Notre Dame coach Gerry Faust dead at age 89

Notre Dame Athletics confirmed on Tuesday that the legendary Fighting Irish head coach died. Faust coached the Notre Dame football team from 1981 to 1985 and ended his career with a 30-26-1 record, according to an emailed statement from the school. Faust became a fixture of Notre Dame football after his retirement, the school said. The late coach led the University of Akron football team in Ohio after leaving Notre Dame. Under Faust’s leadership, the Zips grew into a Division I team in the NCAA, with a 43-53-3 record.

The coach is also known for his successful record coaching at Archbishop Moeller High School in Cincinnati, winning 174 games with only 17 losses over 18 seasons, before coaching at the collegiate level. About 250 of Faust’s players at Moeller went on to receive college football scholarships, according to Notre Dame’s statement. Moeller named an athletic complex after Faust and erected an 8-foot statue of its namesake in front of the building. Faust was a faithful practicing Catholic with a distinct love for Mary, the mother of Jesus, according to the statue’s plaque. He used his time and limitless energy to help others, it added.

He is remembered by his wife of 60 years, Marlene, his three children, his seven grandchildren, and his brother.