Ara Parseghian

Parseghian was the youngest of three children born to an Armenian father and a French mother in Akron, Ohio.{{sfn|Dent|2009|p=89}} His father Michael had come to the United States from the Ottoman Empire in 1915, fleeing the Armenian genocide during World War I and settling in Akron where there was a sizeable Armenian population.{{sfn|Dent|2009|p=89}} Despite his mother's protectiveness, Parseghian became involved in sports from an early age and developed a reputation as the toughest kid in his class.{{sfn|Dent|2009|p=90}} He was hired by Akron's Board of Education in the eighth grade to patrol his school's grounds at night to deter vandals.{{sfn|Dent|2009|pp=90–91}}

Parseghian played basketball at the local YMCA but did not play organized football until his junior year at South High School in Akron because his mother would not allow him to participate in contact sports.{{cite magazine|last=Furlong|first=William Barry|title='It's A Naturalness. It's Me'|magazine=Sports Illustrated|date=September 21, 1959|pages=128–140|url=http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/vault/article/magazine/MAG1133873/1/index.htm|archive-url=https://archive.today/20130307235735/http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/vault/article/magazine/MAG1133873/1/index.htm|url-status=dead|archive-date=March 7, 2013|access-date=July 6, 2013}} He joined his high school team, coached by Frank "Doc" Wargo, initially without his parents' permission.{{sfn|Dent|2009|p=91}}

After graduating in 1942, Parseghian enrolled at the University of Akron.{{sfn|Dent|2009|p=91}}{{cite web |title=Parseghian, Ara |url=http://www.indiana-football.org/?q=node/548 |publisher=Indiana Football Hall of Fame |access-date=July 6, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150518085630/http://www.indiana-football.org/?q=node%2F548 |archive-date=May 18, 2015 |url-status=live }} American involvement in World War II began after the attack on Pearl Harbor in 1941, however, and he quit school to join the U.S. Navy.{{sfn|Dent|2009|p=91}} The Navy transferred him for training to Naval Station Great Lakes near Chicago, where Paul Brown was coaching a service football team.{{sfn|Dent|2009|pp=91–92}} Brown was a well-known high school coach in Ohio, having led his Massillon Washington High School teams to a series of state championships.{{sfn|Dent|2009|p=92}} Parseghian was named the team's starting fullback before the 1944 season, but he was sidelined with an ankle injury and did not play in any games as Great Lakes amassed a 9–2–1 record and was ranked 17th in the nation in the AP Poll.{{sfn|Dent|2009|p=92}} Parseghian later said that despite not playing, watching Brown's methodical and strict coaching methods – and the ease with which he commanded players much larger than he was – was a "priceless" experience.{{sfn|Dent|2009|p=92}}

After his military service, Parseghian enrolled at Miami of Ohio and played halfback on the school's football team in 1946 and 1947 under coach Sid Gillman.{{sfn|Dent|2009|p=92}} As with Brown, Parseghian paid close attention to Gillman, a post-war football pioneer who helped popularize deep downfield passes as the T formation came into vogue.{{sfn|Dent|2009|p=92}} He was named an All-Ohio halfback and a Little All-American by sportswriters in 1947.{{cite web|title=Ara R. Parseghian Profile |url=http://www.nusports.com/genrel/parseghian_arar00.html |publisher=Northwestern University |access-date=July 6, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150601133127/http://www.nusports.com/genrel/parseghian_arar00.html |archive-date=June 1, 2015 |url-status=live }}

Parseghian was selected by the Pittsburgh Steelers of the National Football League in the 13th round of the 1947 draft.{{cite web|title=Ara Parseghian NFL Football Statistics |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/P/ParsAr20.htm |publisher=Pro Football Reference |access-date=July 6, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130718185351/http://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/P/ParsAr20.htm |archive-date=July 18, 2013 |url-status=live }} He was also selected by the Cleveland Browns of the rival All-America Football Conference (AAFC), a team coached by Paul Brown, his old Great Lakes coach. Parseghian left Miami with six semester credit hours remaining and signed with the Browns.

Parseghian played halfback and defensive back for the Browns starting in 1948.{{sfn|Piascik|2007|p=107}} While he only started one game that season, he was part of a potent offensive backfield that featured quarterback Otto Graham and fullback Marion Motley.{{sfn|Piascik|2007|pp=107–110}} The Browns won all of their games and a third straight AAFC championship in 1948.{{sfn|Piascik|2007|pp=118–119}} Parseghian suffered a serious injury to his hip in the second game of the 1949 season against the Baltimore Colts, however, ending his playing career.{{sfn|Dent|2009|p=93}} He stayed with the Browns for the rest of the season, and the team went on to win another AAFC championship.{{sfn|Piascik|2007|p=146}} With the Browns, he had 44 carries for 166 yards, three receptions for 33 yards, scored two touchdowns, and intercepted one pass.

Parseghian's injury and the end of his professional playing career were a source of frustration, but he soon got the chance to move into the coaching ranks.{{sfn|Dent|2009|p=94}} Woody Hayes, the head coach at Miami of Ohio, contacted him about a job as coach of the freshman team.{{sfn|Dent|2009|p=94}} He was recommended for the position by athletic director John Brickels, who had been an assistant coach with the Browns in 1948.{{sfn|Dent|2009|p=94}} Parseghian led the freshmen to a 4–0 record in the 1950 season and was chosen the following year as Hayes's successor when Hayes departed to become head coach at Ohio State University.

Parseghian's teams at Miami consistently did well in the Mid-American Conference, posting a 7–3 record in 1951 and improving to 8–1 the following year.{{Cite web |title=Ara R. Parseghian Records by Year |url=http://www.cfbdatawarehouse.com/data/coaching/alltime_coach_year_by_year.php?coachid=1823 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130927180941/http://www.cfbdatawarehouse.com/data/coaching/alltime_coach_year_by_year.php?coachid=1823 |archive-date=September 27, 2013 |access-date=July 7, 2013 |publisher=College Football Data Warehouse}} Miami's Redskins (now known as RedHawks) were conference champions in 1954 and in 1955, when they went undefeated.{{cite web |title=1954 |url=http://www.cfbdatawarehouse.com/data/coaching/alltime_coach_game_by_game.php?coachid=1823&year=1954 |publisher=College Football Data Warehouse |access-date=July 7, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140321064339/http://www.cfbdatawarehouse.com/data/coaching/alltime_coach_game_by_game.php?coachid=1823&year=1954 |archive-date=March 21, 2014 |url-status=dead }}{{cite web |title=1955 |url=http://www.cfbdatawarehouse.com/data/coaching/alltime_coach_game_by_game.php?coachid=1823&year=1955 |publisher=College Football Data Warehouse |access-date=July 7, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140321064530/http://www.cfbdatawarehouse.com/data/coaching/alltime_coach_game_by_game.php?coachid=1823&year=1955 |archive-date=March 21, 2014 |url-status=dead }} Parseghian's success, which included two wins over larger Big Ten Conference schools, raised his profile nationally as a head coaching prospect.{{cite news|title=Parseghian To Coach Northwestern|newspaper=Cleveland Plain Dealer|date=December 17, 1955|agency=Associated Press|location=Evanston, Ill.|page=25}} In late 1955, he was hired to coach at Northwestern University in Evanston, Illinois, one of the Big Ten schools Miami had beaten. Parseghian compiled a 39–6–1 record in five seasons at Miami.

Northwestern's football program was in transition when Parseghian arrived in 1956 to take over the coaching reins. Bob Voigts had quit as head coach in February 1955, leaving his assistant Lou Saban to guide the team. Under Saban, a former Browns teammate of Parseghian's, Northwestern finished at 0–8–1, the worst-ever record in its history at the time.{{cite web|title=A History of Football At Northwestern: Ara Parseghian: 1956–1963 |url=http://exhibits.library.northwestern.edu/archives/exhibits/football/7.html |publisher=Northwestern University |access-date=July 8, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110709103735/http://exhibits.library.northwestern.edu/archives/exhibits/football/7.html |archive-date=July 9, 2011 |url-status=live |date=September 17, 2000 }} Ted Payseur, the school's athletic director, resigned after the season under pressure from alumni and was replaced by Stu Holcomb. One of Holcomb's first moves was to fire Saban and replace him with Parseghian.

File:1956 Northwestern Wildcats football coaching staff (Parseghian, Schembechler, Agase).jpg

Parseghian was the 20th head coach of the Northwestern Wildcats football team and was the youngest coach in the Big Ten when he took the job at 32 years old. His Northwestern career began in 1956 with just one win in his first six games. The Wildcats put together three wins at the end of the season, however, and finished with a 4–4–1 record.{{cite web|title=Northwestern Yearly Results |url=http://www.cfbdatawarehouse.com/data/div_ia/bigten/northwestern/1955-1959_yearly_results.php |publisher=College Football Data Warehouse |access-date=July 8, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130622200601/http://www.cfbdatawarehouse.com/data/div_ia/bigten/northwestern/1955-1959_yearly_results.php |archive-date=June 22, 2013 |url-status=dead }} Northwestern proceeded to lose all nine of its games in the 1957 season. Bo Schembechler—a member of the 1957 Northwestern staff and teammate of Parshegian's at Miami—called Parshegian's performance during the 1957 season the best job of coaching Schembechler ever witnessed. Despite the losses (many of them by close margins), Parshegian kept his team united and focused. That crucible set the stage for a much more successful campaign in 1958, when Northwestern finished with a 5–4 record that included victories over conference rivals Michigan and Ohio State.{{sfn|LaTourette|2005|pp=70–71}}

Northwestern began the 1959 season in the top ten in the AP Poll and started with a 45–13 win over Oklahoma, then the top-ranked team in the country.{{sfn|LaTourette|2005|p=71}} It was the first of a string of victories that propelled Northwestern to the number-two spot in the AP Poll.{{sfn|LaTourette|2005|p=71}} Led by quarterback John Talley and star halfback Ron Burton, the team beat Michigan again and won a match-up in October against Notre Dame, a school Northwestern had not played since 1948.{{sfn|LaTourette|2005|p=71}} Three straight losses at the end of the season ended the team's run at the conference championship, however.{{sfn|LaTourette|2005|p=71}}

The following four seasons brought a mix of success and challenges. Parseghian's best year at Northwestern was in 1962, when the team finished at 7–2.{{cite web|title=Northwestern Yearly Results |url=http://www.cfbdatawarehouse.com/data/div_ia/bigten/northwestern/1960-1964_yearly_results.php |publisher=College Football Data Warehouse |access-date=July 8, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130622200606/http://www.cfbdatawarehouse.com/data/div_ia/bigten/northwestern/1960-1964_yearly_results.php |archive-date=June 22, 2013 |url-status=dead }} Parseghian was a shrewd recruiter, using Northwestern's small budget to find versatile players overlooked by the bigger rival programs.{{sfn|LaTourette|2005|p=71}} In 1962, he put his faith in sophomore quarterback Tom Myers to guide the team.{{cite magazine|last=Creamer|first=Robert|title=Ara Parseghian's Gamble|magazine=Sports Illustrated|date=November 5, 1962|page=29|url=http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/vault/article/magazine/MAG1147960/index.htm|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121103113444/http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/vault/article/magazine/MAG1147960/index.htm|url-status=dead|archive-date=November 3, 2012|access-date=July 11, 2013}} Myers, aided by a big offensive line and by star receiver Paul Flatley, led a passing attack that helped Northwestern to the top of the AP Poll in the middle of the season following wins against Ohio State and Notre Dame.{{sfn|LaTourette|2005|p=72}} Parseghian called the close win against Hayes and Ohio State "one of Northwestern's greatest victories".{{sfn|LaTourette|2005|p=73}} The following week's Notre Dame game drew a 55,752 people, which remained the largest crowd ever to see a home game at Northwestern as of 2005.{{sfn|LaTourette|2005|p=73}} Despite those wins, late-season losses to Michigan State and Wisconsin cost the team a chance at the Big Ten championship.{{sfn|LaTourette|2005|p=71}}

At Northwestern, Parseghian developed a reputation as an affable, down-to-earth coach. While he took his job seriously, he cultivated an informal rapport with players, who called him "Ara" rather than "coach" or "Mr. Parseghian". Given his closeness in age to many of the players, he "empathizes with us well", Northwestern tackle Andy Cvercko said in 1959. Parseghian occasionally joined in practices with the players and organized games of touch football. He had other quirks, like lowering the intensity of practices as game day approached to let the players "build up psychologically", something he learned from Paul Brown.

Parseghian remained at Northwestern for eight seasons until 1963.{{sfn|LaTourette|2005|p=73}} His career coaching record there was 36–35–1.{{cite web|title=Northwestern Coaching Records |url=http://www.cfbdatawarehouse.com/data/div_ia/bigten/northwestern/coaching_records.php |publisher=College Football Data Warehouse |access-date=July 11, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130623073021/http://www.cfbdatawarehouse.com/data/div_ia/bigten/northwestern/coaching_records.php |archive-date=June 23, 2013 |url-status=dead }} This ranks him third at Northwestern in total wins and ninth at Northwestern in winning percentage. Parseghian's teams beat Notre Dame four straight times after their annual series was renewed in 1959 following a decade-long hiatus.{{sfn|LaTourette|2005|pp=71–73}}

Toward the end of his tenure at Northwestern, Parseghian grew frustrated by the school's limited financial resources, curbs on football scholarships, and academic standards for athletes that were more stringent than at other Big Ten schools.{{sfn|Dent|2009|p=66}} He also clashed with athletic director Holcomb, who told him in 1963 that his contract would not be renewed after that season despite coaching the team to within two wins of a national championship the previous year.{{sfn|Dent|2009|pp=69–70}} "I took them to the top of the polls in 1962, and that was not good enough for Northwestern", Parseghian said many years later.{{sfn|Dent|2009|p=70}}

Parseghian's coaching career at Northwestern was approaching its end in 1963. In November of that year, he called Father Edmund Joyce, the vice president and chairman of the athletics board at Notre Dame, a Catholic university near South Bend, Indiana.{{sfn|Dent|2009|p=70}} He asked whether interim head football coach Hugh Devore was going to be given the job on a longer-term basis.{{sfn|Dent|2009|p=70}} When Joyce said the university was searching for a new coach, Parseghian expressed an interest in the job.{{sfn|Dent|2009|p=70}} Joyce did not immediately seem warm to the idea, however, and Parseghian explored an offer to coach at the University of Miami in Florida, where his old friend Andy Gustafson had been promoted from head coach to athletic director.{{sfn|Dent|2009|p=71}} Notre Dame was also considering Dan Devine for its coaching job but ultimately offered it to Parseghian.{{sfn|Dent|2009|pp=75–76}} Parseghian waffled at first, recalling his father's misguided anti-Catholicism, but accepted in December and was given a salary of about $20,000 a year (${{formatnum:{{Inflation|US|20000|1963}}}} today).{{sfn|Dent|2009|pp=79–80}}

Parseghian's candidacy for the head coaching job at Notre Dame was unusual because he was not a Notre Dame graduate, as every head coach since Knute Rockne had been.{{cite news|last=Hamilton |first=Brian |title=Notre Dame legend: Ara Parseghian |url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/2013/01/02/notre-dame-legend-ara-parseghian/ |access-date=July 12, 2013 |newspaper=Chicago Tribune |date=January 2, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130111132033/http://articles.chicagotribune.com/2013-01-02/sports/ct-spt-0103-parseghian-notre-dame-legends--20130103_1_notre-dame-stadium-ara-parseghian-legend |archive-date=January 11, 2013 |url-status=live }} Parseghian was also an Armenian Presbyterian, making him the first non-Catholic coach since Rockne, who converted in 1925.{{sfn|Dent|2009|p=70}}{{cite news|title=New Era Is Underway At Notre Dame|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=110&dat=19631219&id=mGVPAAAAIBAJ&pg=3785,5347308|access-date=July 13, 2013|newspaper=Ludington Daily News|date=December 19, 1963|agency=Associated Press|location=South Bend, Ind.|page=8}} Before hiring Parseghian, Joyce made it clear that he did not care about Parseghian's religion but simply wanted someone who could lead the football team to success.{{sfn|Dent|2009|p=82}}

As had been the case at Northwestern, Notre Dame's football program was in a state of flux when Parseghian arrived. Notre Dame had built a proud history under Rockne and Frank Leahy (its two most successful coaches), but the late 1950s and early 1960s had been a disaster.{{sfn|Dent|2009|pp=18–22}} The team had finished 5–5 in 1962 under Joe Kuharich, who lost the confidence of his players and Notre Dame's administrators during his four years as coach.{{sfn|Dent|2009|pp=22–25}} Kuharich's surprise departure at the end of that season to become supervisor of officials in the National Football League, a position created by his friend and NFL commissioner Pete Rozelle, left the program in disarray.{{sfn|Dent|2009|pp=25–26}} Devore, a long-time Notre Dame employee who had played for Rockne and coached under Leahy, was brought in to lead the team on an interim basis in 1963.{{sfn|Dent|2009|p=39}} Notre Dame managed only a 2–7 finish that year.{{cite web|title=Notre Dame Yearly Results |url=http://www.cfbdatawarehouse.com/data/div_ia/independents/notre_dame/1960-1964_yearly_results.php |publisher=College Football Data Warehouse |access-date=July 12, 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130926115156/http://www.cfbdatawarehouse.com/data/div_ia/independents/notre_dame/1960-1964_yearly_results.php |archive-date=September 26, 2013 }}

Parseghian quickly turned the program around in 1964; he re-established a sense of confidence and team spirit that had been lost under Kuharich and Devore.{{sfn|Dent|2009|pp=83–84}} Practices were carefully planned and organized with the help of a coaching staff that consisted of three assistants from Northwestern and four former Notre Dame players.{{sfn|Dent|2009|p=96}} Parseghian listened to players' concerns about the program and addressed them.{{sfn|Dent|2009|p=87}} He invigorated the team's offense by favoring passing and bringing in smaller and quicker players.{{sfn|Dent|2009|pp=98–99}} A rule change allowing unlimited substitutions starting in 1964 helped make this strategy successful; fast-running receivers could now be taken out of the game and rested as others replaced them.{{sfn|Dent|2009|pp=97–98}}

Parseghian also recognized talent in quarterback John Huarte and wide receiver Jack Snow, who had been used only sparingly for two seasons by previous coaches.{{sfn|Dent|2009|pp=100–102}} Huarte could throw far and accurately but was soft-spoken, a trait Parseghian and his staff helped change.{{sfn|Dent|2009|p=108}} Snow was large for a receiver of his era, but Parseghian thought his athleticism and sure hands would make him a good wideout.{{sfn|Dent|2009|p=102}} Still, expectations were muted for the 1964 season: Parseghian told his coaches that the team would have a 6–4 record if they were lucky.{{sfn|Dent|2009|p=125}} Sports Illustrated predicted a 5–5 record at best, and the team did not rank among the top 20 programs in the country in the pre-season AP Poll.{{sfn|Dent|2009|pp=155, 159}}

Notre Dame nonetheless opened the season with a 31–7 victory over heavily favored Wisconsin, a game in which Huarte threw for more yards than the team's leading passer had over the entire 1963 season.{{sfn|Dent|2009|p=182}} Notre Dame players carried Parseghian off the field after the win, which vaulted the team to ninth place in the polls.{{sfn|Dent|2009|p=182}} A string of victories followed, first against Purdue and then Air Force and UCLA.{{sfn|Dent|2009|pp=197, 209, 215}} Notre Dame rose to first place in the national polls following a 40–0 win over Navy in October.{{sfn|Dent|2009|p=237}} The team went undefeated until the last game of the year against USC, who won 20–17 in the final minutes on a touchdown pass from Craig Fertig to Rod Sherman.{{sfn|Dent|2009|pp=271–273}} The loss unseated Notre Dame from the top ranking in the national polls, but the team still won the MacArthur Trophy, a championship awarded by the National Football Foundation.{{sfn|Dent|2009|pp=279–280}}

Huarte passed for 2,062 yards and set 12 school records in 1964, four of which still stood as of 2009.{{sfn|Dent|2009|p=283}} He also won the Heisman Trophy.{{sfn|Dent|2009|pp=254–256}} Snow led the country in receptions with 60.{{sfn|Dent|2009|p=283}} At the same time, Parseghian won numerous coach of the year awards for engineering the turnaround, including from the American Football Coaches Association, the Football Writers Association of America, the Washington Touchdown Club, the Columbus Touchdown Club, and Football News.{{cite news|title=Ara, Huarte Are Honored|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=41UaAAAAIBAJ&pg=2875,2609625&dq=parseghian+coach+of+the+year+football-news&hl=en|access-date=July 14, 2013|newspaper=The Milwaukee Journal|date=November 24, 1964|agency=Journal Wire Services|page=10}}{{Dead link|date=August 2024 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}

Huarte and Snow graduated after the 1964 season, and Notre Dame felt their absence the following year, posting a 7–2–1 record.{{sfn|Dent|2009|p=286}} While the team did not contend for a national title, defensive back Nick Rassas led the nation in punt returns and came in sixth in interceptions; he was named a first-team All-American by sportswriters.{{sfn|Dent|2009|p=286}}

In 1966, Parseghian guided Notre Dame to its first national championship since the Leahy era.{{cite web|title=1966 Football National Championship Team To Be Honored |url=http://www.und.com/sports/m-footbl/spec-rel/092806aaa.html |publisher=University of Notre Dame |access-date=July 14, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150521204533/http://www.und.com/sports/m-footbl/spec-rel/092806aaa.html |archive-date=May 21, 2015 |date=September 28, 2006 |url-status=live }} Led by quarterback Terry Hanratty, running back Nick Eddy, star receiver Jim Seymour, and fullback Larry Conjar, the offense was best in the nation in scoring, with an average of 36.2 points per game. The defense was second in the country in points allowed, thanks to strong performances by linebacker Jim Lynch and defensive end Alan Page.

The season began with eight straight victories, propelling Notre Dame to the top of the national polls.{{cite web|title=Notre Dame Yearly Results |url=http://www.cfbdatawarehouse.com/data/div_ia/independents/notre_dame/1965-1969_yearly_results.php |publisher=College Football Data Warehouse |access-date=July 14, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130926115102/http://www.cfbdatawarehouse.com/data/div_ia/independents/notre_dame/1965-1969_yearly_results.php |archive-date=September 26, 2013 |url-status=dead }}{{cite news|last=Weinreb |first=Michael |title=The Tie Will Be Unbroken |url=http://www.grantland.com/story/_/id/9221734/notre-dame-michigan-st-play-tie-1966 |access-date=July 14, 2013 |newspaper=Grantland |date=April 30, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130708073909/http://www.grantland.com/story/_/id/9221734/notre-dame-michigan-st-play-tie-1966 |archive-date=July 8, 2013 |url-status=live }} The team then faced Michigan State, which was ranked second in the polls and was also undefeated. The contest, one among a number referred to as the "game of the century", ended in a 10–10 tie. Parseghian was criticized for winding down the clock instead of trying to score despite having the ball in the final seconds of the game. He defended his strategy by maintaining that several key starters had been knocked out of action early in the game and that he did not want to spoil a courageous comeback from a 10–0 deficit by risking a turnover deep in his own territory late in the game.{{cite news|title='Expert' Critics Annoying Ara|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=92VQAAAAIBAJ&pg=4644,3626044&dq=parseghian+trojans&hl=en|access-date=July 14, 2013|newspaper=The Evening Independent|date=November 21, 1966|agency=Associated Press|location=South Bend, Ind.|page=17–A}} When Parseghian's team trounced USC 51–0 the following week, critics alleged that he ran up the score to impress poll voters who had split the number-one ranking between Notre Dame and Michigan State following the tie.{{sfn|Travers|2007|p=83}} Subsequent to the USC rout, the final wire service polls gave Parseghian's team the national championship, although Notre Dame continued its policy of not participating in a post-season bowl game. Nine members of the team were selected as All-Americans, and Parseghian was named coach of the year by Sporting News.{{sfn|Blevins|2012|p=54}}

Several winning seasons followed, but Notre Dame did not repeat as national champion in the late 1960s. In 1969, the team finished with an 8–2–1 record and accepted an invitation to play in the postseason Cotton Bowl.{{cite news|title=Notre Dame Bowl-Bound|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=kMZHAAAAIBAJ&pg=2739,2341407&dq=policy+bowl+notre+dame&hl=en|access-date=July 14, 2013|newspaper=Meriden Journal|date=November 17, 1969|agency=Associated Press|location=South Bend, Ind.|page=18}} With this game, the school ended a long-standing policy of not playing in bowl games. The university urgently needed money to fund minority scholarships and decided to use the proceeds from bowl games for this purpose. Parseghian's team lost the game, 21–17, to the eventual national champion Texas Longhorns.{{cite news|title=Cotton Sticks To Ball As Final Cure For Longhorn Ills|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=NcpaAAAAIBAJ&pg=7114,1062897&dq=cotton+bowl+notre+dame&hl=en|access-date=July 14, 2013|newspaper=St. Petersburg Times|date=January 2, 1970|agency=Associated Press|location=Dallas}}

File:Parseghian statue.JPG, dedicated September 22, 2007{{cite news|title=Ara Parseghian Statue To Be Dedicated On Sept. 22, At Gate D Of Notre Dame Stadium |url=http://www.und.com/sports/m-footbl/spec-rel/090407aaa.html |access-date=July 14, 2013 |newspaper=University of Notre Dame Official Website |date=September 4, 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160306150443/http://www.und.com/sports/m-footbl/spec-rel/090407aaa.html |archive-date=March 6, 2016 |url-status=live }}]]

Notre Dame continued to succeed under Parseghian in the early 1970s.{{cite web|title=Notre Dame Yearly Results |url=http://www.cfbdatawarehouse.com/data/div_ia/independents/notre_dame/1970-1974_yearly_results.php |publisher=College Football Data Warehouse |access-date=July 14, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130618031654/http://www.cfbdatawarehouse.com/data/div_ia/independents/notre_dame/1970-1974_yearly_results.php |archive-date=June 18, 2013 |url-status=dead }} Led by senior quarterback Joe Theismann, the team finished second in the polls in 1970 and avenged its Cotton Bowl loss, defeating the Longhorns 24–11 in an upset.{{cite news|title=Nebraska: A Big First|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=WDtSAAAAIBAJ&pg=6018,4550252&dq=cotton+bowl+notre+dame&hl=en|access-date=July 14, 2013|newspaper=St. Petersburg Times|date=January 6, 1971|agency=Associated Press}} In 1973, Parseghian had a perfect season and won a second national championship, topped off by a 24–23 win over Alabama in the Sugar Bowl.{{cite news|last=O'Sullivan |first=Dan |title=1973 – Notre Dame 24, Alabama 23 |url=http://espn.go.com/abcsports/bcs/sugar/s/1973.html |access-date=July 14, 2013 |newspaper=ESPN.com |date=December 13, 2002 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130907034150/http://espn.go.com/abcsports/bcs/sugar/s/1973.html |archive-date=September 7, 2013 |url-status=dead }} Both teams were undefeated going into the game, but Alabama had held the top spot in the national polls. Parseghian was named Coach of the Year by Football News.{{cite news|title=Parseghian Coach Of Year|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=ButRAAAAIBAJ&pg=940,4247330&dq=parseghian+coach+of+the+year+football-news&hl=en|access-date=July 14, 2013|newspaper=St. Petersburg Times|date=December 4, 1973|page=1–C}}

Before the start of the 1974 season, several key defensive players were suspended for allegations of sexual misconduct, but charges were never filed.{{cite news|last=Henneberger |first=Melinda |title=Reported sexual assault at Notre Dame campus leaves more questions than answers |url=http://ncronline.org/news/accountability/reported-sexual-assault-notre-dame-campus-leaves-more-questions-answers |access-date=July 13, 2013 |newspaper=National Catholic Reporter |date=March 26, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130720054302/http://ncronline.org/news/accountability/reported-sexual-assault-notre-dame-campus-leaves-more-questions-answers |archive-date=July 20, 2013 |url-status=live }}{{cite news|title=6 Irish players suspended in alleged rape|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=KUBSAAAAIBAJ&pg=5306,285503|access-date=July 13, 2013|newspaper=St. Petersburg Times|date=July 26, 1974|agency=Associated Press|location=South Bend, Ind.}} Parseghian called the loss of those key defensive players "a great disappointment". Several other key players were injured.{{cite news|title='I Didn't Schedule Them'|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=68FaAAAAIBAJ&pg=7291,2253599&dq=notre+dame+injuries+parseghian&hl=en|access-date=July 13, 2013|newspaper=St. Petersburg Independent|date=September 10, 1974|agency=Associated Press|location=Atlanta|page=2–C}} An upset loss to underdog Purdue in the third game of the season derailed the team's hopes to repeat as national champions.{{cite news|title=Irish Players Won't Give Up|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=mPNOAAAAIBAJ&pg=5562,2393559&dq=notre+dame+purdue+champion&hl=en|access-date=July 13, 2013|newspaper=Toledo Blade|date=October 5, 1974|agency=Associated Press|location=South Bend, Ind.|page=15}} The ever-present pressure to win took its toll. In the middle of the season, Parseghian privately decided to resign for the sake of his health. He was also dealing with the deaths of three close friends that year as well as his daughter's battle with multiple sclerosis.{{cite news|last=Garrett|first=Jerry|title=Ara Resigns ND Position|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=SEJAAAAAIBAJ&pg=6896,5183263&dq=parseghian+resigns&hl=en|access-date=July 13, 2013|newspaper=The Robesonian|date=December 16, 1974|agency=Associated Press|location=South Bend, Ind.|page=7}} He officially stepped down in mid-December after rumors began to surface that he was leaving for a post with another college program or professional team. He said he was "physically exhausted and emotionally drained" after 25 years of coaching and needed a break. His last game was Notre Dame's 13–11 win in a rematch against Alabama in the Orange Bowl.{{cite news|last=Moffit|first=David|title=Parseghian gets Orange win for going away present|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=BllUAAAAIBAJ&pg=6972,60733&dq=parseghian+alabama+orange&hl=en|access-date=July 13, 2013|newspaper=Ellensburg Daily Record|date=January 2, 1975|agency=United Press International|location=Miami|page=10}} After 11 seasons as head coach of the Fighting Irish, he was succeeded by Dan Devine.{{cite news|title=Dan Packs up for Notre Dame|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=8TdSAAAAIBAJ&pg=4538,3836280&dq=parseghian+devine+replaces&hl=en|access-date=July 13, 2013|newspaper=Mid Cities Daily News|date=December 12, 1974|agency=United Press International|location=South Bend, Ind.|page=7}} His record at Notre Dame was 95–17–4, giving him the second-most wins by any football coach in

the school's history, trailing only Knute Rockne.{{cite web|title=Coach Ara Parseghian Career Highlights |url=http://www.parseghian.org/aboutcoacharaparseghian.html |publisher=Ara Parseghian Medical Research Foundation |access-date=July 13, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140221233830/http://www.parseghian.org/aboutcoacharaparseghian.html |archive-date=February 21, 2014 |url-status=live }}

Parseghian, who was 51 at the time, said he planned to take at least a year off from coaching before considering a run at a job in the professional ranks. Rumors circulated throughout 1975 that he might return to Notre Dame, but both he and Devine denied them.{{cite news|title=Ara to Irish Return Denied By AD Krause|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=lOQNAAAAIBAJ&pg=7022,2342598&dq=parseghian+devine&hl=en|access-date=July 13, 2013|newspaper=Pittsburgh Post-Gazette|date=October 21, 1975|page=16}} In December, he finally decided that he would not coach in 1976 despite reportedly being pursued by the New York Jets of the NFL.Eskenazi, Gerald (December 11, 1975). [https://www.nytimes.com/1975/12/11/archives/parseghian-nears-a-decision-gap-with-jets-is-narrowing-parseghian.html "Parseghian Nears a Decision; Gap With Jets Is Narrowing"]. The New York Times. He would instead host a television show beginning the following fall.{{cite news|title=Parseghian Won't Coach Football Next Season|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=RoAsAAAAIBAJ&pg=7512,3263117&dq=parseghian+resigns&hl=en|access-date=July 13, 2013|newspaper=Spartanburg Herald|date=December 17, 1975|page=D4}} He made his last appearance on the sidelines when he coached the college players in the annual Chicago College All-Star Game against the defending Super Bowl champion Pittsburgh Steelers on July 23, 1976, at Chicago's Soldier Field.{{cite news|title=Parseghian picks All-Star team|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=gnU0AAAAIBAJ&pg=4886,3416769&dq=parseghian+all-star&hl=en|access-date=July 13, 2013|newspaper=Wilmington Morning Star|date=May 18, 1976|agency=United Press International|location=Chicago|page=13}} The game was halted with 1:22 remaining in the third quarter when a torrential thunderstorm broke out; after fans rushed onto the field, play was never resumed.{{cite news|title=All-Star Fiasco Prompts Security|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=EhlZAAAAIBAJ&pg=4471,4864216&dq=parseghian+all-star&hl=en|access-date=July 13, 2013|newspaper=The Victoria Advocate|date=July 29, 1976|agency=Associated Press|location=Chicago|page=4B}} It was the last such game ever played.{{cite news|title=Players differ on All-Star game|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=uR9dAAAAIBAJ&pg=2247,5263821&dq=college+all-star+game+canceled&hl=en|access-date=July 13, 2013|newspaper=St. Joseph Gazette|date=December 24, 1976|agency=Associated Press|location=Biloxi, Miss.|page=3B}}

During Parseghian's tenure at Notre Dame, the school's long-dormant football rivalry with Michigan was revived through an agreement signed in 1970.{{sfn|Kryk|2007|p=163}} The schools, which had not met since 1943, agreed to resume the series with the 1978 season.{{sfn|Kryk|2007|p=160}} Notre Dame athletic director Moose Krause orchestrated the deal with Don Canham, his counterpart at Michigan, but Parseghian's friendship with Wolverine head coach Bo Schembechler also played a role.{{sfn|Kryk|2007|p=163}} Parseghian and Schembechler were teammates at Miami University in Ohio, and Schembechler served on Parseghian's staff at Northwestern in 1956 and 1957.{{sfn|Kryk|2007|p=163}} Schembechler told Parseghian in 1970 that he was looking forward to facing Notre Dame, but Parseghian replied that he would "never have that opportunity".{{sfn|Kryk|2007|p=163}}

While at Notre Dame, Parseghian did away with all ornamentation on players' uniforms, eliminating shamrocks and shoulder stripes and switched the team's home jerseys to navy blue.{{Cite web |last=Somogyi |first=Lou |date=September 5, 2011 |title=Dressed To Thrill |url=http://www.und.com/sports/m-footbl/spec-rel/090511aae.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160306052216/http://www.und.com/sports/m-footbl/spec-rel/090511aae.html |archive-date=March 6, 2016 |access-date=July 13, 2013 |publisher=University of Notre Dame}} The Irish never wore green jerseys during his tenure. His successful run at Notre Dame is sometimes referred to as the "Era of Ara".{{sfn|Reilly|2009|p=263}}

File:Ara Parseghian Gate, Notre Dame Stadium, University of Notre Dame, South Bend, Indiana (11045765074).jpg named after Parseghian]]

Parseghian launched a broadcasting career after leaving Notre Dame. He served as a color analyst for ABC Sports from 1975 to 1981 covering a series of regional and national college football games.{{cite news|last=McKenzie|first=Mike|title=Parseghian joins Jackson on ABC|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=1817&dat=19760903&id=1hgfAAAAIBAJ&pg=6079,926453|access-date=July 13, 2013|newspaper=The Tuscaloosa News|date=September 3, 1976|page=4}} He moved to CBS Sports in 1982 and covered college games for that network until 1988.{{sfn|Reilly|2009|p=263}}

Parseghian, who amassed a career coaching record of 170–58–6 at Miami, Northwestern and Notre Dame, was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in 1980.{{sfn|Reilly|2009|p=263}} He was inducted into the Miami University Athletic Hall of Fame as part of its charter class in 1969 and became a member of the Indiana Football Hall of Fame in 1984.{{cite web |title=Hall of Fame Inductees |url=http://www.muredhawks.com/ViewArticle.dbml?DB_OEM_ID=26100&ATCLID=205502220 |publisher=Miami University |access-date=July 13, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130805143706/http://www.muredhawks.com/ViewArticle.dbml?DB_OEM_ID=26100&ATCLID=205502220 |archive-date=August 5, 2013 |url-status=dead }} He was also inducted into the Cotton Bowl Classic Hall of Fame in 2007.{{cite news|title=Ara Parseghian Inducted Into AT&T Cotton Bowl Hall of Fame |url=http://www.und.com/sports/m-footbl/spec-rel/041807aaa.html |access-date=July 13, 2013 |newspaper=Notre Dame |date=April 18, 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151117103441/http://www.und.com/sports/m-footbl/spec-rel/041807aaa.html |archive-date=November 17, 2015 |url-status=live }} Parseghian was awarded an honorary doctorate in humanities by Miami in 1978 and served on the school's board of trustees between 1978 and 1987.{{cite web |title=1969 Miami Athletics Hall of Fame Class |url=http://www.muredhawks.com/ViewArticle.dbml?DB_OEM_ID=26100&ATCLID=208495860 |publisher=Miami University |access-date=July 13, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130807055659/http://www.muredhawks.com/ViewArticle.dbml?DB_OEM_ID=26100&ATCLID=208495860 |archive-date=August 7, 2013 |url-status=dead }} He also received an honorary degree from Notre Dame in 1997 and won the Amos Alonzo Stagg Award the same year for his contributions to the sport.{{cite news|title=Notre Dame to honor Parseghian, Scalia|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=1350&dat=19970409&id=GWoxAAAAIBAJ&pg=4412,2561547|access-date=July 13, 2013|newspaper=Toledo Blade|date=April 9, 1997|location=South Bend, Ind.|page=10}}{{sfn|Blevins|2012|pp=1, 3}}

Jason Miller portrayed Parseghian in the 1993 film Rudy, which chronicled Rudy Ruettiger's determination to overcome his small size and dyslexia and play for Notre Dame in 1974.{{cite web|title=Rudy (1993) |url=http://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/rudy/ |publisher=Rotten Tomatoes |access-date=July 13, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20041210182957/http://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/rudy/ |url-status=live |archive-date=December 10, 2004 }} Parseghian saw Ruettiger's drive and placed him on the scout team but resigned at the end of the year. Devine, Parseghian's successor, put Ruettiger in on defense at the end of the final game of the 1975 season, and Ruettiger recorded a sack.{{cite web |last=Whelan |first=J. Michael |title=Football on Film: 'Rudy' |url=http://www.coldhardfootballfacts.com/content/football-film-rudy/4921/ |publisher=Cold Hard Football Facts |access-date=July 13, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130703061727/http://www.coldhardfootballfacts.com/content/football-film-rudy/4921 |archive-date=July 3, 2013 |date=October 26, 2005 |url-status=dead }}

Along with Lou Holtz, Parseghian served as one of two honorary coaches in Notre Dame's 2007 spring game, an annual scrimmage held in April.{{cite news|title=Parseghian, Holtz to return to ND sidelines for spring game|url=https://www.espn.com/espn/wire?section=ncf&id=2783143|access-date=July 13, 2013|newspaper=ESPN.com|date=February 28, 2007|agency=Associated Press|location=South Bend, Ind.}} Holtz's Gold team defeated Parseghian's Blue team, 10–6.{{cite news|title=Lou Holtz/Ara Parseghian Blue-Gold Post Game Press Conference Transcript |url=http://www.und.com/sports/m-footbl/spec-rel/042107aaf.html |access-date=July 13, 2013 |newspaper=University of Notre Dame |date=April 21, 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160306150356/http://www.und.com/sports/m-footbl/spec-rel/042107aaf.html |archive-date=March 6, 2016 |url-status=live }} The same year, Notre Dame unveiled a statue in Parseghian's honor by sculptor Jerry McKenna, depicting players carrying him off the field in triumph following the 1971 Cotton Bowl victory over Texas; the statue as of 2024 is next to Notre Dame Stadium at Gate B, which is also called the Ara Parseghian Gate.{{Cite web |title=Ara Parseghian Historical Marker |url=https://www.hmdb.org/m.asp?m=237950 |access-date=2025-02-14 |website=www.hmdb.org |language=en}} In 2011, Miami also unveiled a statue in his honor to add to the RedHawks' Cradle of Coaches plaza.{{cite news|last=Hiserman |first=Mike |title=Parseghian is no clay pigeon |url=http://articles.latimes.com/2011/oct/09/sports/la-sp-1009-college-football-spotlight-20111009 |access-date=July 13, 2013 |newspaper=Los Angeles Times |date=October 9, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121207145016/http://articles.latimes.com/2011/oct/09/sports/la-sp-1009-college-football-spotlight-20111009 |archive-date=December 7, 2012 |url-status=dead }} It shows him wearing a Notre Dame sweater as he kneels and looks ahead to the field.

Parseghian, who was married to the former Kathleen Davis, also became involved with medical causes later in life. Along with Mike and Cindy Parseghian, his son and daughter-in-law, he founded the Ara Parseghian Medical Research Foundation in 1994.{{cite web|title=About the Ara Parseghian Medical Research Foundation |url=http://www.parseghian.org/aboutus.html |publisher=Ara Parseghian Medical Research Foundation |access-date=July 13, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130715043019/http://www.parseghian.org/aboutus.html |archive-date=July 15, 2013 |url-status=live }} The foundation is seeking a cure for Niemann-Pick disease Type C, a genetic disorder affecting children that causes the buildup of cholesterol in cells, resulting in damage to the nervous system and eventually death.{{cite web|title=About Niemann-Pick Type C |url=http://www.parseghian.org/aboutniemannppickc.html |publisher=Ara Parseghian Medical Research Foundation |access-date=July 13, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130715043014/http://www.parseghian.org/aboutniemannppickc.html |archive-date=July 15, 2013 |url-status=live }} Three of his grandchildren, Michael, Marcia, and Christa Parseghian, died from the disease. He was also active in the cause to find a cure for multiple sclerosis; his daughter Karan was diagnosed with the disease.{{Cite news |date=May 17, 1974 |title=Ara Parseghian now 'fighting' a tougher opponent |page=22 |work=Ottawa Citizen |agency=Associated Press|via=Google News |location=New York |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=2194&dat=19740517&id=nr0yAAAAIBAJ&pg=900,645633 |access-date=July 13, 2013}}

Parseghian died on August 2, 2017, surrounded by his family at his home in Granger, Indiana, at the age of 94.{{Cite web |last=Carchia |first=Carl |last2=Butler |first2=Dave |date=August 2, 2017 |title=Numbers place Ara Parseghian among Notre Dame's greatest coaches |url=http://www.espn.com/college-football/story/_/id/20107101/the-numbers-ara-parseghian-legacy-notre-dame |access-date=August 2, 2017 |website=ESPN.com}} At the time of his death, he was suffering from an infection that had settled into his hip.{{Cite web |last=Greenstein |first=Teddy |date=July 18, 2017 |title=As Ara Parseghian falls ill, former players rally around the former coach |url=http://www.chicagotribune.com/sports/college/ct-ara-parseghian-health-spt-0718-20170717-story.html |access-date=August 5, 2017 |website=Chicago Tribune}} He was buried in the Cedar Grove Cemetery in Notre Dame, Indiana.{{Cite web |title=Burials of Interest |url=https://cemetery.nd.edu/locate-and-honor/burials-of-interest/ |access-date=August 6, 2023 |website=Cedar Grove Cemetery |language=en}}

{{CFB Yearly Record Start | type = coach | team = | conf = | bowl = | poll = both }}

{{CFB Yearly Record Subhead

| name = Miami Redskins

| conf = Mid-American Conference

| startyear = 1951

| endyear = 1955

}}

{{CFB Yearly Record Entry

| championship =

| year = 1951

| name = Miami

| overall = 7–3

| conference = 3–1

| confstanding = 2nd

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{{CFB Yearly Record Entry

| championship =

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{{CFB Yearly Record Entry

| championship =

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{{CFB Yearly Record Entry

| championship = conference

| year = 1954

| name = Miami

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{{CFB Yearly Record Entry

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| bcsbowl =

| ranking = 20

| ranking2 = 15

}}

{{CFB Yearly Record Subtotal

| name = Miami

| overall = 39–6–1

| confrecord = 19–2–1

}}

{{CFB Yearly Record Subhead

| name = Northwestern Wildcats

| conf = Big Ten Conference

| startyear = 1956

| endyear = 1963

}}

{{CFB Yearly Record Entry

| championship =

| year = 1956

| name = Northwestern

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{{CFB Yearly Record Entry

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| name = Northwestern

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{{CFB Yearly Record Entry

| championship =

| year = 1958

| name = Northwestern

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| bcsbowl =

| ranking = 17

| ranking2 =

}}

{{CFB Yearly Record Entry

| championship =

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| name = Northwestern

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{{CFB Yearly Record Entry

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{{CFB Yearly Record Entry

| championship =

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{{CFB Yearly Record Entry

| championship =

| year = 1962

| name = Northwestern

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| ranking = 16

| ranking2 =

}}

{{CFB Yearly Record Entry

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| name = Northwestern

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{{CFB Yearly Record Subtotal

| name = Northwestern

| overall = 36–35–1

| confrecord = 22–31–1

}}

{{CFB Yearly Record Subhead

| name = Notre Dame Fighting Irish

| conf = NCAA University Division / Division I independent

| startyear = 1964

| endyear = 1974

}}

{{CFB Yearly Record Entry

| championship =

| year = 1964

| name = Notre Dame

| overall = 9–1

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| ranking = 3

| ranking2 = 3

}}

{{CFB Yearly Record Entry

| championship =

| year = 1965

| name = Notre Dame

| overall = 7–2–1

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| ranking = 8

| ranking2 = 9

}}

{{CFB Yearly Record Entry

| championship = national

| year = 1966

| name = Notre Dame

| overall = 9–0–1

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| ranking = 1

| ranking2 = 1

}}

{{CFB Yearly Record Entry

| championship =

| year = 1967

| name = Notre Dame

| overall = 8–2

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| bcsbowl =

| ranking = 4

| ranking2 = 5

}}

{{CFB Yearly Record Entry

| championship =

| year = 1968

| name = Notre Dame

| overall = 7–2–1

| conference =

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| bowlname =

| bowloutcome =

| bcsbowl =

| ranking = 8

| ranking2 = 5

}}

{{CFB Yearly Record Entry

| championship =

| year = 1969

| name = Notre Dame

| overall = 8–2–1

| conference =

| confstanding =

| bowlname = Cotton

| bowloutcome = L

| bcsbowl =

| ranking = 9

| ranking2 = 5

}}

{{CFB Yearly Record Entry

| championship =

| year = 1970

| name = Notre Dame

| overall = 10–1

| conference =

| confstanding =

| bowlname = Cotton

| bowloutcome = W

| bcsbowl =

| ranking = 5

| ranking2 = 2

}}

{{CFB Yearly Record Entry

| championship =

| year = 1971

| name = Notre Dame

| overall = 8–2

| conference =

| confstanding =

| bowlname =

| bowloutcome =

| bcsbowl =

| ranking = 15

| ranking2 = 13

}}

{{CFB Yearly Record Entry

| championship =

| year = 1972

| name = Notre Dame

| overall = 8–3

| conference =

| confstanding =

| bowlname = Orange

| bowloutcome = L

| bcsbowl =

| ranking = 12

| ranking2 = 14

}}

{{CFB Yearly Record Entry

| championship = national

| year = 1973

| name = Notre Dame

| overall = 11–0

| conference =

| confstanding =

| bowlname = Sugar

| bowloutcome = W

| bcsbowl =

| ranking = 4*

| ranking2 = 1

}}

{{CFB Yearly Record Entry

| championship =

| year = 1974

| name = Notre Dame

| overall = 10–2

| conference =

| confstanding =

| bowlname = Orange

| bowloutcome = W

| bcsbowl =

| ranking = 4

| ranking2 = 6

}}

{{CFB Yearly Record Subtotal

| name = Notre Dame

| overall = 95–17–4

| confrecord =

}}

{{CFB Yearly Record End

| overall = 170–58–6

| bowls = no

| poll = two

| polltype =

}}

*Note: before the 1974 season, the final Coaches Poll, also known then as the UPI Poll, was released before the bowl games, so a team that lost its bowl game could still claim the UPI national championship. This was changed as a result of Alabama winning the 1973 Coaches Poll national championship despite losing to Notre Dame in the Sugar Bowl.

Assistants under Parseghian who became college or professional head coaches:{{Cite web |title=Ara Parseghian Coaching Tree |url=https://spec.lib.miamioh.edu/cradleofcoaches/items/show/89 |access-date=August 6, 2023 |website=Cradle of Coaches}}

• John Pont: Miami (OH) (1956–1962), Yale Bulldogs (1963–1964), Indiana Hoosiers (1965–1972), Northwestern Wildcats (1973–1977), Mount St. Joseph Lions (1990–1992){{Cite web |last=Beaven |first=Chris |date=April 25, 2016 |title=Pont's long and interesting football life started at Timken but led him many places |url=https://www.cantonrep.com/story/news/local/canton/2016/04/25/pont-s-long-interesting-football/31135727007/ |access-date=August 6, 2023 |website=Canton Repository |language=en-US}}
• Alex Agase: Northwestern Wildcats (1964–1972), Purdue Boilermakers (1973–1976){{Cite web |date=May 5, 2007 |title=Alex Agase, 85; pro, college football player and longtime coach |url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2007-may-05-me-passings5.1-story.html |access-date=August 6, 2023 |website=Los Angeles Times |language=en-US}}
• Bo Schembechler: Miami (OH) (1963–1968), Michigan (1969–1989){{Cite web |last=Henning |first=Lynn |date=December 2, 2014 |title=Brandt: UM will be hard-pressed to match past success |url=https://www.detroitnews.com/story/sports/college/university-michigan/2014/12/02/brandt-um-will-hard-pressed-match-past-success/19798625/ |access-date=August 6, 2023 |website=The Detroit News |language=en-US}}
• Warren Schmakel: Boston University Terriers (1964–1968)
• Doc Urich: Buffalo Bulls (1966–1968), Northern Illinois (1969–1970){{Cite web |date=January 3, 1964 |title=3 Northwestern Aides Join Notre Dame Staff |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1964/01/03/archives/3-northwestern-aides-join-notre-dame-staff.html |access-date=August 6, 2023 |website=New York Times|via=United Press International |language=en}}
• Jerry Wampfler: Colorado State Rams (1970–1972){{Cite web |last=Somogyi |first=Lou |date=March 1, 2015 |title=ND assistants: Did you know… |url=https://notredame.rivals.com/news/nd-assistants-did-you-know- |access-date=August 6, 2023 |website=InsideNDSports}}
• Ed Chlebek: Eastern Michigan Hurons (1976–1978), Boston College Eagles (1978–1980), Kent State Golden Flashes (1981–1982){{Cite web |last=Sylvester |first=Curt |date=January 20, 1978 |title=Boston College Hires EMU's Chlebek |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/detroit-free-press-boston-college-hires/17533966/ |access-date=August 6, 2023 |website=Detroit Free Press|via=Newspapers.com |pages=12}}
• John Ray: Kentucky Wildcats (1969–1972){{Cite web |last=Underwood |first=John |date=September 29, 1969 |title=A cloudburst for Kentucky's Ray of sunshine |url=https://vault.si.com/vault/1969/09/29/a-cloudburst-for-kentuckys-ray-of-sunshine |access-date=August 6, 2023 |website=Sports Illustrated Vault |language=en-us}}

{{Reflist|colwidth=30em}}

{{refbegin}}

• {{cite book |last=Blevins |first=David |title=College Football Awards: All National and Conference Winners Through 2010 |year=2012 |publisher=McFarland |location=Jefferson, NC |isbn=978-0-786-44867-8 }}
• {{cite book |last=Dent |first=Jim |title=Resurrection: The Miracle Season That Saved Notre Dame |year=2009 |publisher=St. Martin's Press |location=New York |isbn=978-0-312-56721-7 }}
• {{cite book |last=Kryk |first=John |title=Natural Enemies: Major College Football's Oldest, Fiercest Rivalry-Michigan vs. Notre Dame |year=2007 |publisher=Taylor Trade Publishing |location=Lanham, MD |isbn=978-1-589-79330-9 }}
• {{cite book |last=LaTourette |first=Larry |year=2005 |title=Northwestern Wildcat Football |publisher=Arcadia Publishing |location=Mount Pleasant, SC |isbn=978-0-7385-3433-6 }}
• {{cite book |last=Piascik |first=Andy |year=2007 |title=The Best Show in Football: The 1946–1955 Cleveland Browns |publisher=Taylor Trade Publishing |location=Lanham, MD |isbn=978-1-58979-571-6 }}
• {{cite book |last=Reilly |first=Edward J. |year=2009 |title=Football: An Encyclopedia of Popular Culture |publisher=Bison Books |location=Lincoln, NE |isbn=978-0-803-29012-9 |url-access=registration |url=https://archive.org/details/footballencyclop0000riel }}
• {{cite book |last=Travers |first=Steven |year=2009 |title=Pigskin Warriors: 140 Years of College Football's Greatest Traditions, Games, and Stars |publisher=Taylor Trade Publishing |location=Lanham, MD |isbn=978-1-589-79333-0 |ref={{sfnRef|Travers|2007}}}}

{{refend}}

• {{cite book |last=MacCambridge |first=Michael |year=2005 |title=ESPN College Football Encyclopedia: The Complete History of the Game |publisher=ESPN Books |location=New York |isbn=978-1-401-33703-2}}
• {{cite book |last=Pagna |first=Tom |year=1976 |title=Notre Dame's Era of Ara |publisher=Diamond Communications, Inc. |location=South Bend, IN |isbn=978-0-896-51557-4}}

• [http://www.parseghian.org Ara Parseghian Medical Research Foundation] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201127013925/http://www.parseghian.org/ |date=November 27, 2020 }}
• {{College Football HoF|2284}}
• {{Footballstats |nfl=ara-parseghian |espn= |cbs= |yahoo= |si= |pfr=P/ParsAr20 |rotoworld= }}
• {{Find a Grave|181984459}}
• [http://spec.lib.miamioh.edu/cradleofcoaches/parseghian Cradle of Coaches Archive: A Legacy of Excellence – Ara Parseghian], Miami University Libraries

{{s-start}}

{{s-ach}}

{{s-bef|before=Zhou Enlai & Alexei Kosygin}}

{{s-ttl|title=Cover of Time magazine|years = November 20, 1964}}

{{s-aft|after=Lammot Copeland}}

{{s-end}}

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{{DEFAULTSORT:Parseghian, Ara}}

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