SOUTH BEND, Ind. — Gerry Faust, who served as Notre Dame’s football trainer from 1981 to 1985, passed away on Monday at the age of 89. His family verified the news in a statement, describing him as a loving hubby, father, forefather, and trainer who devoted his life to his family, faith, and the players he guided.
A Challenging term at Notre Dame
Faust’s five- time stint as head trainer of the Fighting Irish came at a time of transition for the program, rammed between the public crown- winning tours of trainers Dan Devine and Lou Holtz. Hired at age 45 after a largely successful career at Archbishop Moeller High School in Cincinnati, Faust plodded to replicate that success at the council position. His record at Notre Dame was 30-26-1(.535), with his brigades passing a blend of frustrating seasons and occasional success.
In his first and final seasons, Faust’s outfits finished 5- 6, marking the program’s first losing records since 1963. still, during the middle times of his term, the Irish posted winning records, including a notable worried palm over 13th- ranked Boston College in the 1983 Liberty Bowl. Faust’s brigades also shared in the Aloha Bowl and recorded a 7- 5 season in both 1983 and 1984, but they noway relatively met the prospects of Notre Dame suckers.
Despite entering each of Faust’s five seasons in the Associated Press preseason rankings with three appearances in the Top 10 — Notre Dame finished each time unranked. Faust’s term also saw multiple losing seasons, a oddity for the program, and he remains one of only two Notre Dame coaches to have endured similar struggles, alongside Bob Davie( 1999 and 2001).
A Coach Who Loved Notre Dame
Allen Pinkett, a former running back who played under Faust from 1982 to 1985, reflected on Faust’s deep love for Notre Dame. “ You wo n’t find a joe who loved a academy more, wanted to win more, ” Pinkett told the South Bend Tribune in June 2023. “ He just did n’t know how to do it, and it was kind of illegal to him to bring him straight from high academy. ” Pinkett, now Notre Dame’s second each- time leading crawler, also noted the frustration of having so important gift but noway relatively reaching the program’s full eventuality under Faust.
Larry Williams, a two- time alternate- platoon each- America obnoxious lineman under Faust, described him as an energetic and upbeat trainer who gradationally set up further comfort in his part. “ Gerry was always a veritably upbeat person, ” Williams recalled. “ He was surely more comfortable his alternate time, and his obnoxious schemes started to take hold. ” still, Williams conceded that the transition from high academy to major council football was a steep challenge for Faust, who occasionally plodded to balance his positive coaching style with the discipline needed at that position.
A Hall of Fame High School Career
Before his time at Notre Dame, Faust had a fabulous career at Archbishop Moeller High School, where he collected a remarkable record of 178-23-2, including five Ohio state crowns in his final six seasons. His Moeller brigades were frequently regarded as public titleholders, and numerous of his former players, including Bob Crable, Tony Hunter, and Tim Koegel, went on to play for Notre Dame.
Despite the success at Moeller, the vault to council football proved to be too grueling for Faust, and his time at Notre Dame ended after a disappointing 58- 7 loss to Miami in the 1985 season homestretch.
A heritage of Faith, Leadership, and Service
Faust’s coaching career continued for nine further seasons at Akron, where he amassed a 43-53-3 record. Although his term at Akron did n’t replicate his high academy success, Faust’s heritage as a tutor and leader endured. His impact was felt not just on the football field, but also in the lives of the youthful men he counseled .
His family’s statement on his passing emphasized his devotion to his unqualified faith, his work heritage, and his sanguinity.” He was a cherished tutor to innumerous youthful men both on and off the playing field,” the family said.” His leadership and modesty were fabulous, and he leaves behind a heritage of perseverance, compassion, and alleviation.”
Faust’s heritage will be flashed back not only for his time as a trainer but also for the profound particular influence he’d on those around him.” While utmost knew him as a trainer, we will long flash back him as a awful father and forefather who inspired us through illustration to live our stylish lives.”
A Shared heritage with John Robinson
Faust passed away on the same day as former USC trainer John Robinson, who was also 89. During Faust’s term, Notre Dame faced Robinson’s USC brigades doubly, losing both games by narrow perimeters — 14- 7 in 1981 and 17- 13 in 1982.
Gerry Faust’s life and career, marked by both challenges and triumphs, left an unforgettable mark on Notre Dame football and the players he guided, making him a cherished figure in the sport.
