(Notre Dame Media Relations)
In 1964 when Ara Parseghian had been hired, another successful head coach had been Notre Dame’s second choice. Dan Devine had been winning football games at Missouri since 1958 and was interested in the ND job. When Ara then retired after the 1974 season, Dan Devine became ND’s first choice. Afterall, Devine had added NFL experience to his resume in the interim years with four seasons in Green Bay.
When the offer came Dan Devine headed to South Bend.
Known as a master motivator and stickler for detail, Devine picked up where Ara had left off he had success immediately. Eight wins in his first season and then nine in 1976. That season concluded with a Gator Bowl victory over Penn State, and was a win that led to high expectations for his next team.
It took that 1977 team a while but after suffering an early season upset loss at Mississippi, Notre Dame, with Joe Montana at quarterback, went on a roll. Devine’s Irish ended the season by beating number one and previously undefeated Texas, in the Cotton Bowl, 38-10 to claim the National Championship.
After that, Devine enjoyed more success. Few wins are as well known in Notre Dame football lore than his Cotton Bowl victory in 1978. That contest is better remembered as “the chicken soup game” and featured an ailing Joe Montana leading a 23 point 4th quarter comeback against Houston in icy and frigid conditions.
In August of 1980, Devine announced that his sixth season would be his last. That final team made a run at another national title before dropping their last two games, including a 17-10 Sugar Bowl loss to eventual national champion, Georgia.
Dan Devine closed out his six season run at ND with a record of 53-16-1. He was elected to the College Football Hall of Fame in 1985.
Dan Devine, another Fighting Irish Preview, All-Time Irish Hero.