History of Notre Dame Fighting Irish football in Timeline

The Notre Dame Fighting Irish football team represents the University of Notre Dame, located north of South Bend, Indiana. They compete at the NCAA Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS) level as one of the few independent programs. Their home games are played at Notre Dame Stadium, which has a seating capacity of 77,622. While independent in football, Notre Dame maintains an affiliation with the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) and plays five games annually against ACC opponents.

1908: First Touchdown Pass

In 1908, Fay Wood caught the first touchdown pass in Notre Dame history during the game against Franklin.

1909: First Victory Over Michigan

In 1909, Notre Dame achieved their first victory over Michigan, with a score of 11–3, leading to a 33-year hiatus in the rivalry.

1910: Michigan Cancels Game

After losing to Notre Dame in 1909, Michigan canceled the game scheduled for 1910 and refused to play the Irish again.

1912: Record of 108-31-13

By the end of the 1912 season, Notre Dame's football team had amassed a record of 108 wins, 31 losses, and 13 ties.

November 1, 1913: Notre Dame Stuns Army with Forward Pass

On November 1, 1913, Notre Dame, led by Gus Dorais and Knute Rockne, defeated Army 35–13, showcasing the modern forward pass and transforming college football.

1913: Jesse Harper Becomes Head Coach

In 1913, Jesse Harper became the head coach of Notre Dame, initiating rivalries with Army and Michigan State.

1917: Jesse Harper Retires

Jesse Harper retired as head coach in 1917, after coaching for five years.

September 28, 1918: Rockne's Coaching Debut

On September 28, 1918, Knute Rockne made his coaching debut against Case Tech in Cleveland, Ohio, securing a 26–6 victory.

1918: Knute Rockne Becomes Head Coach

In 1918, Knute Rockne became the head coach for the Fighting Irish.

1919: Undefeated Season

In 1919, Notre Dame had an undefeated season and was one of four teams selected for the national championship, although Notre Dame does not claim it.

December 14, 1920: Death of George Gipp

George Gipp died on December 14, 1920, at age 25. He likely contracted strep throat and pneumonia after giving punting lessons. He was also named Notre Dame's first All-American by Walter Camp just two weeks prior.

1921: Mohardt Leads Passing Attack

In 1921, John Mohardt led Notre Dame to a 10–1 record, pioneering the use of the forward pass as a primary offensive strategy.

1924: Elmer Layden was One of the "Four Horsemen"

Elmer Layden, who later became head coach, was one of Knute Rockne's "Four Horsemen" of 1924.

1924: National Championship with Four Horsemen

In 1924, Notre Dame's team, featuring the "Four Horsemen", achieved an undefeated 10–0 season and won the Rose Bowl, securing the national championship.

1925: Rose Bowl Win

In 1925, Knute Rockne led Notre Dame to victory in the Rose Bowl.

1926: Loss to Carnegie Tech Due to Coaching Blunder

In 1926, Notre Dame lost to Carnegie Tech due to Rockne's absence, as he was in Chicago to write newspaper articles. The upset cost the Irish a chance for a national title.

1928: "Win One for the Gipper" Speech

In 1928, Knute Rockne delivered the "Win one for the Gipper" speech, inspiring Notre Dame to upset Army 12–6.

1929: Road Games During Stadium Construction

In 1929, the Notre Dame football team played all its games on the road while the new Notre Dame Stadium was under construction.

December 14, 1930: Rockne's Last Game

On December 14, 1930, Rockne coached his last game, leading a group of Notre Dame all-stars against the New York Giants to raise funds for the unemployed.

1930: National Championship

In 1930, the Notre Dame team, led by Frank Carideo, Joe Savoldi, Marchy Schwartz, and Marty Brill, went undefeated and won a national championship.

March 31, 1931: Death of Knute Rockne

On March 31, 1931, Knute Rockne died in a plane crash in Kansas while en route to assist in the production of "The Spirit of Notre Dame".

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1931: Hunk Anderson Takes Over as Head Coach

In 1931, Heartley "Hunk" Anderson became the head coach after Knute Rockne's death; the team lost to USC, ending a 26-game unbeaten streak and finished 6-2-1.

1933: First Losing Season Since 1888

In 1933, Notre Dame had its first losing season since 1888, finishing with a 3–5–2 record and a four-game losing streak. Anderson resigned as head coach to take the head football coach position at NC State after the season.

1935: Line Coach at Fordham University

After graduating from Notre Dame, Frank Leahy held several coaching positions, including line coach of the Seven Blocks of Granite of Fordham University that helped that team win all but two of their games between 1935 and 1937.

1935: "Game of the Century" Victory Over Ohio State

In 1935, Elmer Layden's squad defeated Ohio State 18–13 in a game billed as the "Game of the Century".

1937: Line Coach at Fordham University

1938: National Championship by the Dickinson System

In 1938, Notre Dame finished 8–1, losing only to USC, but was named national champion by the Dickinson System.

1940: Layden Becomes NFL Commissioner

After the 1940 season, Elmer Layden left Notre Dame to become the Commissioner of the National Football League.

1941: Frank Leahy's First Season

Frank Leahy began coaching the team in 1941, leading the Irish to finish in the AP top 10.

1941: Frank Leahy Hired as Head Coach

In 1941, Notre Dame hired Boston College head coach Frank Leahy, ushering in a new era of success. In 1941, Leahy also coached the Boston College Eagles to a share of the national championship.

1943: National Championship and Heisman Trophy

In 1943, Frank Leahy's team captured Notre Dame's fourth national championship, and Angelo Bertelli won the Heisman Trophy.

1943: Notre Dame and Michigan Meet Again

In 1943, Notre Dame and Michigan met again, after a long hiatus. By this time, Elmer Layden had left Notre Dame and Frank Leahy had taken his place.

1944: McKeever Interim Head Coach

In 1944, Edward McKeever served as interim head coach while Leahy served in the Navy, leading the team to 8 wins and 2 losses.

1945: Devore Interim Head Coach

In 1945, Hugh Devore replaced McKeever as interim head coach, leading the Irish to a 7–2–1 record.

1946: Leahy Returns After Military Service

Frank Leahy returned to coaching in 1946 after serving in the U.S. Navy during World War II.

1953: Leahy Coaches Last Season

Frank Leahy coached his last season in 1953.

1986: Worst record since Holtz's first season

In 1994, Holtz led Notre Dame to a 6-5-1 record, the Irish's worst record since Holtz's first season in 1986.

1987: Notre Dame has 65 players drafted to NFL

From 1987-1995 NFL drafts, there were a total of 65 Notre Dame players selected.

1987: Holtz leads Irish to 8-4 record; Tim Brown wins Heisman

In 1987, Coach Holtz led the Notre Dame Fighting Irish to an 8-4 record. That season, wide receiver Tim Brown became the seventh Notre Dame player to win the Heisman Trophy. Brown is the team's most recent Heisman winner to date.

1987: Irish lose back-to-back games to Penn State

The 1991 Fighting Irish began the season 8-1, but lost back-to-back games for the first time since 1987 when they again lost to Penn State. The Irish would receive a berth in the Sugar Bowl in New Orleans, Louisiana, where they defeated Florida by a score of 39–28.

1988: Notre Dame wins National Championship

The 1988 season saw Notre Dame achieve an undefeated season and win the national championship. The Irish upset the Miami Hurricanes 31-30. Holtz was named national coach of the year, and the team defeated West Virginia in the Fiesta Bowl, capturing their 11th national championship.

1989: Holtz's option offense helps recruit future NFL players

During the 1989 season, Coach Holtz had several future NFL players on offense, including Rick Mirer, Ricky Watters, Anthony Johnson, Rodney Culver, Dorsey Levens, and Raghib Ismail, helping catapult Notre Dame to many victories.

1989: Irish finish season 12-1, win Orange Bowl

In 1989, Notre Dame, led by Coach Holtz, achieved a 12-1 record. The Irish started the season with a win against Virginia in the Kickoff Classic and rose to the #1 spot in the AP Poll. After losing to Miami, Notre Dame won the Orange Bowl against Colorado, finishing #2 in the AP poll.

1990: Holtz adds Jeff Burris, Jerome Bettis and Irv Smith to team

In 1990, Coach Holtz added RB Jeff Burris, FB Jerome Bettis, and TE Irv Smith to the team, adding to the list of future NFL players.

1990: Irish lose to Penn State and Colorado

In 1990, after starting the season with a #1 ranking and a 3-0 record, Notre Dame lost to Stanford. Later in the season, the Irish lost to Penn State and Colorado in the Orange Bowl, preventing them from national championship contention.

1991: Holtz adds Reggie Brooks and Ray Zellars to team

In 1991, Coach Holtz added RB Reggie Brooks and FB Ray Zellars to the team, adding to the list of future NFL players.

1991: NBC televising Notre Dame home games

In 1991, NBC began televising Notre Dame home games, marking a significant broadcast partnership.

1991: Irish defeat Florida in Sugar Bowl

In 1991, after losing back-to-back games, the Irish received a berth in the Sugar Bowl in New Orleans, Louisiana, where they defeated Florida by a score of 39–28.

1992: Holtz adds Derrick Mayes to team

In 1992, Coach Holtz added WR Derrick Mayes to the team, adding to the list of future NFL players.

1992: Irish finish 10-1-1, win Cotton Bowl

In 1992, Notre Dame finished with a 10-1-1 record. The Fighting Irish tied with Michigan, their first tie of the Holtz era. They had their largest win in history against Purdue, and won the Cotton Bowl against Texas A&M.

1993: Holtz adds Marc Edwards to team

In 1993, Coach Holtz added FB Marc Edwards to the team, adding to the list of future NFL players.

1993: Irish finish #2 in AP poll

In 1993, the Irish finished the season at 11-1. They defeated Florida State, ascending to the #1 ranking. However, a loss to Boston College ended their national championship aspirations. The Irish finished #2 in the AP poll behind Florida State, a team they had beaten.

1994: Bob Davie becomes Holtz's defensive coordinator

From 1994 to 1996, Bob Davie served as Lou Holtz's defensive coordinator.

1994: Irish finish with 6-5-1 record

In 1994, Holtz led Notre Dame to a 6-5-1 record, the Irish's worst record since Holtz's first season.

June 1995: Dunbar romantically involved with football players

From June 1995 to January 1998, Kimberly Dunbar became romantically involved with several Notre Dame football players.

1995: Davie fills in as head coach for one game

In 1995, Bob Davie filled in as head coach for one game while Lou Holtz dealt with a health issue.

1995: Holtz adds Autry Denson to team

In 1995, Coach Holtz added RB Autry Denson to the team, adding to the list of future NFL players.

1995: Irish lose to Florida State in Orange Bowl

In 1995, the Irish improved to 9-3, but lost to #8 Florida State in the Orange Bowl.

1996: Holtz retires from Notre Dame

Coach Lou Holtz retired from Notre Dame following the 1996 season after one undefeated season and nine consecutive New Year's Day bowl games.

1996: Bob Davie is Holtz's defensive coordinator

From 1994 to 1996, Bob Davie served as Lou Holtz's defensive coordinator.

1996: Holtz's final season at Notre Dame

Lou Holtz's final season at Notre Dame in 1996 resulted in an 8-3 record. The season included Notre Dame's first participation in the Emerald Isle Classic in Ireland and an overtime loss to USC.

1996: Urban Meyer Irish assistant

Urban Meyer had been an Irish assistant from 1996 to 2000.

1997: Irish suffer bowl game loss

In 1997, under head coach Bob Davie, the team suffered a bowl game loss at the Independence Bowl.

January 1998: Dunbar romantically involved with football players

From June 1995 to January 1998, Kimberly Dunbar became romantically involved with several Notre Dame football players.

1998: Irish upset #5 Michigan

In 1998, under head coach Bob Davie, the Irish had a 36-20 upset win over #5 Michigan.

December 17, 1999: Notre Dame placed on probation by NCAA

On December 17, 1999, Notre Dame was placed on probation by the NCAA due to violations including a booster lavishing gifts on football players and a player trying to sell game tickets.

1999: Holtz accepts head coaching position at South Carolina

In 1999, Coach Lou Holtz unretired to accept the head coaching position at South Carolina.

1999: Irish suffer bowl game loss

In 1999, under head coach Bob Davie, the team suffered a bowl game loss at the Gator Bowl and also failed to qualify for a bowl game.

2000: Irish comeback bid falls short in overtime against Nebraska

In 2000, Notre Dame, under Coach Davie, almost defeated top-ranked Nebraska, but the comeback bid fell short in overtime, with a final score of 27-24.

2000: Urban Meyer Irish assistant

Urban Meyer had been an Irish assistant from 1996 to 2000.

December 9, 2001: Notre Dame hires George O'Leary

On December 9, 2001, Notre Dame hired George O'Leary as head coach. O'Leary resigned five days later due to misrepresentations in his resume.

2001: Irish finish No. 15 in AP Poll, Davie's highest ranking

In 2001, Notre Dame lost to Oregon State in the Fiesta Bowl but finished No. 15 in the AP Poll, which was Coach Davie's highest ranking as head coach.

2001: Irish suffer bowl game loss

In 2001, under head coach Bob Davie, the team suffered a bowl game loss at the Fiesta Bowl and also failed to qualify for a bowl game.

2002: Willingham leads Irish to 10-2 regular season record

In 2002, Tyrone Willingham led Notre Dame to a 10-2 regular season record, including an 8-0 start with wins over Michigan and Florida State, and a #4 ranking.

November 30, 2004: Willingham fired

On November 30, 2004, after the conclusion of the 2004 season, Notre Dame terminated Tyrone Willingham's contract due to subpar recruiting efforts and a third consecutive four-touchdown loss to USC.