Dame vs. Purdue football game of the greatest band in the land - The Band of the Fighting Irish! Enjoy!

LINK: THE BAND OF THE FIGHTING IRISH

Wear Your Green This Saturday!

Some Notre Dame fans online are suggesting a "GREEN OUT" at Notre Dame Stadium for this Saturday's game against Michigan. I believe it's a great idea and I'm going to be asking my gang of sixteen -- who are all sitting in the Michigan section by the way -- to WEAR GREEN ON SATURDAY! So, whether it's green clothing or green body paint -- GET YOUR "KELLY" GREEN ON this Saturday!

A Notre Dame Marriage Proposal...

Former Notre Dame Cheerleader, Kristi Murphy received a great surprise this Saturday prior to the Notre Dame vs. Purdue game. Kristi's boyfriend, Mike Iaquinta dropped to one knee and proposed to Kristi in front of the Basilica of the Sacred Heart on the Notre Dame campus -- and in front of the WNDU-TV cameras! Here's a link to the WNDU-TV story:

LINK: ND MARRIAGE PROPOSAL

NBC's Lovin' Brian Kelly: Ratings up 77%!

The Notre Dame vs. Purdue football game Saturday's preliminary rating was up 77 percent from last year's opener. NBC said Sunday that the Fighting Irish's 23-12 win over Purdue drew a 2.3 overnight rating and 6 share. The 2009 opener against Nevada earned a 1.3 rating and 3 share. A big thank-you to Jim Conway, Jr. '69 -- for sending me an email alerting me to this fact. Here's a link to the ESPN Blog story:

LINK: NBC'S RATINGS UP

Replay of Notre Dame vs. Purdue

If you were at the game Saturday and like me -- forgot to set the DVR to record the game. Or, you had other conflicts and were unable to see the game on TV -- you still have options! NBC Sports' website has the entire broadcast archived for you to watch at your leisure. Photo courtesy of South Bend Tribune. Here's the link:

LINK: WATCH THE IRISH BEAT PURDUE

Dayne Crist's Irish Debut

University of Notre Dame QB, Dayne Crist, made his Irish debut this Saturday against the Purdue Boilermakers. Crist went 19 for 26 and 205 yards -- and a TD pass. Here is Dayne's postgame comments:

LINK: DAYNE CRIST INTERVIEW

Irish Basketball on Football Saturdays

For those of you fortunate enough to be on campus for a Football Saturday at Notre Dame -- and you're looking for something to do before kick-off -- you might just want to stroll over to the Purcell Pavillion and catch the Irish basketball team in action. It's become tradition that the Men's and Women's Notre Dame basketball teams play "pick up" games on either the arena floor or THE PIT -- their practice court in the basement of the Joyce Center on Saturday mornings. This past Saturday we found the Irish Men's team playing in the "Pit" because the arena floor had a large stage occupying it. And, while we were there we saw former Irish stars; Chris Quinn (New Jersey Nets) and Luke Harangody (Boston Celtics) watching the action. You can typically find them playing between 10 AM and Noon on most football Saturdays. Here's a link to some of the action from this Saturday's open gym:

LINK: OPEN GYM FOR IRISH BASKETBALL

He Loves Notre Dame...

It was 29 years ago this week that Gerry Faust was to embark on what he expected to be one of the great coaching runs in the history of Notre Dame football. Why wouldn' he? He had just left Archbishop Moeller High School in Cincinnati after winning 178 of the 203 games he coached. He led the Crusaders to seven unbeaten seasons, four national prep titles, and five Ohio state titles in his last six seasons at Moeller. Well, if only Gerry could have kept his coaching career to one game at ND -- he would have retired on top. If you recall, Faust's Irish beat LSU in his first game as coach. The 27 - 9 Notre Dame victory over LSU (on September 12, 1981) combined with Minnesota's upset of then top ranked Michigan -- vaulted the Irish to the #1 ranking in the country. Unfortunately, Michigan was next on the schedule and Schembechler's Wolverines beat Notre Dame that week 25 - 7 -- and the honeymoon was over. Gerry did have some moments at Notre Dame in his five-year career; a win over #1 ranked Dan Marino led, Pitt Panthers in 1982, a 52 - 6 win over Purdue to start the 1983 season -- but a five-year career record of 30-26-1 led to his resignation. You can never deny that Gerry Faust loves Notre Dame -- and Notre Dame loves Gerry Faust. In fact, Coach Faust was at the Hammes Notre Dame Bookstore this past Saturday (for the umpteenth time) signing copies of his book The Golden Dream. I don't think we'll be seeing Bob Davie, Ty Willingham or Charlie Weis -- anytime soon -- signing copies of their book about their Notre Dame experience, sitting in the stands at Notre Dame games or walking the campus on a football Saturday. These days, Gerry works as a motivational speaker -- click on the link below to see him tell a very funny story at a conference. There's also two links below to a two-part feature that ESPN ran in 2007 on Gerry Faust's career at Notre Dame - A MUST SEE. Coach Faust, will always be a favorite to many Notre Dame fans. To prove my point, here's a photo taken this Saturday morning of an Irish fan on campus, just hours before kick-off of the Brian Kelly era.

LINK: GERRY FAUST -- TELLING A NOTRE DAME STORY

LINK: THE GOLDEN DREAM #1 - ESPN

LINK: THE GOLDEN DREAM #2 - ESPN