Rockne Takes The Reigns

Author: Jane Morrow

Coach Knute Rockne and team Ninety-four years ago, Knute Rockne took the reigns as Notre Dame head football coach.

After Knute Rockne graduated from Notre Dame in 1914, he worked as an assistant in the Department of Chemistry while also helping head coach Jesse Harper with the football team.

On Sept. 28, 1918, Rockne made his debut, helping Notre Dame defeat Case Tech, 26-6. Over the course of 13 seasons, he led the Irish to 105 victories, and his lifetime winning percentage of .881 still ranks first in college and professional football. Read more about this story and other historic moments in the Notre Dame football program’s history as we celebrate its 125th year.