Notre Dame Fighting Irish football#National championships

{{Main|History of Notre Dame Fighting Irish football}}

{{See also|List of Notre Dame Fighting Irish football seasons}}

File:Notre Dame football team (1887).jpg

Football did not have an auspicious beginning at the University of Notre Dame. In their inaugural game on November 23, 1887, the Irish lost to Michigan by a score of 8–0.{{cite web|url=http://125.nd.edu/moments/first-game-in-notre-dame-football-history/|title=First game in Notre Dame Football history // Moments // 125 Football // University of Notre Dame|first=ENR // MarComm:Web // University of Notre|last=Dame|website=125.nd.edu|access-date=June 11, 2017|archive-date=February 5, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160205085401/http://125.nd.edu/moments/first-game-in-notre-dame-football-history/|url-status=live}} Their first win came in the final game of the 1888 season when the Irish defeated Harvard Prep School of Chicago by a score of 20–0.{{cite web|url=http://125.nd.edu/moments/notre-dames-first-win/|title=Notre Dame's First Win // Moments // 125 Football // University of Notre Dame|first=ENR // MarComm:Web // University of Notre|last=Dame|website=125.nd.edu|access-date=June 11, 2017|archive-date=June 10, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170610150922/http://125.nd.edu/moments/notre-dames-first-win/|url-status=live}} At the end of the 1888 season, they had a record of 1–3 with all three losses being at the hands of Michigan. Between 1887 and 1899, Notre Dame compiled a record of 31 wins, 15 losses, and 4 ties against a diverse variety of opponents ranging from local high school teams to other universities.{{cite web |title=Notre Dame's first team. |url=http://www.irishlegends.com/pages/outofbounds/outofbounds1.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210225173416/http://www.irishlegends.com/pages/outofbounds/outofbounds1.html |archive-date=February 25, 2021 |access-date=November 16, 2017 |website=Irishlegends.com}} In 1894, James L. Morrison was hired as Notre Dame's first head football coach.{{cite web|url=http://buffalonews.com/2004/09/07/irish-coach-could-make-ugly-history/|title=Irish Coach Could Make Ugly History|date=September 7, 2004|website=Buffalonews.com|access-date=November 16, 2017|archive-date=September 28, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170928005844/http://buffalonews.com/2004/09/07/irish-coach-could-make-ugly-history/|url-status=live}} Notre Dame took a significant step toward respectability, prominence, and stability when they hired Morrison.{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=jyCcJuRTOuYC&q=james+l.+morison+notre+dame&pg=PT17|title=The Notre Dame Football Encyclopedia|first=Michael R.|last=Steele|date=January 8, 2013|publisher=Skyhorse Publishing, Inc.|isbn=9781613213742|via=Google Books}} He wrote an acquaintance after his first day on the job: "I arrived here [Notre Dame] this morning and found about as green a set of football players that ever donned a uniform... They want to smoke, and when I told them that they would have to run and get up some wind, they thought I was rubbing it in on them. "One big, strong cuss remarked that it was too much like work. Well, maybe you think I didn't give him hell! I bet you a hundred no one ever makes a remark like that again."

File:1905 Notre Dame football team.jpg

In 1908, the win over Franklin saw end Fay Wood catch the first touchdown pass in Notre Dame history.{{cite web|url=http://www.archives.nd.edu/football/Football-1908s.pdf|title=Notre Dame Scholastic|date=December 1908|website=Archives.nd.edu|access-date=November 16, 2017|archive-date=February 24, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210224133911/http://www.archives.nd.edu/football/Football-1908s.pdf|url-status=live}} Notre Dame continued its success near the turn of the century and achieved their first victory over Michigan in 1909 by the score of 11–3, after which Michigan refused to play Notre Dame again for 33 years. By the end of the 1912 season they had amassed a record of 108 wins, 31 losses, and 13 ties.{{cite web|url=http://madeira.hccanet.org/project2_spring2013/groenep2/history.html|title=Notre Dame Football - History|website=Madeira.hccanet.org|access-date=November 16, 2017|archive-date=September 28, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170928060038/http://madeira.hccanet.org/project2_spring2013/groenep2/history.html|url-status=dead}} Jesse Harper became head coach in 1913, coaching for five years until retiring in 1917.{{cite web|url=http://www.und.com/sports/m-footbl/mtt/harper_jesse00.html|title=Jesse Harper Bio :: Notre Dame Football :: UND.COM :: The Official Site of Notre Dame Athletics|website=Und.com|access-date=November 16, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171015020835/http://www.und.com/sports/m-footbl/mtt/harper_jesse00.html|archive-date=October 15, 2017|url-status=dead}} During his tenure, the Irish began playing only intercollegiate games and posted a record of 34 wins, five losses, and one tie.{{cite web|url=https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/coaches/jesse-harper-1.html|title=Jesse Harper Coaching Record|website=College Football at Sports-Reference.com|access-date=November 16, 2017|archive-date=September 28, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170928103044/https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/coaches/jesse-harper-1.html|url-status=live}} This period would also mark the beginning of the rivalry with Army and the continuation of rivalry with Michigan State.{{cite web|url=http://magazine.nd.edu/news/notre-dame-vs-army-the-rivalry-that-shaped-college-football/|title=Echoes: Notre Dame vs. Army: The rivalry that shaped college football // News // Notre Dame Magazine // University of Notre Dame|first=ENR/PAZ // University Communications: Web // University of Notre|last=Dame|website=Magazine.nd.edu|date=November 11, 2016 |access-date=November 16, 2017}}{{cite web|url=https://www.uhnd.com/history/rivalries/rivalries-notre-dame-michigan-state-series/|title=Notre Dame - Michigan State Football Rivalry // UHND.com|date=August 7, 2015|website=Uhnd.com|access-date=November 16, 2017|archive-date=September 6, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170906030312/https://www.uhnd.com/history/rivalries/rivalries-notre-dame-michigan-state-series/|url-status=live}} In an effort to gain respect for a regionally successful but small-time Midwestern football program, Harper scheduled games in his first season with national powerhouses Texas, Penn State, and Army.{{cite web |title=1913: The Program Changer |url=http://www.und.com/sports/m-footbl/spec-rel/082713aah.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170928005831/http://www.und.com/sports/m-footbl/spec-rel/082713aah.html |archive-date=September 28, 2017 |access-date=November 16, 2017 |website=Und.com}} That year, Notre Dame burst into the national consciousness and helped to transform the collegiate game in a single contest.

File:RocknescoringonArmy.jpg running for a touchdown against Army after receiving a forward pass, November 1, 1913]]

On November 1, 1913, the Notre Dame squad stunned the Black Knights of the Hudson 35–13 in a game played at West Point.{{cite web|url=http://125.nd.edu/moments/this-day-in-history-the-forward-pass-1913-vs-army/|title=This Day In History: The Forward Pass (1913 vs. Army) // Moments // 125 Football // University of Notre Dame|first=ENR // MarComm:Web // University of Notre|last=Dame|website=125.nd.edu|access-date=November 16, 2017|archive-date=November 20, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171120054127/http://125.nd.edu/moments/this-day-in-history-the-forward-pass-1913-vs-army/|url-status=live}} Led by quarterback Gus Dorais and end Knute Rockne, the Notre Dame team attacked the Cadets with an offense that featured both the expected powerful running game but also long and accurate downfield forward passes from Dorais to Rockne. This game has been miscredited as the invention of the forward pass.{{cite web |title=Notre Dame vs. Army: The game that changed college football 100 years ago |url=http://www.indystar.com/story/sports/college/2013/10/30/notre-dame-vs-army-the-game-that-changed-college-football-100-years-ago/3313083/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160105024352/http://www.indystar.com/story/sports/college/2013/10/30/notre-dame-vs-army-the-game-that-changed-college-football-100-years-ago/3313083/ |archive-date=January 5, 2016 |access-date=November 16, 2017 |website=Indystar.com}} Prior to this contest, receivers would come to a full stop and wait on the ball to come to them, but in this contest, Dorais threw to Rockne in stride, changing the forward pass from a seldom-used play into the dominant ball-moving strategy that it is today.

File:Knute Rockne on ship's deck.jpg

Irish assistant Knute Rockne became head coach in 1918.{{cite web|url=http://www.rarenewspapers.com/view/633634|title=Knute Rockne named Notre Dame coach...|website=Rarenewspapers.com|access-date=November 16, 2017|archive-date=September 28, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170928010124/http://www.rarenewspapers.com/view/633634|url-status=live}} During his 13 years, the Irish won three national championships, had five undefeated seasons, won the Rose Bowl in 1925,{{cite web|url=http://bleacherreport.com/articles/472956-the-1925-rose-bowl-notre-dame-vs-stanford|title=The 1925 Rose Bowl: Notre Dame Vs. Stanford|first=Michael|last=Collins|publisher=Bleacher Report|access-date=June 11, 2017|archive-date=September 28, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170928010000/http://bleacherreport.com/articles/472956-the-1925-rose-bowl-notre-dame-vs-stanford|url-status=live}} and produced players such as George Gipp and the "Four Horsemen".{{cite web |date=9 July 2012 |title=Numbers don't tell story of Knute Rockne |url=https://www.espn.com/blog/notre-dame-football/post/_/id/7403/numbers-dont-tell-story-of-rockne |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170928010014/http://www.espn.com/blog/notre-dame-football/post/_/id/7403/numbers-dont-tell-story-of-rockne |archive-date=September 28, 2017 |access-date=November 16, 2017 |website=Espn.com}} Rockne's offenses employed the Notre Dame Box and his defenses ran a 7–2–2 scheme.{{cite web|url=http://www.scout.com/nfl/bears/story/655115-chalk-talk-the-notre-dame-box|title=Chalk Talk: the Notre Dame Box|website=Scout.com|access-date=November 16, 2017}}{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=LDqZHM-LUtMC&q=knute+rockne+7-2-2+defense&pg=PA56|title=The Notre Dame Football Encyclopedia: The Ultimate Guide to America's Favorite College Team|first1=Keith|last1=Marder|first2=Mark|last2=Spellen|first3=Jim|last3=Donovan|date=September 27, 2017|publisher=Citadel Press|isbn=9780806521084|via=Google Books|access-date=October 5, 2020|archive-date=November 7, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231107155849/https://books.google.com/books?id=LDqZHM-LUtMC&q=knute+rockne+7-2-2+defense&pg=PA56#v=snippet&q=knute%20rockne%207-2-2%20defense&f=false|url-status=live}}

Rockne took over in the war-torn season of 1918{{cite web |title=1918 Notre Dame Fighting Irish Schedule and Results |url=https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/schools/notre-dame/1918-schedule.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170928055855/https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/schools/notre-dame/1918-schedule.html |archive-date=September 28, 2017 |access-date=November 16, 2017 |website=College Football at Sports-Reference.com}} He made his coaching debut on September 28, 1918, against Case Tech in Cleveland, Ohio, and earned a 26–6 victory.{{cite web |author=ENR // MarComm:Web // University of Notre Dame |url=http://125.nd.edu/moments/this-day-in-history-rockne-takes-the-reins/ |title=This Day In History: Rockne Takes The Reins // Moments // 125 Football // University of Notre Dame |publisher=125.nd.edu |access-date=May 15, 2016 |archive-date=October 3, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151003120516/http://125.nd.edu/moments/this-day-in-history-rockne-takes-the-reins/ |url-status=live }} Leonard Bahan, George Gipp, and Curly Lambeau were in the backfield.{{cite web|url=http://www.und.com/sports/m-footbl/archive/nd-m-fb-a-ros-29.html|title=Notre Dame Football :: UND.COM :: The Official Site of Notre Dame Athletics|website=Und.com|access-date=November 16, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170928055828/http://www.und.com/sports/m-footbl/archive/nd-m-fb-a-ros-29.html|archive-date=September 28, 2017|url-status=dead}}{{cite web|url=http://archives.nd.edu/findaids/ead/xml/ath.xml|format=XML|title=Notre Dame Athletics Collection : 1899-2011|website=Archives.nd.edu|access-date=November 16, 2017|archive-date=November 26, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171126032412/http://archives.nd.edu/findaids/ead/xml/ath.xml|url-status=live}} With Gipp, Rockne had an ideal handler of the forward pass.{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=_RqQQHqQdAAC&pg=PA98|title=Shaping College Football|isbn=9780815608868|access-date=November 16, 2017|last1=Schmidt|first1=Raymond|date=18 June 2007|publisher=Syracuse University Press|archive-date=November 7, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231107155851/https://books.google.com/books?id=_RqQQHqQdAAC&pg=PA98#v=onepage&q&f=false|url-status=live}}{{cite web|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=-W1JAQAAMAAJ&pg=PA662|title=Leslie's Weekly|website=Google.com|year=1921|access-date=November 16, 2017}} The Irish posted a 3–1–2 record for the season, losing only to the Michigan Agricultural Aggies. The 1919 team had Rockne handle the line and Gus Dorais handle the backfield.{{cite web |url=http://www.archives.nd.edu/Football/Football-1919.pdf |title=Notre Dame Football Review |access-date=May 15, 2016 |archive-date=September 6, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150906110718/http://www.archives.nd.edu/Football/Football-1919.pdf |url-status=live }} The Irish went undefeated and were one of four teams to be selected for the national championship, although Notre Dame does not claim it.{{cite web|url=https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/schools/notre-dame/1919-schedule.html|title=1919 Notre Dame Fighting Irish Schedule and Results|website=College Football at Sports-Reference.com|access-date=November 16, 2017|archive-date=September 28, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170928060256/https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/schools/notre-dame/1919-schedule.html|url-status=live}}{{cite web|url=https://www.ncaa.com/news/football/article/college-football-national-championship-history|title=College football national championship history|date=May 15, 2017|website=Ncaa.com|access-date=November 16, 2017|archive-date=December 30, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221230171030/https://www.ncaa.com/news/football/article/college-football-national-championship-history|url-status=live}}

File:George gipp football player.jpg

Gipp died at age 25 on December 14, 1920,{{cite web|url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1999-dec-14-sp-43713-story.html|title=Gipp Still an Inspiration Long After His Death|first=EARL|last=GUSTKEY|date=December 14, 1999|via=LA Times|access-date=June 11, 2017|archive-date=July 15, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160715140609/http://articles.latimes.com/1999/dec/14/sports/sp-43713|url-status=live}} just two weeks after Walter Camp elected him as Notre Dame's first All-American.{{cite web|url=http://www.und.com/sports/m-footbl/archive/allambios/nd-m-footbl-gipp.html|title=Notre Dame Football :: UND.COM :: The Official Site of Notre Dame Athletics|website=Und.com|access-date=November 16, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150910185010/http://www.und.com/sports/m-footbl/archive/allambios/nd-m-footbl-gipp.html|archive-date=September 10, 2015|url-status=dead}} Gipp likely contracted strep throat and pneumonia while giving punting lessons after his final game on November 20 against Northwestern. Since antibiotics were not available in the 1920s, treatment options for such infections were limited and they could be fatal even to young, healthy individuals.{{cite web|url=https://www.healthychildren.org/English/health-issues/conditions/treatments/Pages/The-History-of-Antibiotics.aspx|title=The History of Antibiotics|website=HealthyChildren.org|access-date=June 11, 2017|archive-date=March 17, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170317130031/https://www.healthychildren.org/English/health-issues/conditions/treatments/Pages/The-History-of-Antibiotics.aspx|url-status=live}} Rockne was speaking to Gipp on his hospital bed when he was purported to have delivered the famous "Win one for the Gipper" line.{{cite web|url=https://parade.com/157772/michaelosacky/what-does-it-mean-to-win-one-for-the-gipper/|title=What Does It Mean to 'Win One For The Gipper?'|first=Michael|last=Osacky|website=Parade.com|date=20 September 2013|access-date=November 16, 2017|archive-date=September 28, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170928060031/https://parade.com/157772/michaelosacky/what-does-it-mean-to-win-one-for-the-gipper/|url-status=live}}{{Cite book

| last = Keyes

| first = Ralph

| title = The quote verifier: who said what, where, and when

| publisher = St. Martin's Press

| year = 2006

| url = https://archive.org/details/quoteverifierwho00keye

| url-access = registration

| page = [https://archive.org/details/quoteverifierwho00keye/page/78 78]

| quote = win just one for the gipper.

| isbn = 0-312-34004-4

}}{{cite magazine| url=http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/vault/article/magazine/MAG1082275/index.htm | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121026112339/http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/vault/article/magazine/MAG1082275/index.htm | url-status=dead | archive-date=October 26, 2012 | magazine=Sports Illustrated| title=Letter From The Publisher | date=April 14, 1969 | access-date=May 3, 2010}}{{cite magazine| url=http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/vault/article/magazine/MAG1095375/index.htm | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121026112331/http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/vault/article/magazine/MAG1095375/index.htm | url-status=dead | archive-date=October 26, 2012 | magazine=Sports Illustrated | title=Win One For The Gipper | date=September 17, 1979 | access-date=May 3, 2010}}

File:RogerKiley.jpg

John Mohardt led the 1921 Notre Dame team to a 10–1 record with 781 rushing yards, 995 passing yards, 12 rushing touchdowns, and nine passing touchdowns.{{cite book|author1=Keith Marder |author2=Mark Spellen |author3=Jim Donovan |title=The Notre Dame Football Encyclopedia: The Ultimate Guide to America's Favorite College Team|publisher=Citadel Press|year=2001|isbn=0806521082|page=148}} Grantland Rice wrote that "Mohardt could throw the ball to within a foot or two of any given space" and noted that the 1921 Notre Dame team "was the first team we know of to build its attack around a forward passing game, rather than use a forward passing game as a mere aid to the running game."{{cite news|title=Where The West Got The Jump: In Addition To Developing Strong Defense and Good Running Game, Has Built Up Forward Pass|author=Grantland Rice|publisher=American Golfer|date=December 3, 1921|url=http://library.la84.org/SportsLibrary/AmericanGolfer/1921/ag2424o.pdf|access-date=August 19, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304062111/http://library.la84.org/SportsLibrary/AmericanGolfer/1921/ag2424o.pdf|archive-date=March 4, 2016|url-status=dead}} Mohardt had both Eddie Anderson and Roger Kiley at end to receive his passes.{{cite web|url=http://archives.chicagotribune.com/1948/10/01/page/49/article/notre-dame-greats-will-pay-tribute-to-slater-today|title=Chicago Tribune - Historical Newspapers|website=Archives.chicagotribune.com|access-date=November 16, 2017|archive-date=November 7, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231107155857/https://www.chicagotribune.com/|url-status=live}}{{cite web|url=http://www.indiana-football.org/?q=node/584|title=Rockne, Knute – Indiana Football Hall of Fame|website=Indiana-football.org|access-date=November 16, 2017|archive-date=September 28, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170928010141/http://www.indiana-football.org/?q=node/584|url-status=live}}

The national champion 1924 team included the "Four Horsemen" backfield of Harry Stuhldreher, Don Miller, Jim Crowley, and Elmer Layden.{{cite web|url=http://www.und.com/sports/m-footbl/archive/nd-m-fb-a-nattit.html|title=Notre Dame Football :: UND.COM :: The Official Site of Notre Dame Athletics|website=Und.com|access-date=November 16, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151223190232/http://www.und.com/sports/m-footbl/archive/nd-m-fb-a-nattit.html|archive-date=December 23, 2015|url-status=dead}}{{cite web|url=http://125.nd.edu/moments/october-18-1924-the-four-horsemen-arrive/|title=October 18, 1924: The Four Horsemen Arrive // Moments // 125 Football // University of Notre Dame|first=ENR // MarComm:Web // University of Notre|last=Dame|website=125.nd.edu|access-date=June 11, 2017|archive-date=June 2, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170602230753/http://125.nd.edu/moments/october-18-1924-the-four-horsemen-arrive/|url-status=live}} The line was known as the "Seven Mules".{{cite web|url=http://ndfootballhistory.com/category/seven-mules|title=Seven Mules - Forever Irish|website=Ndfootballhistory.com|access-date=November 16, 2017|archive-date=September 28, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170928055739/http://ndfootballhistory.com/category/seven-mules|url-status=live}} The Irish capped an undefeated, 10–0 season with a victory over Stanford in the Rose Bowl. The 1926 team beat Army and was led by Christie Flanagan,{{cite web|url=https://newyorkerstateofmind.com/tag/notre-dame-vs-army/|title=Notre Dame vs. Army – A New Yorker State of Mind|website=Newyorkerstateofmind.com|date=April 25, 2016 |access-date=November 16, 2017|archive-date=September 28, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170928005810/https://newyorkerstateofmind.com/tag/notre-dame-vs-army/|url-status=live}}{{cite web|url=https://www.si.com/vault/1979/09/10/823950/we-know-of-knute-yet-know-him-not-fact-the-real-knute-rockne-was-the-most-successful-of-football-coaches-fancy-the-rockne-of-books-and-film-was-largely-myth|title=We Know of Knute, Yet Know Him Not|first=Coles|last=Phinizy|website=Si.com|access-date=November 16, 2017|archive-date=September 28, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170928005932/https://www.si.com/vault/1979/09/10/823950/we-know-of-knute-yet-know-him-not-fact-the-real-knute-rockne-was-the-most-successful-of-football-coaches-fancy-the-rockne-of-books-and-film-was-largely-myth|url-status=live}} but was undone by a loss to Carnegie Tech in the penultimate game of the season. In this game, Rockne made what an Associated Press writer called "one of the greatest coaching blunders in history" by traveling to Chicago for the Army–Navy Game to "write newspaper articles about it, as well as select an All-America football team." Carnegie Tech used the coach's absence as motivation for a 19–0 win; the upset likely cost the Irish a chance for a national title.{{cite news |author=Robinson, Alan |date=September 9, 2007 |title=Rockne's gaffe remembered |url=http://media.www.dailytexanonline.com/media/storage/paper410/news/2007/09/06/Sports/Rocknes.Gaffe.Remembered-2953261.shtml |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070908073255/http://media.www.dailytexanonline.com/media/storage/paper410/news/2007/09/06/Sports/Rocknes.Gaffe.Remembered-2953261.shtml |archive-date=September 8, 2007 |access-date=September 6, 2007 |work=The Daily Texan |publisher=Texas Student Media |df=mdy}}

File:Football Notre Dame (South Bend) by South Shore Line - DPLA - 48571238a9311c41362cd1d3bdcb643e.jpg

The 1928 team lost to national champion Georgia Tech.{{cite web|url=http://archives.nd.edu/Football/Football-1928.pdf|title=1928 Notre Dame Football|website=Archives.nd.edu|access-date=November 16, 2017|archive-date=March 4, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304045356/http://www.archives.nd.edu/Football/Football-1928.pdf|url-status=live}} "I sat at Grant Field and saw a magnificent Notre Dame team suddenly recoil before the furious pounding of one man–Peter Pund," said Rockne. "Nobody could stop him. I counted 20 scoring plays that this man ruined."{{cite web

|url=http://www.gshf.org/site/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=254&Itemid=50

|title=Henry R. "Peter" Pund

|publisher=Georgia Sports Hall of Fame and Museum

|work=Inductees

|access-date=August 11, 2007

|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070928081502/http://www.gshf.org/site/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=254&Itemid=50

|archive-date=September 28, 2007

|url-status=dead

|df=mdy

}} Among the events that occurred during Rockne's tenure none may be more famous than the Rockne's "Win one for the Gipper" speech.{{cite web|url=http://www.newsday.com/sports/college/college-football/rockne-s-win-one-for-the-gipper-speech-1.2476136|title=Rockne's 'Win one for the Gipper' speech|website=Newsday.com|access-date=November 16, 2017|archive-date=September 28, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170928055802/http://www.newsday.com/sports/college/college-football/rockne-s-win-one-for-the-gipper-speech-1.2476136|url-status=live}} Army came into the 1928 matchup undefeated and was the clear favorite.{{cite web|url=https://www.nytimes.com/packages/html/sports/year_in_sports/11.10.html|title=The New York Times: This Day In Sports|website=The New York Times|access-date=November 16, 2017|archive-date=January 7, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180107130813/http://www.nytimes.com/packages/html/sports/year_in_sports/11.10.html|url-status=live}} Notre Dame, on the other hand, was having their worst season under Rockne's leadership and entered the game with a 4–2 record. At the end of the half Army was leading and looked to be in command of the game. Rockne entered the locker room and gave his account of Gipp's final words: "I've got to go, Rock. It's all right. I'm not afraid. Some time, Rock, when the team is up against it, when things are going wrong and the breaks are beating the boys, tell them to go in there with all they've got and win just one for the Gipper. I don't know where I'll be then, Rock. But I'll know about it, and I'll be happy."{{cite web|url=http://125.nd.edu/moments/this-day-in-history-win-one-for-the-gipper/|title=This Day In History: Win One For The Gipper // Moments // 125 Football // University of Notre Dame|first=ENR // MarComm:Web // University of Notre|last=Dame|website=125.nd.edu|access-date=June 11, 2017|archive-date=May 13, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170513093357/http://125.nd.edu/moments/this-day-in-history-win-one-for-the-gipper/|url-status=live}} The speech inspired the team and they went on to upset Army and win the game 12–6.{{cite web|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2010/11/17/sports/ncaafootball/17army.html|title=Army-Notre Dame Game Stirs Yankee Stadium's Football Ghosts|first=Bill|last=Pennington|date=November 16, 2010|website=The New York Times|access-date=November 16, 2017|archive-date=August 12, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170812064642/http://www.nytimes.com/2010/11/17/sports/ncaafootball/17army.html|url-status=live}}

The 1929 and 1930 teams both went undefeated,{{cite web|url=https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/schools/notre-dame/1929-schedule.html|title=1929 Notre Dame Fighting Irish Schedule and Results|website=College Football at Sports-Reference.com|access-date=November 16, 2017|archive-date=September 3, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170903121643/https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/schools/notre-dame/1929-schedule.html|url-status=live}}{{cite web|url=https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/schools/notre-dame/1930-schedule.html|title=1930 Notre Dame Fighting Irish Schedule and Results|website=College Football at Sports-Reference.com|access-date=November 16, 2017|archive-date=September 3, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170903122313/https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/schools/notre-dame/1930-schedule.html|url-status=live}} winning national championships,{{cite web|url=https://www.uhnd.com/history/national-championships/notre-dame-1929-national-championship/|title=Notre Dame's 1929 National Championship - Notre Dame Football History|date=June 24, 2013|website=Uhnd.com|access-date=November 16, 2017|archive-date=September 3, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170903075548/https://www.uhnd.com/history/national-championships/notre-dame-1929-national-championship/|url-status=live}}{{cite web|url=https://www.uhnd.com/history/national-championships/notre-dame-1930-national-championship/|title=Notre Dame's 1930 National Championship // Notre Dame Football History|date=July 3, 2013|website=Uhnd.com|access-date=November 16, 2017|archive-date=September 3, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170903081508/https://www.uhnd.com/history/national-championships/notre-dame-1930-national-championship/|url-status=live}} and the 1930 team was led by the likes of Frank Carideo, Joe Savoldi, Marchy Schwartz and Marty Brill. It featured the first and only example of all four members of a backfield being named to an All-American team during the same season. The 1929 team played all of its games on the road while the new Notre Dame Stadium was being built.{{cite web|url=http://archives.nd.edu/Football/Football-1929.pdf|title=1929 Notre Dame Football|website=Archives.nd.edu|access-date=November 16, 2017|archive-date=June 5, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190605164505/http://archives.nd.edu/Football/Football-1929.pdf|url-status=live}} In 1930, "Jumping Joe" Savoldi scored the first Notre Dame touchdown in the new stadium on a 98-yard kickoff return.{{cite web|url=http://www.tiptop25.com/champ1930.html|title=1930 College Football National Championship|website=Tiptop25.com|access-date=November 16, 2017|archive-date=September 3, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170903080003/http://www.tiptop25.com/champ1930.html|url-status=live}} Savoldi is also known as "the first hero in the lore of Notre Dame's Stadium" based on scoring three touchdowns in the official stadium dedication game against Navy the following week.{{cite web|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=1955&dat=19301012&id=sG8hAAAAIBAJ&pg=2617,2207104&hl=en|title=Reading Eagle - Google News Archive Search|website=News.google.com|access-date=November 16, 2017|archive-date=April 6, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220406234136/https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=1955&dat=19301012&id=sG8hAAAAIBAJ&pg=2617,2207104&hl=en|url-status=live}} Rockne coached his last game on December 14, 1930, when he led a group of Notre Dame all-stars against the New York Giants in New York City.{{cite web|url=http://mmqb.si.com/2014/05/20/nfl-history-in-95-objects-notre-dame-new-york-giants-program|title=Notre Dame vs. New York Giants 1930 Game Program|website=Mmqb.si.com|date=May 20, 2014 |access-date=November 16, 2017|archive-date=February 2, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170202145507/http://mmqb.si.com/2014/05/20/nfl-history-in-95-objects-notre-dame-new-york-giants-program|url-status=live}}{{cite web|url=http://www.smithsonianmag.com/history/the-game-that-put-the-nfls-reputation-on-the-line-84128969/|title=The Game that Put the NFL's Reputation on the Line|first=Gilbert|last=King|website=Smithsonianmag.com|access-date=November 16, 2017|archive-date=September 3, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170903074551/http://www.smithsonianmag.com/history/the-game-that-put-the-nfls-reputation-on-the-line-84128969/|url-status=live}} The game raised funds for the Mayor's Relief Committee for the unemployed and needy of the city.{{cite web |title=Rockne's Last Game |url=http://hapmoran.org/giantsnd/Giants_vs_Notre_Dame_page1.htm |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110726140844/http://hapmoran.org/giantsnd/Giants_vs_Notre_Dame_page1.htm |archive-date=July 26, 2011 |access-date=May 24, 2008}} 50,000 fans turned out to see the reunited "Four Horsemen" along with players from Rockne's other championship teams take the field against the pros.New York Times December 15, 1930

On March 31, 1931, Rockne died at age 43 in the crash of a Transcontinental & Western Air airliner in Kansas; he was on his way to help in the production of the film The Spirit of Notre Dame.{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/learning/general/onthisday/bday/0304.html|title=Knute Rocke Dies with Seven Others in Mail Plane Dive|work=The New York Times |access-date=November 16, 2017|archive-date=September 15, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170915113939/http://www.nytimes.com/learning/general/onthisday/bday/0304.html|url-status=live}}{{cite web|url=https://www.nytimes.com/movie/review?res=9F0CEEDB123BE23ABC4E52DFB667838A629EDE|title=Movie Review: The Screen – Close-Ups of Gridiron Stars|website=The New York Times|access-date=November 16, 2017|archive-date=December 1, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161201144104/http://www.nytimes.com/movie/review?res=9F0CEEDB123BE23ABC4E52DFB667838A629EDE|url-status=live}}{{cite web|url=https://www.tcm.com/tcmdb/title/91080/the-spirit-of-notre-dame|title=The Spirit of Notre Dame (1931) - Overview - TCM.com|website=Turner Classic Movies|access-date=June 18, 2017|archive-date=September 15, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170915070409/http://www.tcm.com/tcmdb/title/91080/The-Spirit-of-Notre-Dame/|url-status=live}} The crash site is located in a remote expanse of Kansas known as the Flint Hills and now features a Rockne Memorial.{{cite web |url=http://www.collegefootball.org/news.php?id=295 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081007022928/http://www.collegefootball.org/news.php?id=295 |url-status=dead |archive-date=October 7, 2008 |publisher=College Football News |title=College Football Hall of Fame's "Road Show" Kansas-Bound for Unveiling of Knute Rockne Memorial |access-date=May 24, 2008 |df=mdy-all }} As Notre Dame's head coach from 1918 to 1930, Rockne posted what has remained for decades the all-time highest winning percentage (.881) for a football coach in the NCAA's flagship FBS division.{{cite web |last=Scofield |first=Dan |title=The True Story Of Knute Rockne, College Football's Most Renowned Coach |url=http://bleacherreport.com/articles/265043-the-true-story-of-knute-rockne-college-footballs-most-renowned-coach |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170915113307/http://bleacherreport.com/articles/265043-the-true-story-of-knute-rockne-college-footballs-most-renowned-coach |archive-date=September 15, 2017 |access-date=June 11, 2017 |publisher=Bleacher Report}}{{cite web|url=http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/knute-rockne-born|title=Knute Rockne born - Mar 04, 1888|website=History.com|access-date=November 16, 2017|archive-date=November 11, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171111094139/http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/knute-rockne-born|url-status=live}} During his 13-year tenure as head coach of the Fighting Irish, Rockne collected 105 victories, 12 losses, 5 ties and 3 national championships.{{cite web |title=Knute Rockne Coaching Record |url=https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/coaches/knute-rockne-1.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160405102645/http://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/coaches/knute-rockne-1.html |archive-date=April 5, 2016 |access-date=November 16, 2017 |website=College Football at Sports-Reference.com}}{{cite web|url=http://www.und.com/trads/rockne.html|title=UND.COM :: The Official Site of Notre Dame Athletics|website=Und.com|access-date=November 16, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171116022856/http://www.und.com/trads/rockne.html|archive-date=November 16, 2017|url-status=dead}} Rockne also coached Notre Dame to 5 undefeated and untied seasons.

Through game broadcasts during the Golden Age of Radio, Notre Dame football gained a nationwide following of "subway alumni", Catholics who became fans whether or not they attended the university.{{cite news | url=http://thequad.blogs.nytimes.com/2012/11/23/for-a-notre-dame-family-a-legacy-of-optimism-with-an-asterisk-or-two/ | title=For a Notre Dame Family, a Legacy of Optimism (With an Asterisk or Two) | work=The New York Times | date=November 23, 2012 | access-date=November 23, 2012 | author=Carter, Bill | archive-date=November 24, 2012 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121124061254/http://thequad.blogs.nytimes.com/2012/11/23/for-a-notre-dame-family-a-legacy-of-optimism-with-an-asterisk-or-two/ | url-status=live }} Former Saint Louis head coach Heartley "Hunk" Anderson was promoted from assistant coach and took the helm of the Irish after Knute Rockne's death, leading them to a record of 16 wins, nine losses, and two ties.{{cite web|url=https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/coaches/hunk-anderson-1.html|title=Hunk Anderson Coaching Record|website=College Football at Sports-Reference.com|access-date=November 16, 2017|archive-date=August 12, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170812102651/https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/coaches/hunk-anderson-1.html|url-status=live}} Anderson was a former Irish player under Rockne and was serving as an assistant coach at the time of Rockne's death. Notre Dame finished 6–2–1 in 1931.{{cite web|url=https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/schools/notre-dame/1931-schedule.html|title=1931 Notre Dame Fighting Irish Schedule and Results|website=College Football at Sports-Reference.com|access-date=November 16, 2017|archive-date=August 12, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170812063834/https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/schools/notre-dame/1931-schedule.html|url-status=live}} The Irish lost a heartbreaker by a score of 16–14 to USC on November 21 that snapped the program's 26-game unbeaten streak.{{cite web|url=http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/usc-ends-notre-dame-winning-streak|title=USC ends Notre Dame winning streak - Nov 21, 1931|website=History.com|access-date=November 16, 2017|archive-date=November 24, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171124124526/http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/usc-ends-notre-dame-winning-streak|url-status=live}} 1933 was a tough year for the Irish as they finished with a 3–5–2 record, the first losing season for the program since 1888. ND suffered a four-game losing streak, failing to score a point in all four losses to Carnegie Tech, Pittsburgh, Navy, and Purdue.{{cite web |title=1933 Notre Dame Fighting Irish Schedule and Results |url=https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/schools/notre-dame/1933-schedule.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170812060614/https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/schools/notre-dame/1933-schedule.html |archive-date=August 12, 2017 |access-date=November 16, 2017 |website=College Football at Sports-Reference.com}} Anderson resigned as Irish head coach after the 1933 season to accept the position of head football coach at NC State.{{cite web |date=October 4, 2016 |title=TheWolfpacker.com - NC State football has past ties with Notre Dame |url=https://ncstate.rivals.com/news/nc-state-football-has-past-ties-with-notre-dame |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170812063100/https://ncstate.rivals.com/news/nc-state-football-has-past-ties-with-notre-dame |archive-date=August 12, 2017 |access-date=November 16, 2017 |website=Ncstate.rivals.com}}

File:1924-Four-Horsemen-Notre-Dame.jpg

Anderson was replaced by Elmer Layden, who was one of Rockne's "Four Horsemen" of 1924. After graduating, Layden played professional football for one year and then began a coaching career.{{cite web |title=Elmer Layden Bio :: Notre Dame Football :: UND.COM :: The Official Site of Notre Dame Athletics |url=http://www.und.com/sports/m-footbl/mtt/layden_elmer00.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180820005749/http://www.und.com/sports/m-footbl/mtt/layden_elmer00.html |archive-date=2018-08-20 |access-date=2018-08-19}}

Layden's 1935 squad posted one of the greatest wins in school history by rallying to defeat Ohio State by a score of 18–13 in a game billed as the "Game of the Century".{{cite web|url=http://www.foxsports.com/college-football/story/notre-dame-fighting-irish-ohio-state-buckeyes-all-time-series-shakespeare-010116|title=The Ohio State-Notre Dame series is nothing if not unique - FOX Sports|date=January 1, 2016|access-date=May 29, 2017|archive-date=September 26, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170926042325/http://www.foxsports.com/college-football/story/notre-dame-fighting-irish-ohio-state-buckeyes-all-time-series-shakespeare-010116|url-status=live}}{{cite web|url=http://125.nd.edu/moments/notre-dames-first-game-of-the-century-1935/|title=Notre Dame's First "Game of the Century," 1935 // Moments // 125 Football // University of Notre Dame|first=ENR // MarComm:Web // University of Notre|last=Dame|website=125.nd.edu|access-date=June 11, 2017|archive-date=July 26, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170726064322/http://125.nd.edu/moments/notre-dames-first-game-of-the-century-1935/|url-status=live}} His 1938 team finished 8–1, losing only to USC in the season finale.{{cite web |title=1938 Notre Dame Fighting Irish Schedule and Results |url=https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/schools/notre-dame/1938-schedule.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170926144328/https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/schools/notre-dame/1938-schedule.html |archive-date=September 26, 2017 |access-date=November 16, 2017 |website=College Football at Sports-Reference.com}} This loss cost them a possible consensus national championship, but the team was named national champion by the Dickinson System.{{cite web|url=http://www.collegefootballpoll.com/champions_national.html|title=College Football Poll.com|website=Collegefootballpoll.com|access-date=November 16, 2017|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110708175404/http://www.collegefootballpoll.com/champions_national.html|archive-date=July 8, 2011|df=mdy-all}}

Like Rockne before him, Layden was a goodwill ambassador for Notre Dame during his time as head coach.{{cite web|url=http://stevencwelsh.com/nd/notre-dame-ad-sept-103.php|title=Notre Dame Football :: Depth Chart :: SCW|website=Stevencwelsh.com|access-date=November 16, 2017|archive-date=September 26, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170926042644/http://stevencwelsh.com/nd/notre-dame-ad-sept-103.php|url-status=live}}{{cite web|url=https://magazine.nd.edu/news/domers-in-the-news-4/|title=Domers in the news // News // Notre Dame Magazine // University of Notre Dame|first=ENR/PAZ // University Communications: Web // University of Notre|last=Dame|website=magazine.nd.edu|date=December 4, 2008 }} He was able to schedule a home-and-home series with Michigan after meeting with Fielding H. Yost, healing a rift between the two schools.{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=zk92GDJuDWIC&q=elmer+layden+fielding+yost&pg=PA120|title=Natural Enemies: Major College Football's Oldest, Fiercest Rivalry-Michigan vs. Notre Dame|first=John|last=Kryk|date=August 20, 2007|publisher=Taylor Trade Publishing|isbn=9781461733737|via=Google Books}} The two teams had not met since 1909, when, after eight straight losses to the Wolverines, the Irish posted their first win.{{cite web|url=http://www.archives.nd.edu/about/news/index.php/2010/nd-vs-michigan/|title=Notre Dame vs. Michigan - Notre Dame Archives News & Notes|website=Archives.nd.edu|date=9 September 2010|access-date=November 16, 2017|archive-date=September 8, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190908072804/http://www.archives.nd.edu/about/news/index.php/2010/nd-vs-michigan/|url-status=live}}{{cite web|url=http://bleacherreport.com/articles/1348076-michigan-notre-dame-gridiron-feud-dates-back-to-1909|title=Michigan vs. Notre Dame Gridiron Feud Dates Back to 1909|first=Joel|last=Greer|website=Bleacher Report|access-date=June 11, 2017|archive-date=September 26, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170926041909/http://bleacherreport.com/articles/1348076-michigan-notre-dame-gridiron-feud-dates-back-to-1909|url-status=live}} They were scheduled to meet again in 1910, but Michigan canceled the game and refused to play the Irish again. By the time they met again in 1943, Layden had left Notre Dame and Frank Leahy had taken his place.

The Irish posted a record of 47 wins, 13 losses, and three ties in seven years under Layden,{{cite web |title=Elmer Layden Coaching Record |url=https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/coaches/elmer-layden-1.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170928060234/https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/coaches/elmer-layden-1.html |archive-date=September 28, 2017 |access-date=November 16, 2017 |website=College Football at Sports-Reference.com}} the most successful record of a Notre Dame coach not to win a national championship.{{cite web |date=July 1, 1973 |title=Elmer Layden Dead |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1973/07/01/archives/elmer-layden-dead-fullback-of-notre-dames-4-horsemen-pierced.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170928060534/http://www.nytimes.com/1973/07/01/archives/elmer-layden-dead-fullback-of-notre-dames-4-horsemen-pierced.html |archive-date=September 28, 2017 |access-date=November 16, 2017 |website=The New York Times}} He left Notre Dame after the 1940 season to become Commissioner of the National Football League.

File:Frank Leahy 1949.png

Boston College head coach Frank Leahy was hired by Notre Dame to take over for Layden in 1941 and was another former Irish player who played during the Rockne era. After graduating from Notre Dame, 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.{{cite web |title=Frank Leahy Bio :: Notre Dame Football :: UND.COM :: The Official Site of Notre Dame Athletics |url=http://www.und.com/sports/m-footbl/mtt/frank_leahy_94848.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180820005826/http://www.und.com/sports/m-footbl/mtt/frank_leahy_94848.html |archive-date=2018-08-20 |access-date=2018-08-19}} He then coached the Boston College Eagles to a win in the 1941 Sugar Bowl and a share of the national championship.{{cite web|url=http://www.und.com/sports/m-footbl/spec-rel/111715aaa.html|title=Frank Leahy: A Coach For Two Schools|access-date=2018-08-19|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180820005933/http://www.und.com/sports/m-footbl/spec-rel/111715aaa.html|archive-date=2018-08-20|url-status=dead}}{{cite web|url=https://www.saturdaydownsouth.com/games/1941sugarbowltennvsbc/|title=1941 Sugar Bowl Tennessee vs Boston College|date=August 1, 2014|access-date=June 11, 2017|archive-date=September 28, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170928010145/https://www.saturdaydownsouth.com/games/1941sugarbowltennvsbc/|url-status=live}} His move to Notre Dame began a new period of gridiron success for the Irish and ensured Leahy's place among the winningest coaches in the history of college football.{{College Football HoF|id=1606|name=Frank "The Master" Leahy |access-date=April 27, 2008}}

Leahy coached the team for 11 seasons from 1941 to 1943 and 1946 to 1953. After finishing in the AP top 10 each of his first two seasons, Leahy's 1943 team went 9–1 and captured Notre Dame's fourth national championship (and first since the advent of the AP Poll). Quarterback Angelo Bertelli became Notre Dame's first Heisman Trophy winner. From 1944 to 1945, Leahy served in the U.S. Navy during World War II and was honorably discharged as a captain.{{cite web|url=http://125.nd.edu/moments/frank-leahy-joins-the-navy/|title=Frank Leahy Joins The Navy // Moments // 125 Football // University of Notre Dame|first=ENR // MarComm:Web // University of Notre|last=Dame|website=125.nd.edu|access-date=June 11, 2017|archive-date=June 10, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170610144944/http://125.nd.edu/moments/frank-leahy-joins-the-navy/|url-status=live}} Edward McKeever, Leahy's assistant coach, became interim head coach when Leahy left for the Navy.{{cite web|url=http://www.und.com/sports/m-footbl/mtt/mckeever_ed00.html|title=Ed McKeever Bio :: Notre Dame Football :: UND.COM :: The Official Site of Notre Dame Athletics|access-date=2018-08-19|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180820005945/http://www.und.com/sports/m-footbl/mtt/mckeever_ed00.html|archive-date=2018-08-20|url-status=dead}} During 1944, his one year at the helm, the Irish managed 8 wins and 2 losses.{{cite web|url=https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/schools/notre-dame/1944-schedule.html|title=1944 Notre Dame Fighting Irish Schedule and Results|website=College Football at Sports-Reference.com|access-date=November 16, 2017|archive-date=September 28, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170928060317/https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/schools/notre-dame/1944-schedule.html|url-status=live}} McKeever left Notre Dame in 1945 to take over as head coach of Cornell.{{cite web|url=http://cdsun.library.cornell.edu/cgi-bin/cornell?a=d&d=CDS19500919-01.2.61|title=The Cornell Daily Sun 19 September 1950 — The Cornell Daily Sun|website=cdsun.library.cornell.edu|access-date=June 11, 2017|archive-date=September 28, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170928005815/http://cdsun.library.cornell.edu/cgi-bin/cornell?a=d&d=CDS19500919-01.2.61|url-status=live}} For the 1945 season, he was replaced by Hugh Devore, who led the Irish to a 7–2–1 record.{{cite web|url=https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/schools/notre-dame/1945-schedule.html|title=1945 Notre Dame Fighting Irish Schedule and Results|website=College Football at Sports-Reference.com|access-date=November 16, 2017|archive-date=September 28, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170928060003/https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/schools/notre-dame/1945-schedule.html|url-status=live}}

Upon Leahy's return in 1946 and due to his status as a veteran himself, the Irish heavily recruited returning veterans who were often much older than incoming freshmen. Largely thanks to this influx of talent, Notre Dame went four consecutive seasons after World War II without losing a game, winning the 1946, 1947, and 1949 national championships in the process.{{Cite web |last=Weinreb |first=Michael |date=February 4, 2015 |title=» How Notre Dame's 1946 Class Forever Altered the Recruiting Landscape |url=https://grantland.com/the-triangle/notre-dame-frank-leahy-1946-football-recruiting-class-signing-day-impact/ |access-date=2024-08-19 |website=Grantland |language=en-US}} The 1946 game against Army, ending in a 0–0 tie, pitted two of the greatest teams of all time against each other and included three consecutive Heisman Trophy winners (Army's Doc Blanchard and Glenn Davis and Notre Dame's Johnny Lujack, who quarterbacked the 1946 and 1947 Irish). The 1948 team missed out on a national championship due only to a 14–14 tie at USC in the final game of the season. In 1949, Notre Dame went unbeaten and untied for the second time in three seasons behind Heisman Trophy-winning end Leon Hart, who would later be selected first overall in the 1950 NFL Draft. A fifth national championship was lost because of a 1953 tie against Iowa, in a game that featured 1953 Heisman Trophy winner Johnny Lattner{{cite web |title=Heisman Trophy |url=http://heisman.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=19 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171204203410/http://heisman.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=19 |archive-date=December 4, 2017 |access-date=November 16, 2017 |website=Heisman.com}} that caused a minor scandal at the time, when it appeared that some Irish players had faked injuries to stop the clock, leading some to nickname those players the "Fainting Irish".{{cite web |date=28 January 2014 |title=Historical Debate: The '53 Fainting Irish |url=http://www.everydayshouldbesaturday.com/2014/1/28/5354924/historical-debate-iowa-and-notre-dame |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170928145825/https://www.everydayshouldbesaturday.com/2014/1/28/5354924/historical-debate-iowa-and-notre-dame |archive-date=September 28, 2017 |access-date=June 11, 2017}}{{cite web |title=Golden Memories |url=http://www.und.com/sports/m-footbl/spec-rel/110903aaa.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151210220718/http://www.und.com/sports/m-footbl/spec-rel/110903aaa.html |archive-date=2015-12-10 |access-date=2018-08-19}}{{cite web |date=January 4, 2013 |title=Hawkeye Flashback: 1953 Notre Dame |url=http://nealrozendaal.com/2013/01/04/hawkeye-flashback-1953-notre-dame/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170928010401/http://nealrozendaal.com/2013/01/04/hawkeye-flashback-1953-notre-dame/ |archive-date=September 28, 2017 |access-date=August 19, 2018}}

Leahy retired in 1954 reportedly due to health issues.{{cite web|url=https://www.si.com/vault/1955/10/31/596398/subject-frank-leahy|title=Subject: Frank Leahy|first=Gerald|last=Holland|access-date=June 11, 2017|archive-date=September 28, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170928055839/https://www.si.com/vault/1955/10/31/596398/subject-frank-leahy|url-status=live}} Perhaps the best example of this occurred during the Georgia Tech game in 1953. Leahy fell ill during the game, which led to him collapsing during halftime.{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=-oyvMRckq0gC&q=frank+leahy+collapse+georgia+tech+1953&pg=PA46|title=A Farewell to Glory: The Rise and Fall of an Epic Football Rivalry Boston College Vs. Holy Cross|first=Wally|last=Carew|date=September 1, 2012|publisher=Xlibris Corporation|isbn=9781479702503|via=Google Books}}{{Self-published inline|certain=yes|date=December 2017}} The situation was so dire that a priest was called in to give Leahy Catholic last rites.{{cite web|url=https://notredame.rivals.com/news/notre-dame-father-hesburgh-a-centennial-remembered|title=BlueAndGold.com - Notre Dame & Father Hesburgh: A Centennial Remembered|date=May 25, 2017|access-date=June 11, 2017|archive-date=July 1, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170701005055/https://notredame.rivals.com/news/notre-dame-father-hesburgh-a-centennial-remembered|url-status=live}} However, Leahy recovered, and the consequent diagnosis was that he was suffering from nervous tension and pancreatitis.Gildea, William; Jennison, Christopher (1976). The Fighting Irish: Notre Dame Football Through the Years. Englewood Cliffs, NJ: Prentice-Hall. {{ISBN|0-13-314641-3}}

Leahy has the second highest winning percentage (.864) of any college coach in history. He led the Irish to a record of 87 wins, 11 losses, and nine ties including 39 consecutive games without a loss (37–0–2), four national championships, and six undefeated seasons.{{cite web |title=Frank Leahy Coaching Record |url=https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/coaches/frank-leahy-1.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170928060303/https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/coaches/frank-leahy-1.html |archive-date=September 28, 2017 |access-date=November 16, 2017 |website=College Football at Sports-Reference.com}}

The departure of Frank Leahy ushered in a downward slope in Notre Dame's performance.{{cite web|url=https://magazine.nd.edu/news/notre-dame-football-the-indisputable-importance-of-saturday/|title=Notre Dame Football: The Indisputable Importance of Saturday // News // Notre Dame Magazine // University of Notre Dame|first=ENR/PAZ // University Communications: Web // University of Notre|last=Dame|website=magazine.nd.edu|date=May 7, 2005 |access-date=June 11, 2017|archive-date=September 11, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170911172830/https://magazine.nd.edu/news/notre-dame-football-the-indisputable-importance-of-saturday/|url-status=live}} 25-year old assistant coach Terry Brennan was hired as Frank Leahy's successor as the Notre Dame head coach in 1954 and would stay until 1958. Brennan was a former player under Leahy. Before joining the Irish, he had coached the Mount Carmel High School team in Chicago.{{cite web |title=Terry Brennan Bio :: Notre Dame Football :: UND.COM :: The Official Site of Notre Dame Athletics |url=http://www.und.com/sports/m-footbl/mtt/brennan_terry00.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180820074607/http://www.und.com/sports/m-footbl/mtt/brennan_terry00.html |archive-date=2018-08-20 |access-date=2018-08-19}} His first two seasons the Irish were ranked fourth and ninth respectively in the AP poll, with a loss to Purdue the only blemish on the 1954 team's schedule.{{cite web|url=http://www.und.com/sports/m-footbl/archive/nd-m-footbl-archive.html|title=Notre Dame Football Archives :: Notre Dame Football :: UND.COM :: The Official Site of Notre Dame Athletics|website=Und.com|access-date=November 16, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171128073549/http://www.und.com/sports/m-footbl/archive/nd-m-footbl-archive.html|archive-date=November 28, 2017|url-status=dead}} It was the 1956 season that began to darken Brennan's reputation, for it became one of the most dismal in the team's history and saw them finish the season with a mere two wins, including losses to Michigan State, Oklahoma, and Iowa.{{cite web|url=http://125.nd.edu/moments/notre-dames-fifth-heisman-trophy-paul-hornung-1956/|title=Notre Dame's Fifth Heisman Trophy: Paul Hornung (1956) // Moments // 125 Football // University of Notre Dame|first=ENR // MarComm:Web // University of Notre|last=Dame|website=125.nd.edu|access-date=June 11, 2017|archive-date=March 13, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170313064633/http://125.nd.edu/moments/notre-dames-fifth-heisman-trophy-paul-hornung-1956/|url-status=live}} One bright spot in the 1956 season was the awarding of the Heisman Trophy to Paul Hornung, who would go on to a legendary NFL career with the Green Bay Packers. Hornung is the only Heisman winner to win the award while playing for a team that had a losing record.{{cite web |title=Heisman Trophy |url=http://heisman.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=22 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171030191941/http://heisman.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=22 |archive-date=October 30, 2017 |access-date=November 16, 2017 |website=Heisman.com}} The Irish would recover the following season, posting a record of 7–3{{cite web|url=https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/schools/notre-dame/1957-schedule.html|title=1957 Notre Dame Fighting Irish Schedule and Results|website=College Football at Sports-Reference.com|access-date=November 16, 2017|archive-date=September 28, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170928060213/https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/schools/notre-dame/1957-schedule.html|url-status=live}} and including in their wins a stunning upset of Oklahoma, in Norman, Oklahoma, that ended the Sooners' still-standing record of 47 consecutive wins.{{cite news|url=https://www.espn.com/colleges/oklahoma/football/story/_/id/8552757/reliving-1957-oklahoma-sooners-loss-notre-dame-fighting-irish-snapped-ou-47-game-win-streak|title=Reliving the end of OU's 47-game win streak|newspaper=Espn.com |date=26 October 2012|access-date=June 11, 2017|archive-date=September 28, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170928010059/http://www.espn.com/colleges/oklahoma/football/story/_/id/8552757/reliving-1957-oklahoma-sooners-loss-notre-dame-fighting-irish-snapped-ou-47-game-win-streak|url-status=live}} In Brennan's final season, though, the Irish finished 6–4,{{cite web|url=https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/schools/notre-dame/1958-schedule.html|title=1958 Notre Dame Fighting Irish Schedule and Results|website=College Football at Sports-Reference.com|access-date=November 16, 2017|archive-date=September 28, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170928103006/https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/schools/notre-dame/1958-schedule.html|url-status=live}} leading to Brennan's firing in mid-December.{{cite web|url=http://archives.chicagotribune.com/1958/12/22/page/53/article/notre-dame-discharges-terry-brennan|title=Chicago Tribune - Historical Newspapers|access-date=June 11, 2017|archive-date=November 7, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231107160936/https://www.chicagotribune.com/|url-status=live}} Brennan's tenure can only be properly framed with the understanding that in a time of zero scholarship limitations in college football, Notre Dame's administration inexplicably began a process of de-emphasizing football, severely cutting scholarships and hindering Brennan from building a roster of any meaningful depth.{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=eNThHqwUK7kC&q=notre+dame+scholarship+football+cuts+1950s&pg=PA33|title=The USA Today College Football Encyclopedia|first1=Bob|last1=Boyles|first2=Paul|last2=Guido|date=September 27, 2017|publisher=Skyhorse Publishing Inc.|isbn=9781602396777|via=Google Books|access-date=October 5, 2020|archive-date=November 7, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231107161013/https://books.google.com/books?id=eNThHqwUK7kC&q=notre+dame+scholarship+football+cuts+1950s&pg=PA33#v=onepage&q=notre%20dame%20scholarship%20football%20cuts%201950s&f=false|url-status=live}} He departed with a total of 32 wins and 18 losses.{{cite web |title=Terry Brennan Coaching Record |url=https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/coaches/terry-brennan-1.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170928055859/https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/coaches/terry-brennan-1.html |archive-date=September 28, 2017 |access-date=November 16, 2017 |website=College Football at Sports-Reference.com}}

Former San Francisco, Chicago Cardinals and Washington Redskins head coach Joe Kuharich took the head coaching position at Notre Dame in 1959, realizing a longtime ambition to return to his alma mater.{{cite web|url=http://archives.chicagotribune.com/1959/10/11/page/276/article/joe-couldnt-say-no-to-notre-dame|title=Chicago Tribune - Historical Newspapers|access-date=June 3, 2017|archive-date=September 26, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170926100055/http://archives.chicagotribune.com/1959/10/11/page/276/article/joe-couldnt-say-no-to-notre-dame/|url-status=live}}{{cite web|url=http://www.und.com/sports/m-footbl/mtt/kuharich_joe00.html|title=Joe Kuharich Bio :: Notre Dame Football :: UND.COM :: The Official Site of Notre Dame Athletics|access-date=2018-08-19|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180820074605/http://www.und.com/sports/m-footbl/mtt/kuharich_joe00.html|archive-date=2018-08-20|url-status=dead}} He had earlier been courted by Notre Dame after the 1956 season, after the Irish finished 2–8, but before he had a chance to accept an offer, Terry Brennan was given a reprieve.{{cite web|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1981/01/26/sports/joe-kuharich-dies-coached-eagles-irish.html|title=Joe Kuharich Dies; Coached Eagles, Irish|first=Thomas|last=Rogers|date=September 27, 1981|website=The New York Times|access-date=November 16, 2017|archive-date=September 26, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170926100314/http://www.nytimes.com/1981/01/26/sports/joe-kuharich-dies-coached-eagles-irish.html|url-status=live}} Kuharich brought a professional touch to Irish football, putting shamrocks on the players' helmets and shoulder stripes on their jerseys.{{cite web|url=https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/coaches/joe-kuharich-1.html|title=Joe Kuharich Coaching Record|website=College Football at Sports-Reference.com|access-date=November 16, 2017|archive-date=September 26, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170926100447/https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/coaches/joe-kuharich-1.html|url-status=live}} However, his tenure became one of the worst stretches in program history, including a school-record eight-game losing streak in 1960, a year in which the Irish finished 2–8.{{cite web|url=https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/schools/notre-dame/1960-schedule.html|title=1960 Notre Dame Fighting Irish Schedule and Results|website=College Football at Sports-Reference.com|access-date=November 16, 2017|archive-date=September 26, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170926100812/https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/schools/notre-dame/1960-schedule.html|url-status=live}} The consensus opinion was that Kuharich never made the adjustment from pro football to college football, attempting to use complicated pro coaching techniques with collegiate players, and never adapted to the limited substitution rules in effect at the time, having big, immobile linemen playing both ways in an era where smaller, quicker players were preferred. He often said, "You win some and you lose some", and seemed perfectly content finishing 5–5 every year. This did not sit well with the Irish faithful, who expected Notre Dame to beat everybody.{{cite web |title=Chicago Tribune - Historical Newspapers |url=http://archives.chicagotribune.com/1981/01/27/page/50/article/joe-kuharich-a-great-football-mind-is-remembered/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170926042152/http://archives.chicagotribune.com/1981/01/27/page/50/article/joe-kuharich-a-great-football-mind-is-remembered/ |archive-date=September 26, 2017 |access-date=June 3, 2017}} When the pressure of winning became too much to bear, Kuharich resigned in the spring of 1963 and assumed the post of supervisor of NFL officials. Because it was so late in the spring, the freshman team's coach Hugh Devore was named head coach for the 1963 season while the search for a permanent replacement was being conducted.{{cite web|url=https://www.si.com/vault/1963/10/28/594317/the-enigma-of-the-interim-coach|title=The enigma of the interim coach|access-date=June 10, 2017|archive-date=September 26, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170926042016/https://www.si.com/vault/1963/10/28/594317/the-enigma-of-the-interim-coach|url-status=live}}

Kuharich compiled a 17–23 record over four non-winning seasons and remains to this day the only coach ever to have an overall losing record at Notre Dame. Despite his unsuccessful tenure, Kuharich remains the only Irish coach to post back-to-back shutouts over their greatest rival, the USC Trojans, in 1960 (17–0) and 1961 (30–0).{{cite web |title=Chicago Tribune - Historical Newspapers |url=http://archives.chicagotribune.com/1981/01/27/page/50/article/joe-kuharich-a-great-football-mind-is-remembered |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170926042152/http://archives.chicagotribune.com/1981/01/27/page/50/article/joe-kuharich-a-great-football-mind-is-remembered/ |archive-date=2017-09-26 |access-date=2018-08-19}}

File:Parseghian statue.JPG

In 1964, Ara Parseghian left his job as the Northwestern head football coach when he was hired to take over the coaching duties at Notre Dame.{{cite web|url=http://newsok.com/article/3887052|title=Ara Parseghian remains a Notre Dame institution|date=September 26, 2013|access-date=June 3, 2017|archive-date=July 29, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170729142451/http://newsok.com/article/3887052|url-status=live}} He immediately brought the team back to a level of success in Irish football history that was comparable only to Rockne and Leahy. These three coaches have an 80% or greater winning percentage while at Notre Dame – Rockne at .881, Leahy at .864, and Parseghian at .836. Parseghian's teams never won fewer than seven nor lost more than three games during the ten-game regular seasons of the era.{{cite web|url=https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/coaches/ara-parseghian-1.html|title=Ara Parseghian Coaching Record|website=College Football at Sports-Reference.com|access-date=November 16, 2017|archive-date=August 3, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170803094915/https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/coaches/ara-parseghian-1.html|url-status=live}}

In his first year, the Irish improved their record to 9–1 behind Heisman Trophy-winning quarterback John Huarte, but they lost any hope for a national championship in the last game of the season at USC when Craig Fertig connected with a touchdown pass to Rod Sherman.{{cite web|url=https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/schools/notre-dame/1964-schedule.html|title=1964 Notre Dame Fighting Irish Schedule and Results|website=College Football at Sports-Reference.com|access-date=November 16, 2017|archive-date=September 28, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170928102905/https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/schools/notre-dame/1964-schedule.html|url-status=live}} Parseghian earned coach of the year honors from the American Football Coaches Association, the Football Writers Association, and The Sporting News, as well as several others, and a cover story in Time magazine.{{cite magazine|url=http://content.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,830832,00.html|title=College Football: Ara the Beautiful|date=November 20, 1964|magazine=Time|access-date=November 16, 2017|archive-date=April 11, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160411095952/http://content.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,830832,00.html|url-status=live}}{{cite web|url=http://www.und.com/sports/m-footbl/spec-rel/112812aaa.html|title=Ara Parseghian to Receive Contributions to College Football Award|website=Und.com|access-date=November 16, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170928055852/http://www.und.com/sports/m-footbl/spec-rel/112812aaa.html|archive-date=September 28, 2017|url-status=dead}}

The 1966 team did finish unbeaten, finishing #1 in the AP Poll and winning the national championship in the process. The Irish had six shutout wins, each by 30 or more points. This includes a season-ending 51-0 win at #10 USC, the largest margin of victory by either side in the rivalry's history. This season is most remembered for a 10–10 tie at #2 Michigan State in the "Game of the Century" in which the injury-plagued Irish played for a tie rather than risking a loss.{{Cite web |date=2016-09-16 |title=Remember that time Notre Dame beat Michigan State, 10-10? |url=https://www.espn.com/college-football/story/_/id/17550816/notre-dame-fighting-irish-michigan-state-spartans-play-fifty-years-game-century |access-date=2024-08-20 |website=ESPN.com |language=en}}

It was under Parseghian as well that Notre Dame lifted its 40-plus year-old "no bowl games" policy,{{cite web|url=http://www.und.com/sports/m-footbl/spec-rel/112014aac.html|title=Changing Course|website=Und.com|access-date=November 16, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170928005520/http://www.und.com/sports/m-footbl/spec-rel/112014aac.html|archive-date=September 28, 2017|url-status=dead}} beginning with the season of 1969, after which the Irish played the #1 Texas Longhorns in the Cotton Bowl Classic, losing in the final minutes in a closely contested game.{{cite web|url=https://athlonsports.com/college-football/5-greatest-notre-dame-vs-texas-college-football-games-all-time|title=5 Greatest Notre Dame vs. Texas College Football Games of All-Time|website=Athlonsports.com|date=September 2016 |access-date=November 16, 2017|archive-date=September 28, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170928005806/https://athlonsports.com/college-football/5-greatest-notre-dame-vs-texas-college-football-games-all-time|url-status=live}} The following year, Parseghian's 9–1 squad{{cite web|url=https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/schools/notre-dame/1970-schedule.html|title=1970 Notre Dame Fighting Irish Schedule and Results|website=College Football at Sports-Reference.com|access-date=November 16, 2017|archive-date=September 28, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170928060248/https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/schools/notre-dame/1970-schedule.html|url-status=live}} ended Texas' Southwest Conference record 30-game winning streak in the Cotton Bowl. In 1971, Cliff Brown became the first African-American quarterback to start a game for the program.{{cite web |date=18 December 2012 |title=Remembering Cliff Brown |url=https://www.espn.com/blog/notre-dame-football/post/_/id/12557/remembering-cliff-brown |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170928055824/http://www.espn.com/blog/notre-dame-football/post/_/id/12557/remembering-cliff-brown |archive-date=September 28, 2017 |access-date=November 16, 2017 |website=Espn.com}} The Irish returned to glory by winning Parseghian's second national championship in 1973, sweeping through their regular-season schedule 10–0 and defeating #1 Alabama 24-23 in the Sugar Bowl by taking advantage of a fourth-quarter missed extra point by the Crimson Tide. Due to health issues, Parseghian was forced to retire from coaching after another bowl win over Alabama to conclude the 1974 season.{{cite web|url=http://archives.chicagotribune.com/1974/12/16/page/71/article/parseghian-quits-irish-grid-post|title=Chicago Tribune - Historical Newspapers|website=Archives.chicagotribune.com|access-date=November 16, 2017}}

During Parseghian's eleven-year career, the Irish amassed a record of 95–17–4 and captured two national championships. The Irish finished in the AP Top 10 nine times and never ranked lower than #14 at the end of a season. Parseghian was also named coach of the year by several selectors in his national championship years of 1966 and 1973 and was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in 1980.{{College Football HoF|id=2284|name=Ara Parseghian|access-date=November 16, 2017}}{{cite web |date=28 November 2012 |title=Ara Parseghian to receive award |url=https://www.espn.com/blog/notre-dame-football/post/_/id/12014/ara-parseghian-to-receive-award |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170928010112/http://www.espn.com/blog/notre-dame-football/post/_/id/12014/ara-parseghian-to-receive-award |archive-date=September 28, 2017 |access-date=November 16, 2017 |website=Espn.com}}

File:Dan Devine 1965.jpg

Dan Devine was hired to take over as head coach upon Parseghian's retirement from Notre Dame in 1975.{{cite web|url=http://www.und.com/sports/m-footbl/spec-rel/050902aaa.html|title=Dan Devine Dies At Age 77|website=Und.com|access-date=November 16, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171130012414/http://www.und.com/sports/m-footbl/spec-rel/050902aaa.html|archive-date=November 30, 2017|url-status=dead}} Devine was already a highly successful coach and had led Arizona State, Missouri, and the NFL's Green Bay Packers. Devine had been a leading candidate for the head coaching job at Notre Dame in 1964, when Ara Parseghian was hired.{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=QQCKCgAAQBAJ&q=dan+devine+candidate+notre+dame+parseghian+hired&pg=PT61|title=Ara's Knights: Ara Parseghian and the Golden Era of Notre Dame Football|first1=Frank|last1=Pomarico|first2=Raymond|last2=Serafin|date=September 15, 2015|publisher=Triumph Books|isbn=9781633193277|via=Google Books}} When approached for the job following Parseghian's resignation, Devine accepted immediately, joking that it was probably the shortest job interview in history.{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=dN3zpS2I7XUC&q=dan+devine+shortest+interview+in+history&pg=PA213|title=Linebacker in the Boardroom: Lessons in Life and Leadership|first=Marvin A.|last=Russell|date=September 27, 2017|publisher=Marvin A. Russell|isbn=9781432776558|via=Google Books}} When he arrived at Notre Dame he already had a college coaching record of 120 wins, 40 losses, and eight ties and had led his teams to victory in four bowl games.{{cite web|url=https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/coaches/dan-devine-1.html|title=Dan Devine Coaching Record|website=College Football at Sports-Reference.com|access-date=November 16, 2017|archive-date=September 28, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170928103048/https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/coaches/dan-devine-1.html|url-status=live}} At Notre Dame he would lead the Irish to 53 wins, 16 losses, and a tie as well as three bowl victories.

His lasting achievement came midway through this run, when the 1977 Notre Dame team won the national championship, led by junior quarterback Joe Montana.{{cite web|url=https://www.espn.com/classic/obit/s/2002/0509/1380498.html|title=ESPN Classic - Devine led Notre Dame to national title|website=Espn.com|access-date=November 16, 2017|archive-date=August 20, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180820005912/http://www.espn.com/classic/obit/s/2002/0509/1380498.html|url-status=live}} Before the game against USC, played at home on October 22, Devine changed the team's jerseys from navy blue & white to kelly green & gold, later known as the "green jersey game", resulting in a 49–19 victory over the Trojans.{{cite web |title=The Lore Of The Green Jersey |url=http://www.und.com/sports/m-footbl/spec-rel/092315aam.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171120000721/http://www.und.com/sports/m-footbl/spec-rel/092315aam.html |archive-date=November 20, 2017 |access-date=November 16, 2017 |website=Und.com}} The Irish continued to wear green for the rest of Devine's tenure at the school. The championship season climaxed with a 38–10 win in the 1978 Cotton Bowl Classic over previously top-ranked Texas, led by Heisman Trophy winner Earl Campbell.{{cite web|url=http://grfx.cstv.com/photos/schools/nd/sports/m-footbl/auto_pdf/1977--22/box_score/stats_20121210aaa.pdf|title=1978 Cotton Bowl: Notre Dame 38 - Texas 10|website=Grfx.cstv.com|access-date=November 16, 2017|archive-date=September 6, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150906075159/http://grfx.cstv.com/photos/schools/nd/sports/m-footbl/auto_pdf/1977--22/box_score/stats_20121210aaa.pdf|url-status=dead}} The win vaulted the Irish from fifth to first in the polls.

The following season, the Irish lost their first two games including a shocking 3–0 loss to Missouri in South Bend, but would recover to finish the regular season 8–3 and earn a berth in the Cotton Bowl against Houston. The Irish used three Montana touchdowns (two passing, one rushing) to recover from a 22-point deficit in the fourth quarter and win 35–34, the largest fourth-quarter comeback in college football history at the time. The game became known as the "Chicken Soup Game" after Montana ate a bowl of chicken soup at halftime while battling the flu.{{Cite news |last=Anderson |first=Dave |date=1994-01-18 |title=Sports of The Times; Joe Cool Has Coped With Cold |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1994/01/18/sports/sports-of-the-times-joe-cool-has-coped-with-cold.html |access-date=2024-08-20 |work=The New York Times |language=en-US |issn=0362-4331}} The 1979 and 1980 Irish did not live up to the standards set by earlier Devine teams, although the former season did see Vagas Ferguson set the single-season program rushing record (1,437 yards) that still stands today.

Because he had the unenviable task of following a legend, Devine came under heavy scrutiny while at Notre Dame and it was felt that he was never fully embraced by the Notre Dame community, despite winning a national championship.{{cite web|url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2002-may-10-me-devine10-story.html|title=Dan Devine, 77; Hall of Fame Football Coach|first=Mike|last=Kupper|date=May 10, 2002|via=LA Times|access-date=June 3, 2017|archive-date=December 11, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151211170731/http://articles.latimes.com/2002/may/10/local/me-devine10|url-status=live}} After a 5–2 start in his first season, rumors of incompetence were circulated and that Devine would be dismissed and replaced by Don Shula or even Ara Parseghian (who went so far as to say he would not return to Notre Dame under any circumstances).{{cite web|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/sports/1980/11/12/dan-devine-38/aaa07da9-0865-41ca-85e1-4cfa5f0a906e/|title=Dan Devine &|first=John|last=Feinstein|date=November 12, 1980|website=Washingtonpost.com|access-date=November 16, 2017|archive-date=September 28, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170928005710/https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/sports/1980/11/12/dan-devine-38/aaa07da9-0865-41ca-85e1-4cfa5f0a906e/|url-status=live}} Even on the day of the 1977 USC game, "Dump Devine" bumper stickers were being sold outside Notre Dame Stadium. On August 15, 1980, Devine announced that he would be leaving Notre Dame at the end of season, saying he wanted to be able to spend more time with his wife.

Gerry Faust was a surprise choice when hired to replace Devine in 1981.{{cite web|url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2008-nov-24-sp-crowe24-story.html|title=For him, the Notre Dame job was a Faustian bargain|first=Jerry|last=Crowe|date=November 24, 2008|via=LA Times|access-date=June 2, 2017|archive-date=October 23, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121023145106/http://articles.latimes.com/2008/nov/24/sports/sp-crowe24|url-status=live}} Prior to Notre Dame, Faust had been one of the more successful high school football coaches in the country. As coach of Moeller High School in Cincinnati he amassed a 174–17–2 record over 19 seasons.{{cite web |last=Jacon-Duffy |first=Marais |date=December 1, 2016 |title=From the Vault: 'The Bold Experiment' with Gerry Faust, Notre Dame and Moeller High School |url=http://www.wcpo.com/news/our-community/from-the-vault/from-the-vault-gerry-faust-puts-moeller-football-on-the-map-leaves-for-notre-dame-after-state-game |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170928005752/http://www.wcpo.com/news/our-community/from-the-vault/from-the-vault-gerry-faust-puts-moeller-football-on-the-map-leaves-for-notre-dame-after-state-game |archive-date=September 28, 2017 |access-date=November 16, 2017 |website=Wcpo.com}} Many of his players had gone on to play for Notre Dame; indeed, when he arrived in South Bend, he was reunited with nine of his former players from Moeller. Despite his success in the high school ranks, Faust's success at Notre Dame was mixed. In his first season, the Irish finished 5–6.{{cite web|url=https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/schools/notre-dame/1981-schedule.html|title=1981 Notre Dame Fighting Irish Schedule and Results|website=College Football at Sports-Reference.com|access-date=November 16, 2017|archive-date=September 28, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170928060338/https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/schools/notre-dame/1981-schedule.html|url-status=live}} In Faust's second season, Notre Dame improved slightly to 6–4–1.{{cite web|url=https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/schools/notre-dame/1982-schedule.html|title=1982 Notre Dame Fighting Irish Schedule and Results|website=College Football at Sports-Reference.com|access-date=November 16, 2017|archive-date=September 28, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170928060106/https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/schools/notre-dame/1982-schedule.html|url-status=live}} The most successful years under Faust were the 1983 and 1984 campaigns where the Irish finished 7–5 and made trips to the Liberty Bowl and Aloha Bowl respectively.{{cite web|url=https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/schools/notre-dame/1983-schedule.html|title=1983 Notre Dame Fighting Irish Schedule and Results|website=College Football at Sports-Reference.com|access-date=November 16, 2017|archive-date=September 28, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170928060210/https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/schools/notre-dame/1983-schedule.html|url-status=live}}{{cite web|url=https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/schools/notre-dame/1984-schedule.html|title=1984 Notre Dame Fighting Irish Schedule and Results|website=College Football at Sports-Reference.com|access-date=November 16, 2017|archive-date=September 28, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170928103036/https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/schools/notre-dame/1984-schedule.html|url-status=live}} His final record at Notre Dame was 30–26–1.{{cite web |url=https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/coaches/gerry-faust-1.html |title=Gerry Faust Coaching Record |website=Sports-reference.com |date=January 1, 1970 |access-date=May 28, 2017 |archive-date=June 11, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170611195244/http://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/coaches/gerry-faust-1.html |url-status=live }} To avoid being fired, Faust resigned at the end of the 1985 season.{{cite web|url=https://www.si.com/vault/1986/04/21/633826/faust-from-the-gipper-to-the-zippers|title=Faust: From the Gipper to the Zippers|first=Hank|last=Hersch|website=Si.com|access-date=November 16, 2017|archive-date=September 28, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170928005759/https://www.si.com/vault/1986/04/21/633826/faust-from-the-gipper-to-the-zippers|url-status=live}}{{cite web|url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/1989/11/12/even-at-akron-faust-is-faust/|title=Even At Akron, Faust Is Faust|website=Articles.chicagotribune.com|date=November 12, 1989 |access-date=November 16, 2017|archive-date=September 28, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170928055922/http://articles.chicagotribune.com/1989-11-12/sports/8901300846_1_zips-gerry-faust-football-coach|url-status=live}} He announced his resignation prior to the final game of the year, where Notre Dame suffered a humiliating 58–7 loss at Miami; Allen Pinkett scored the Irish TD. Faust proceeded to take over as head coach at Akron.{{cite news |last=Alfano |first=Peter |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1986/04/04/sports/gerry-faust-starts-over-with-akron.html?pagewanted=all |title=Gerry Faust Starts Over With Akron |website=The New York Times |date=April 4, 1986 |access-date=May 28, 2017 |archive-date=September 28, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170928060522/http://www.nytimes.com/1986/04/04/sports/gerry-faust-starts-over-with-akron.html?pagewanted=all |url-status=live }}

File:Lou Holtz cropped.jpg

Lou Holtz had 17 years of head coaching experience by the time he was hired to lead the Irish.{{cite web |url=http://www.und.com/sports/m-footbl/mtt/holtz_lou00.html |title=Lou Holtz Bio :: Notre Dame Football |website=Und.Com |access-date=May 28, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170618082606/http://www.und.com/sports/m-footbl/mtt/holtz_lou00.html |archive-date=June 18, 2017 |url-status=dead }} He had previously been head coach of William & Mary, North Carolina State, the NFL's New York Jets, Arkansas, and Minnesota. In contrast to Faust, Holtz was well known as a master motivator and a strict disciplinarian.{{cite web |title=Follansbee honors legendary coach Lou Holtz {{pipe}} News, Sports, Jobs – The Times Leader |url=http://www.timesleaderonline.com/news/local-news/2017/05/follansbee-honors-legendary-coach-lou-holtz/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170501201247/http://www.timesleaderonline.com/news/local-news/2017/05/follansbee-honors-legendary-coach-lou-holtz/ |archive-date=May 1, 2017 |access-date=May 28, 2017 |website=Timesleaderonline.com}}{{cite web |author=Pam Prevatte |title=Woodruff native says ex-Notre Dame coach could turn it all around – News – GoUpstate – Spartanburg, SC |url=http://www.goupstate.com/article/NC/19981125/News/605188904/SJ/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170903074127/http://www.goupstate.com/article/NC/19981125/News/605188904/SJ/ |archive-date=September 3, 2017 |access-date=May 28, 2017 |website=GoUpstate.com}} The tone was set with Holtz's first meeting with his team as Irish head coach in 1986, immediately demanding his players sit up straight in their chairs and look him in the eye as he spoke.{{cite book |author1=John Heisler |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=aqu3cWMqmpIC&q=lou+holtz+sit+up+in+chairs&pg=PT314 |title=Always Fighting Irish: Players, Coaches, and Fans Share Their Passion for ... |author2=Tim Prister |date=10 August 2012 |publisher=Triumph Books |isbn=9781623680503 |page=314 |access-date=May 28, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231107161531/https://books.google.com/books?id=aqu3cWMqmpIC&q=lou+holtz+sit+up+in+chairs&pg=PT314#v=snippet&q=lou%20holtz%20sit%20up%20in%20chairs&f=false |archive-date=November 7, 2023 |url-status=live}} Holtz began in 1986 where his predecessor left off in 1985, finishing with an identical record of 5–6.{{cite web |url=https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/schools/notre-dame/1986-schedule.html |title=1986 Notre Dame Fighting Irish Schedule and Results {{pipe}} College Football at |website=Sports-reference.com |date=January 1, 1970 |access-date=May 28, 2017 |archive-date=June 12, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170612165110/http://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/schools/notre-dame/1986-schedule.html |url-status=live }} However, unlike the 1985 squad, which was generally outcoached and outplayed, Holtz's 1986 edition was competitive in nearly every game, losing five out of those six games by a combined total of 14 points. That would be his only losing season as he posted a record of 95–24–2 over the next ten seasons adding up to a 100–30–2 record overall.{{cite news|url=http://www.und.com/sports/m-footbl/spec-rel/12-m-footbl-media-guide.html|title=2012 Notre Dame Football Media Guide|publisher=University of Notre Dame|format=PDF|access-date=August 26, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120927033336/http://www.und.com/sports/m-footbl/spec-rel/12-m-footbl-media-guide.html|archive-date=September 27, 2012|url-status=dead}}{{cite web |url=https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/coaches/lou-holtz-1.html |title=Lou Holtz Coaching Record {{pipe}} College Football at |website=Sports-reference.com |date=January 1, 1970 |access-date=May 28, 2017 |archive-date=March 10, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180310045904/https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/coaches/lou-holtz-1.html |url-status=live }}

In 1987, Holtz led the Irish to an 8–4 record.{{cite web |date=January 1, 1970 |title=1987 Notre Dame Fighting Irish Schedule and Results {{pipe}} College Football at |url=https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/schools/notre-dame/1987-schedule.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170612165234/http://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/schools/notre-dame/1987-schedule.html |archive-date=June 12, 2017 |access-date=May 28, 2017 |website=Sports-reference.com}} Notre Dame's best player was star wide receiver Tim Brown, who would win the Heisman Trophy that season and is Notre Dame's seventh and most recent Heisman winner.{{cite web |url=http://www.und.com/sports/m-footbl/mtt/tim_brown_112293.html |title=Tim Brown Bio :: Notre Dame Football |website=Und.Com |access-date=May 28, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170903013238/http://www.und.com/sports/m-footbl/mtt/tim_brown_112293.html |archive-date=September 3, 2017 |url-status=dead }}{{cite web |url=http://heisman.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=54 |title=Heisman Trophy |website=Heisman.com |access-date=May 28, 2017 |archive-date=February 7, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170207064920/http://heisman.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=54 |url-status=live }}

The 1988 campaign began with high hopes, as former Notre Dame coaches Rockne, Leahy, Parseghian, and Devine all won their first national championship in their third season with the program. The Irish defeated their first five opponents, ascending to the #4 ranking in the lead-up to a visit from the reigning national champion Miami Hurricanes. In a game which became known as Catholics vs. Convicts due to a popular T-shirt design on Notre Dame's campus, the Irish upset the Hurricanes 31–30 when Pat Terrell knocked down Steve Walsh's two-point conversion attempt with no time on the clock. When star players Ricky Watters and Tony Brooks showed up late for dinner right before the then top-ranked Irish played second-ranked USC in the final regular season game of 1988,{{cite web |url=http://www.espn.com/abcsports/bcs/s/flashback/notredameusc1988.html |title=Bowl Championship Series – Flashback: Notre Dame-USC 1988 |website=Espn.com |date=December 13, 2002 |access-date=May 28, 2017 |archive-date=September 3, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170903074458/http://www.espn.com/abcsports/bcs/s/flashback/notredameusc1988.html |url-status=dead }} in a controversial move, Holtz took his 10–0 Irish squad to Los Angeles without them.{{cite web|url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/1988/12/31/tardy-irish-learn-dont-tick-off-holtz/|title=Tardy Irish Learn: Don't Tick Off Holtz|website=Chicago Tribune |date=December 31, 1988 |access-date=June 18, 2017|archive-date=September 3, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170903142439/http://articles.chicagotribune.com/1988-12-31/sports/8802280785_1_coach-holtz-ricky-watters-lou-holtz|url-status=live}} His move was vindicated when the Irish defeated USC anyway.{{cite news |last=Anderson |first=Dave |date=November 27, 1988 |title=Sports of the Times – Lou Holtz of Notre Dame Raps the Gavel Again |url=https://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=940DE2DB1E3BF934A15752C1A96E948260&sec=&spon=&pagewanted=all |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231107161514/https://www.nytimes.com/1988/11/27/sports/sports-of-the-times-lou-holtz-of-notre-dame-raps-the-gavel-again.html?sec=&spon=&pagewanted=all |archive-date=November 7, 2023 |access-date=April 25, 2008 |website=The New York Times}} Holtz was named national coach of the year, and a win over No. 3 West Virginia in the Fiesta Bowl captured the Irish's 11th-all time national championship.{{cite web |url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1989-01-03-sp-172-story.html |title=Fiesta Bowl: Notre Dame 34, West Virginia 21 : Dream is Shattered : Lackluster Play, Harris' Injury Keep Mountaineers From Realizing Their Goal |website=Articles.latimes.com |date=October 18, 2003 |access-date=May 28, 2017 |archive-date=May 28, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160528220844/http://articles.latimes.com/1989-01-03/sports/sp-172_1_notre-dame |url-status=live }} 1988 remains Notre Dame's most recent undefeated season and national championship.{{cite web |url=https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/schools/notre-dame/1988-schedule.html |title=1988 Notre Dame Fighting Irish Schedule and Results {{pipe}} College Football at |website=Sports-reference.com |date=January 1, 1970 |access-date=May 28, 2017 |archive-date=May 31, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170531021605/http://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/schools/notre-dame/1988-schedule.html |url-status=live }}{{cite web|url=http://bleacherreport.com/articles/1441797-notre-dame-football-comparing-1988-championship-team-to-brian-kellys-2012-unit|title=Notre Dame Football: Comparing 1988 Championship Team to Brian Kelly's 2012 Unit|first=Randy|last=Chambers|website=Bleacher Report|date=December 12, 2012|access-date=November 16, 2017|archive-date=September 3, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170903074134/http://bleacherreport.com/articles/1441797-notre-dame-football-comparing-1988-championship-team-to-brian-kellys-2012-unit|url-status=live}}File:President Ronald Reagan hosting the NCAA football champion University of Notre Dame football team.jpg in the White House in January 1989.]]

In 1989, Holtz led the Irish to a 12–1 record. The Irish began the season in the Kickoff Classic game in East Rutherford, New Jersey, against Virginia.{{cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1989/01/18/sports/irish-vs-virginia-in-kickoff-classic.html |title=Irish vs. Virginia In Kickoff Classic |website=The New York Times |date=January 18, 1989 |access-date=May 28, 2017 |archive-date=September 26, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170926100226/http://www.nytimes.com/1989/01/18/sports/irish-vs-virginia-in-kickoff-classic.html |url-status=live }} The Irish won by a score of 36–13 and ascended to the #1 spot in the AP Poll.{{cite news |last=Moran |first=Malcolm |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1989/09/14/sports/holtz-with-no-1-team-worries-about-no-2.html |title=Holtz, With No. 1 Team, Worries About No. 2 |website=The New York Times |date=September 14, 1989 |access-date=May 28, 2017 |archive-date=September 26, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170926100713/http://www.nytimes.com/1989/09/14/sports/holtz-with-no-1-team-worries-about-no-2.html |url-status=live }} Next, top-ranked Notre Dame defeated #2 Michigan by a score of 24–19.{{cite news |author=Malcolm Moran |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1989/09/17/sports/college-football-ismail-leads-notre-dame-past-michigan.html |title=College Football – Ismail Leads Notre Dame Past Michigan |website=The New York Times |date=September 17, 1989 |access-date=May 28, 2017 |archive-date=September 26, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170926100501/http://www.nytimes.com/1989/09/17/sports/college-football-ismail-leads-notre-dame-past-michigan.html |url-status=live }} After nine more consecutive victories to begin the season 11–0, the Irish would lose to #7 Miami in the final week of the season, ending Notre Dame's 23-game winning streak.{{cite web |url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1989-11-26-sp-392-story.html |title=Miami Exacts Its Revenge, 27–10 : Hurricanes: Seventh-ranked squad ends Notre Dame's winning streak and reign as top-ranked team. |website=Articles.latimes.com |date=November 26, 1989 |access-date=May 28, 2017 |archive-date=September 21, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150921154044/http://articles.latimes.com/1989-11-26/sports/sp-392_1_notre-dame |url-status=live }} Holtz would lead the Irish to a victory in the Orange Bowl over #1 Colorado to end the season, finishing #2 in the AP poll behind Miami.{{cite web |date=January 1, 1970 |title=1989 Notre Dame Fighting Irish Schedule and Results {{pipe}} College Football at |url=https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/schools/notre-dame/1989-schedule.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170520174450/http://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/schools/notre-dame/1989-schedule.html |archive-date=May 20, 2017 |access-date=May 28, 2017 |website=Sports-reference.com}}

After beginning the 1990 season with a #1 ranking and a victory over #4 Michigan by a score of 28–24 and two more wins for a 3–0 start, the Irish took their first loss of the season, losing to Stanford by a score of 36–31. The Irish would ascend back to #1 on the strength of a home win over #2 Miami, a game that saw the end of the series between the two until 2010.{{Cite magazine |last=Jenkins |first=Sally |date=October 29, 1990 |title=NOT SO BITTER END |url=https://vault.si.com/vault/1990/10/29/not-so-bitter-end-notre-dame-beat-miami-29-20-in-a-sweet-finish-to-an-often-rancorous-series |magazine=Sports Illustrated}} However, late-season losses to Penn State and Colorado in the Orange Bowl would eliminate the Irish from national championship contention.{{cite web |date=January 1, 1970 |title=1990 Notre Dame Fighting Irish Schedule and Results {{pipe}} College Football at |url=https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/schools/notre-dame/1990-schedule.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170520181502/http://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/schools/notre-dame/1990-schedule.html |archive-date=May 20, 2017 |access-date=May 28, 2017 |website=Sports-reference.com}} 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.{{cite web|url=https://www.allstatesugarbowl.org/site100.php|title=1992 Game Recap / Allstate Sugar Bowl|website=Allstatesugarbowl.org|access-date=November 16, 2017|archive-date=September 26, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170926041100/https://www.allstatesugarbowl.org/site100.php|url-status=dead}}{{cite web |date=January 1, 1970 |title=1991 Notre Dame Fighting Irish Schedule and Results |url=https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/schools/notre-dame/1991-schedule.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170520183241/http://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/schools/notre-dame/1991-schedule.html |archive-date=May 20, 2017 |access-date=May 28, 2017 |website=Sports-reference.com}}

In 1992, Notre Dame finished 10–1–1. After defeating Northwestern to start the season,{{cite web |url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1992-09-06-sp-420-story.html |title=Notre Dame Rockets Past Northwestern : Notre Dame: Miller, expected to fill role of Ismail, scores on 70-yard pass play in 42–7 victory. |website=Articles.latimes.com |date=September 6, 1992 |access-date=May 28, 2017 |archive-date=October 24, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151024113715/http://articles.latimes.com/1992-09-06/sports/sp-420_1_notre-dame |url-status=live }} the Fighting Irish tied #5 Michigan, their first tie of the Holtz era.{{cite web |last=Moran |first=Malcolm |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1992/09/13/sports/college-football-notre-dame-and-michigan-sputter-at-the-end-to-a-17-17-tie.html |title=College Football – Notre Dame and Michigan Sputter at the End to a 17–17 Tie |website=The New York Times |date=September 13, 1992 |access-date=May 28, 2017 |archive-date=August 22, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170822120637/http://www.nytimes.com/1992/09/13/sports/college-football-notre-dame-and-michigan-sputter-at-the-end-to-a-17-17-tie.html |url-status=live }} This season saw the Irish's largest win in history against Purdue, a 48–0 win at Notre Dame Stadium, and a 28–3 Cotton Bowl against previously unbeaten #4 Texas A&M.{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=aqu3cWMqmpIC&q=notre+dame+vs+texas+a%26m+cotton+bowl+1993+28-3&pg=PT169 |title=Always Fighting Irish: Players, Coaches, and Fans Share Their Passion for ... |author1=John Heisler |author2=Tim Prister |page=169 |date=January 1, 1992 |publisher=Triumph Books |isbn=9781623680503 |access-date=May 28, 2017}}{{cite web |date=January 1, 1970 |title=1992 Notre Dame Fighting Irish Schedule and Results |url=https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/schools/notre-dame/1992-schedule.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170520185614/http://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/schools/notre-dame/1992-schedule.html |archive-date=May 20, 2017 |access-date=May 28, 2017 |website=Sports-reference.com}}

The Irish enjoyed another successful season in 1993, finishing the season at 11–1. After scoring 27 points in wins over Northwestern and #2 Michigan to start the season, the Irish defeated their next six opponents to enter a matchup with undefeated #1 Florida State 8–0 and ranked just behind the Seminoles at #2. For the first time, ESPN's College GameDay decided to make a visit to campus to host the show live on Saturday morning.{{cite news |last=Fendrich |first=Howard |date=September 2, 2000 |title=ESPN' "College GameDay" a huge hit |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=hmRWAAAAIBAJ&sjid=PvIDAAAAIBAJ&pg=6808%2C813561 |work=Spokesman-Review |location=(Spokane, Washington) |page=C2 |agency=Associated Press}} In a classic, the Irish defeated the Seminoles 31–24, ascending to the #1 ranking a day later. However, a loss to #17 Boston College on a game-winning field goal as time expired by a score of 41–39 ended the Irish's national championship aspirations.{{cite web|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1993/11/21/sports/college-football-boston-college-knocks-the-smile-off-the-irish.html|title=Boston College Knocks the Smile Off the Irish|date=November 21, 1993|website=The New York Times}} The Irish would face a rematch with #6 Texas A&M in the Cotton Bowl to finish the season, a game the Irish won by a score of 24–21.{{cite web|url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1994-01-02-sp-7819-story.html|title=Notre Dame Rallies for Victory, Then Awaits Its Fate in the Polls : Cotton Bowl: Holtz says Irish have rightful claim to the national title after they beat Texas A&M, 24–21, on a field goal by Pendergast with 2:17 to play.|first=Randy|last=Harvey|date=January 2, 1994|via=LA Times}}{{cite web |title=1993 Notre Dame Fighting Irish Schedule and Results |url=https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/schools/notre-dame/1993-schedule.html |access-date=November 16, 2017 |website=College Football at Sports-Reference.com}} Controversially, Notre Dame finished #2 in the AP poll behind a team in Florida State it had beaten.

In 1994, Holtz led Notre Dame to a 6–5–1 record, the Irish's worst record since Holtz's first season in 1986.{{cite web|url=https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/schools/notre-dame/1994-schedule.html|title=1994 Notre Dame Fighting Irish Schedule and Results|website=College Football at Sports-Reference.com|access-date=November 16, 2017}} The team lost three of four games midseason to drop out of the rankings for the first time since 1986. The Irish would improve to 9–3 in 1995, but lost to #8 Florida State in the Orange Bowl.{{cite web|url=http://www.espn.com/abcsports/bcs/orange/s/1996.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170928005908/http://www.espn.com/abcsports/bcs/orange/s/1996.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=September 28, 2017|title=Bowl Championship Series - 1996 - Florida St. 31, Notre Dame 26|website=Espn.com|access-date=November 16, 2017}}{{cite web |title=1995 Notre Dame Fighting Irish Schedule and Results |url=https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/schools/notre-dame/1995-schedule.html |access-date=November 16, 2017 |website=College Football at Sports-Reference.com}} Lou Holtz's final season at Notre Dame in 1996 resulted in an 8–3 record. The season notably saw Notre Dame's first participation in the Emerald Isle Classic in Ireland, a 54–27 win over Navy, and an overtime loss to USC, snapping the Irish's 13-game non-losing streak against the Trojans.{{cite web|url=http://www.espn.com/abcsports/s/notredameuscgreatestgames.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170906102014/http://www.espn.com/abcsports/s/notredameuscgreatestgames.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=September 6, 2017|title=ABC Sports - Greatest games of the Notre Dame-USC rivarly(sic)|website=Espn.com|access-date=November 16, 2017}}{{cite web |title=1996 Notre Dame Fighting Irish Schedule and Results |url=https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/schools/notre-dame/1996-schedule.html |access-date=November 16, 2017 |website=College Football at Sports-Reference.com}}

Holtz's option offense, which helped catapult Notre Dame to many victories in the late 1980s and early 1990s, also helped rack up impressive recruiting classes. During the 1989 season, Holtz had the following future NFL players on offense: QB Rick Mirer, RB Ricky Watters, RB Anthony Johnson, RB Rodney Culver RB Dorsey Levens, and WR Raghib Ismail. In 1990, he added RB Jeff Burris (who would later move to safety), FB Jerome Bettis and TE Irv Smith. 1991 saw the additions of RB Reggie Brooks and FB Ray Zellars. 1992 saw the addition of WR Derrick Mayes. For 1993, he added FB Marc Edwards. In 1995, he added RB Autry Denson. From the 1987–1995 NFL Drafts, there were a total of 65 Notre Dame players selected.{{cite web|url=http://www.und.com/sports/m-footbl/archive/nd-m-fb-a-nfl2.html|title=Notre Dame Football :: UND.COM :: The Official Site of Notre Dame Athletics|website=Und.com|access-date=November 16, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170926041655/http://www.und.com/sports/m-footbl/archive/nd-m-fb-a-nfl2.html|archive-date=September 26, 2017|url-status=dead}} Overall, Holtz took Notre Dame to one undefeated season, nine consecutive New Year's Day bowl games, and top 10 finishes in the AP poll in five seasons,{{cite web|url=http://www.und.com/auto_pdf/p_hotos/s_chools/nd/sports/m-footbl/auto_pdf/07fbguidehistory|title=Notre Dame Media Guide:History and Records|publisher=University of Notre Dame|format=PDF|access-date=December 17, 2007|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120515215139/http://www.und.com/auto_pdf/p_hotos/s_chools/nd/sports/m-footbl/auto_pdf/07fbguidehistory|archive-date=May 15, 2012|url-status=dead}} as well as overseeing the majority of the longest winning streak against USC in program history (11 games). Holtz retired from Notre Dame following the 1996 season,{{cite web|url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1996-11-29-sp-3969-story.html|title=A Case of the Bends : Lou Holtz Loved Notre Dame's Stage, but Roller Coaster Season May Have Been Too Much for Him|first=Jim|last=Hodges|date=November 29, 1996|via=LA Times}} but would unretire in 1999 to accept the head coaching position at South Carolina where he would serve until the completion of the 2004 season.{{cite web|url=https://www.saturdaydownsouth.com/coaches/lou-holtz/|title=Lou Holtz|date=August 14, 2014}}{{cite web|url=http://usatoday30.usatoday.com/sports/college/football/sec/2004-11-22-scarolina-holtz-retirement_x.htm|title=South Carolina's Holtz announces retirement|website=Usatoday30.usatoday.com|access-date=November 16, 2017}}

File:MountainWestMD-2016-0726-BobDavie.png

Bob Davie, who had been Holtz's defensive coordinator from 1994 to 1996, was promoted to head coach when Holtz retired.{{cite news| url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/1996/12/07/davies-hiring-good-judgment-call-by-irish/ | work=Chicago Tribune | first=Bob | last=Verdi | title=Davie's Hiring Good Judgment Call By Irish | date=December 7, 1996}} Davie, who turned down a head coaching offer from Purdue to accept the Irish's head coaching position,{{cite web|url=https://www.si.com/vault/1997/05/05/226566/this-old-house-as-he-rebuilds-at-notre-dame-bob-davie-plans-to-leave-the-dome-golden-the-rest-is-up-for-grabs#|title=This Old House As He Rebuilds at Notre Dame, Bob Davie Plans to Leave the Dome Golden. The Rest Is Up For Grabs|first=Tim |last=Layden|website=Si.com|access-date=November 16, 2017}} was a well-respected defensive mind who had also served as defensive coordinator at Tulane and Texas A&M.{{cite web|url=http://www.golobos.com/coaches.aspx?rc=77|title=The University of New Mexico Lobos – 2015 Football Coaching Staff|website=Golobos.com|access-date=November 16, 2017|archive-date=September 26, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170926095559/http://www.golobos.com/coaches.aspx?rc=77|url-status=dead}} Davie had also filled in as head coach for one game during the 1995 season when Lou Holtz was dealing with a health issue.{{cite news |date=September 17, 1995 |title=College Football: Notre Dame Doesn't Miss Holtz : Nonconference: With coach watching at home, the Irish rout Vanderbilt, 41-0, behind Kinder |url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1995-09-17-sp-46972-story.html |newspaper=LA Times |agency=Associated Press}} One of his first major decisions was to fire long-time offensive line coach Joe Moore, who then successfully sued the university for age discrimination.Lieberman, Richard. Personal Foul: Coach Joe Moore vs. The University of Notre Dame. Academy Chicago Publishers, 2001. On Davie's watch, the team suffered three bowl game losses (1997 Independence Bowl,{{cite web|url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1997-dec-29-sp-3271-story.html|title=Notre Dame Loses Rematch to LSU|agency=Associated Press|date=December 29, 1997|via=LA Times}} 1999 Gator Bowl,{{cite web|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1999/01/02/sports/college-football-bowl-roundup-gator-bowl-irish-come-up-short-against-georgia.html|title=Irish Come Up Short Against Georgia Tech|date=January 2, 1999|website=AP|via=The New York Times}} and 2001 Fiesta Bowl),{{cite web|url=http://www.espn.com/abcsports/bcs/s/recap/fiestabowl.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170926095810/http://www.espn.com/abcsports/bcs/s/recap/fiestabowl.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=September 26, 2017|title=Bowl Championship Series – Oregon State 41, Notre Dame 9|website=Espn.com|access-date=November 16, 2017}} and it failed to qualify for a bowl game in two others (1999 and 2001). The highlight of Davie's tenure was a 36–20 upset win in 1998 over #5 Michigan, the defending national champions.{{cite web|url=http://125.nd.edu/moments/irish-upset-national-champs-1998-vs-michigan/|title=Irish Upset National Champs (1998 vs. Michigan) // Moments // 125 Football // University of Notre Dame|first=ENR // MarComm:Web // University of Notre|last=Dame|website=125.nd.edu}}{{cite web|url=http://www.herloyalsons.com/blog/2017/03/31/5-best-notre-dame-teams-post-holtz-era/|title=5 Best Notre Dame Teams of the Post-Holtz Era - Her Loyal Sons|date=March 31, 2017|access-date=June 12, 2017|archive-date=August 20, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180820074553/http://www.herloyalsons.com/blog/2017/03/31/5-best-notre-dame-teams-post-holtz-era/|url-status=dead}}

On December 17, 1999, Notre Dame was placed on probation by the NCAA. The association's Committee on Infractions found two series of violations. The New York Times reported "the main one involved the actions of a booster, Kimberly Dunbar, who lavished gifts on football players with money she later pleaded guilty to embezzling." In the second series of events, a football player was accused of trying to sell several complimentary game tickets and of using others as repayment of a loan. The player was also said "to have been romantically involved with a woman (not Dunbar), a part-time tutor at the university, who wrote a term paper for another player for a small fee and provided players with meals, lodging and gifts."{{cite web |last=Litsky |first=Frank |date=December 18, 1999 |title=Football – N.C.A.A. Puts Notre Dame Football on Probation |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1999/12/18/sports/football-ncaa-puts-notre-dame-football-on-probation.html |access-date=November 16, 2017 |website=The New York Times}} The Dunbar violation began while Lou Holtz was head coach: "According to the NCAA committee report, Dunbar, the woman at the center of the more serious violations, had become romantically involved with several Notre Dame football players from June 1995 to January 1998 and had a child with one, Jarvis Edison." Notre Dame was placed on probation for two years and lost one of its 85 football scholarships each year in what the Times termed "minor" penalties.{{cite web |title=Irish Are Assessed Penalties |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/WPcap/1999-12/18/037r-121899-idx.html |access-date=November 16, 2017 |website=Washingtonpost.com}}

Davie nearly defeated top-ranked Nebraska in 2000, with the Irish comeback bid falling short in overtime 27–24.{{cite web |title=ESPN.com: NCF – HuskerNation takes over Notre Dame Stadium |url=http://a.espncdn.com/ncf/s/2000/0909/732611.html |access-date=November 16, 2017 |website=A.espncdn.com}} The aforementioned 2001 Fiesta Bowl was Notre Dame's first invitation to the Bowl Championship Series. The Irish lost by 32 points to Oregon State,{{cite web |title=Oregon State blasts Irish in Fiesta |url=https://usatoday30.usatoday.com/sports/football/sfc/00bowls/game24.htm |access-date=November 16, 2017 |website=Usatoday30.usatoday.com}} but would finish No. 15 in the AP Poll, Davie's highest ranking as head coach. Despite Davie's rocky tenure, new athletic director Kevin White gave the coach a contract extension following the 2000 season,{{cite web|url=http://www.und.com/sports/m-footbl/spec-rel/080599aaa.html|title=Fighting Irish Football Coach Signs Contract Extension|access-date=2018-08-19|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180820005909/http://www.und.com/sports/m-footbl/spec-rel/080599aaa.html|archive-date=2018-08-20|url-status=dead}} then saw the team start 0–3 in 2001 – the first such start in school history.{{cite web|url=http://todayinndhistory.com/pages/events/?id=344|title=Today in ND History: The first 0–3 start|website=Todayinndhistory.com|access-date=November 16, 2017}} Disappointed by the on-field results, coupled with the Joe Moore and Kim Dunbar scandals, the administration decided to dismiss Davie after the 2001 season.{{cite web|url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2001-dec-03-sp-10906-story.html|title=Davie Fired By Irish|first=Chris|last=Dufresne|date=December 3, 2001|via=LA Times}} His final record at Notre Dame was 35–25.{{cite web|url=https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/coaches/bob-davie-1.html|title=Bob Davie Coaching Record|website=College Football at Sports-Reference.com|access-date=November 16, 2017}}

On December 9, 2001, Notre Dame hired George O'Leary, the head coach at Georgia Tech, to replace Davie.{{cite web|url=http://www.upi.com/Sports_News/2001/12/09/Notre-Dame-hires-George-OLeary/UPI-21411007934537/|title=Notre Dame hires George O'Leary|work=UPI|access-date=September 6, 2015}} However, while researching a story on O'Leary, New Hampshire Union Leader reporter Jim Fennell uncovered misrepresentations in O'Leary's resume that had influenced the administration's decision to hire him.{{cite news |author=Haugh, David|url=http://old.irishsports.com/stories/subscription/2002/12/19/isr_football.20021222-isr-TRIB-SS28-By_George_reporter_.fff.sto|title=By George, reporter carries on |publisher=Irish Sports Report|date=December 19, 2002|access-date=September 7, 2007 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20070928092556/http://old.irishsports.com/stories/subscription/2002/12/19/isr_football.20021222-isr-TRIB-SS28-By_George_reporter_.fff.sto |archive-date = September 28, 2007}} The resulting media scandal embarrassed Notre Dame officials and tainted O'Leary; he resigned five days later, before coaching a single practice, recruiting a single player, or hiring a single assistant coach.{{cite news| url=https://www.nytimes.com/2001/12/15/sports/notre-dame-coach-resigns-after-5-days-and-a-few-lies.html | work=The New York Times | first=John W. | last=Fountain | title=Notre Dame Coach Resigns After 5 Days and a Few Lies | date=December 15, 2001}} O'Leary's tenure is the shortest of any head coach in FBS history.{{cite news| url=http://www.nydailynews.com/sports/shortest-coaching-tenures-gallery-1.58158?pmSlide=1.68123 | location=New York | work=Daily News | title=Over and out! Shortest coaching tenures – slide 8}} O'Leary would go on to become the head football coach at the University of Central Florida.{{cite web |agency=Associated Press |url=http://onlineathens.com/stories/120903/dog_20031209032.shtml |title=UCF hires O'Leary as new coach |publisher=Online Athens |date=December 9, 2003 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131225164239/http://onlineathens.com/stories/120903/dog_20031209032.shtml |archive-date=December 25, 2013 |url-status=dead |df=mdy-all }}

Once again in need of a new head coach, the school turned to Tyrone Willingham, the head coach at Stanford.{{cite news |url=http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/football/college/news/2001/12/31/notre_dame_willingham_ap/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20020103071050/http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/football/college/news/2001/12/31/notre_dame_willingham_ap/ |url-status=dead |archive-date=January 3, 2002 |work=CNN |title=Notre Dame gives Stanford coach six-year deal |df=mdy-all }} Willingham's hiring made him the first African American head coach in Notre Dame football history.{{Cite web |title=ESPN Classic - Willingham brings untiring determination to ND |url=https://www.espn.com/classic/biography/s/Willingham_Tyrone.html |access-date=2023-08-22 |website=ESPN}} Bringing a feeling of change and excitement to campus, Willingham led the 2002 squad to a 10–2 regular season record, including an 8–0 start with wins over #7 Michigan and #11 Florida State, and a #4 ranking. This great early start, however, would be the lone highlight of Willingham's tenure, as Notre Dame finished the year with a loss to Boston College, then lopsided losses to USC and North Carolina State in the Gator Bowl.{{cite web |title=2002 Notre Dame Fighting Irish Schedule and Results |url=https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/schools/notre-dame/2002-schedule.html |access-date=November 16, 2017 |website=College Football at Sports-Reference.com}} The program faltered over the next two seasons under Willingham, compiling an 11–12 record.{{cite web|url=https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/coaches/tyrone-willingham-1.html|title=Tyrone Willingham Coaching Record|website=College Football at Sports-Reference.com|access-date=November 16, 2017}} During this time, Notre Dame lost a game by at least 30 points on five occasions. Furthermore, Willingham's 2004 recruiting class was judged by analysts to be the worst at Notre Dame in more than two decades.{{cite news|url=http://www.wthr.com/article/notre-dame-facing-bevy-of-problems|title=Notre Dame facing bevy of problems|publisher=WTHR|date=September 25, 2007|access-date=November 28, 2007|archive-date=December 20, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161220031033/http://www.wthr.com/article/notre-dame-facing-bevy-of-problems|url-status=dead}} Citing Notre Dame's third consecutive four-touchdown loss to arch-rival USC{{cite web|url=http://www.espn.com/college-football/recap?gameId=243320030|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170926042049/http://www.espn.com/college-football/recap?gameId=243320030|url-status=dead|archive-date=September 26, 2017|title=Notre Dame vs. USC – Game Recap – November 27, 2004 – ESPN|website=ESPN.com|access-date=November 16, 2017}} compounded by another year of subpar recruiting efforts, the Willingham era ended on November 30, 2004 (after the conclusion of the 2004 season) when the university chose to terminate him and pay out the remainder of Willingham's six-year contract.{{cite web|url=https://www.espn.com/college-football/news/story?id=1935138|title=Willingham fired by Notre Dame after three years|date=November 30, 2004|website=ESPN.com|access-date=November 16, 2017}}

File:Charlie-Weis-2008CoachesTour-5-29-08.jpg

After Willingham's firing, Notre Dame initially pursued Utah head coach Urban Meyer, who had been an Irish assistant from 1996 to 2000 and had a clause in his Utah contract that stated he could take the Notre Dame head coaching job without paying a buyout.{{Cite web |date=2004-12-02 |title=Notre Dame officials meet with Meyer in Utah |url=https://www.espn.com/college-football/news/story?id=1936781 |access-date=2023-08-22 |website=ESPN.com |language=en}}{{cite web|url=https://www.orlandosentinel.com/2004/12/04/heres-the-truth-behind-the-meyer-hiring/|title=Here's The Truth Behind The Meyer Hiring|date=December 4, 2004 }} After Meyer accepted the Florida head coaching position and turned down the Irish,{{cite web|url=https://usatoday30.usatoday.com/sports/college/football/sec/2004-12-03-florida-meyer_x.htm|title=Urban Meyer jilts Notre Dame, heads to Florida|website=Usatoday30.usatoday.com|access-date=November 16, 2017}} Charlie Weis left the NFL's New England Patriots, where he won three Super Bowls as offensive coordinator,{{cite web|url=https://www.espn.com/college-football/story/_/id/17379571/former-notre-dame-kansas-football-coach-charlie-weis-wants-new-gig|title=How to define Charlie Weis|website=Espn.com|date=24 August 2016 |access-date=November 16, 2017}} to become head football coach for the Irish beginning with the 2005 season.{{cite web|url=https://www.espn.com/college-football/news/story?id=1943710|title=Weis to be introduced as Irish coach Monday|work=ESPN.com|date=13 December 2004 |access-date=September 6, 2015}} A first-time head coach when he was hired by Notre Dame,{{Cite web |title=Weis close to agreement with Notre Dame {{!}} The Spokesman-Review |url=https://www.spokesman.com/stories/2004/dec/12/weis-close-to-agreement-with-notre-dame/ |access-date=2023-08-22 |website=www.spokesman.com|date=December 12, 2004 }} Weis was officially introduced on December 12, 2004.{{Cite news |last=Schlabach |first=Mark |date=2004-12-12 |title=Patriots' Weis To Coach Notre Dame |language=en-US |newspaper=Washington Post |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/sports/2004/12/12/patriots-weis-to-coach-notre-dame/cfc5c8ce-4a27-493d-b590-dcda9e508c45/ |access-date=2023-08-22 |issn=0190-8286}} Weis' hiring as the Irish's 30th head football coach made him the first Notre Dame graduate to hold the football head coaching position on a full-fledged basis since Joe Kuharich.{{cite web|url=https://www.espn.com/college-football/news/story?id=1943710|title=Weis to be introduced as Irish coach Monday|publisher=ESPN|date=December 13, 2004|access-date=November 13, 2007}} Weis signed a six-year contract worth about $2 million annually excluding incentives.{{Cite web |last= |date=2004-12-13 |title=Weis signs with Notre Dame |url=https://www.deseret.com/2004/12/13/19866495/weis-signs-with-notre-dame |access-date=2023-08-22 |website=Deseret News |language=en}}{{Cite web |title=Weis to Notre Dame; deal is officially done |url=https://www.capecodtimes.com/story/sports/2004/12/13/weis-to-notre-dame-deal/50915035007/ |access-date=2023-08-22 |website=Cape Cod Times |language=en-US}}{{Cite web |title=Weis gets six-year deal |url=https://www.milforddailynews.com/story/sports/2004/12/12/weis-gets-six-year-deal/41179797007/ |access-date=2023-08-22 |website=Milford Daily News |language=en-US}}

To kick off his inaugural season, Weis led the Irish to back-to-back road wins over ranked teams, the first time that had been done by a Notre Dame coach since Knute Rockne. On September 25, Weis and the Irish traveled to Seattle to face Washington and former head coach Tyrone Willingham, who was hired by the Huskies to be their head coach two weeks after getting fired at Notre Dame.{{cite web|url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/2004/12/13/uw-hires-willingham/|title=UW hires Willingham|website=Chicago Tribune |date=December 13, 2004 }} The Irish won by a score of 36–17.{{cite web |title=Notre Dame vs. Washington - Game Recap - September 24, 2005 - ESPN |url=http://www.espn.com/college-football/recap?gameId=252670264 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170926041500/http://www.espn.com/college-football/recap?gameId=252670264 |archive-date=September 26, 2017 |access-date=November 16, 2017 |website=ESPN.com}} Entering the rivalry game with USC, defending national champions and owners of a 27-game winning streak, the Irish had risen to #9 in the AP Poll. In one of the most famous games in the rivalry's history, USC defeated Notre Dame 34–31. The game is most remembered for Trojan running back and eventual Heisman winner Reggie Bush, who had already scored three touchdowns that day, illegally pushing quarterback Matt Leinart into the end zone on the final play of the game, in a play now known as the "Bush Push". The Irish won their remaining five games to earn an appearance in the Fiesta Bowl. There, they were defeated by the Ohio State Buckeyes 34–20{{cite web |date=December 13, 2015 |title=Flashback: Ohio State Last Met Notre Dame in the 2006 Fiesta Bowl |url=http://www.elevenwarriors.com/ohio-state-football/2015/12/64992/flashback-ohio-state-last-met-notre-dame-in-the-2006-fiesta-bowl}} to finish the season 9–3 and #9 in the AP poll, their highest final ranking since 1993. Quarterback Brady Quinn broke numerous team passing records that season and became a top Heisman Trophy contender.{{cite web|url=http://www.und.com/sports/m-footbl/mtt/brady_quinn_235722.html|title=Brady Quinn Bio :: Notre Dame Football :: UND.COM :: The Official Site of Notre Dame Athletics|access-date=2018-08-19|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180820005947/http://www.und.com/sports/m-footbl/mtt/brady_quinn_235722.html|archive-date=2018-08-20|url-status=dead}} Wide receiver Jeff Samardzija was the team's leading receiver and also broke Notre Dame's single-season records for receiving yards and touchdowns.{{cite web|url=http://bleacherreport.com/articles/2130477-notre-dame-football-what-if-jeff-samardzija-had-kept-playing-football|title=Notre Dame Football: What If Jeff Samardzija Had Kept Playing Football?|first=Keith|last=Arnold|website=Bleacher Report }} During the 2005 season, Notre Dame signed Weis to a big raise and ten-year contract extension that was set to keep the coach in South Bend through the 2015 season.{{cite web|url=https://www.espn.com/college-football/news/story?id=2207478|title=ND's Weis gets contract extension worth $30–40 million|date=October 29, 2005|website=ESPN.com|access-date=November 16, 2017}}{{cite web |title=2005 Notre Dame Fighting Irish Schedule and Results |url=https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/schools/notre-dame/2005-schedule.html |access-date=November 16, 2017 |website=College Football at Sports-Reference.com}}

Weis and the Irish went into the 2006 season with a No. 2 preseason ranking in the ESPN/Coaches Poll.{{cite web|url=http://www.uhnd.com/football/2006-season/notre-dame-opens-2-in-ap/|title=Notre Dame Opens 2006 Season #2 in AP Poll // UHND.com|date=August 20, 2006}} They finished the regular season with a 10–2 record, losing only to Michigan and USC. Notre Dame accepted a bid to the 2007 Sugar Bowl, losing to LSU 41–14. This marked their ninth consecutive postseason loss, the longest drought in NCAA history.{{cite web|url=https://www.espn.com/college-football/bowls06/columns/story?columnist=schlabach_mark&id=2719490|title=Schlabach: Notre Dame shows it doesn't belong in BCS bowls|date=January 4, 2007|website=ESPN.com|access-date=November 16, 2017}} As a result, Notre Dame dropped to #17 in the final rankings.{{cite web|url=http://www.nationalchamps.net/NCAA/2006_final_polls.htm|title=2006 College Football Final Polls|website=Nationalchamps.net|access-date=November 16, 2017}}{{cite web |title=2006 Notre Dame Fighting Irish Schedule and Results |url=https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/schools/notre-dame/2006-schedule.html |access-date=November 16, 2017 |website=College Football at Sports-Reference.com}} In the wake of a graduating class that sent eleven players to the NFL,{{cite news|url=http://www.und.com/sports/m-footbl/spec-rel/043007aac.html|title=Seven Notre Dame Football Players Drafted into NFL; Four Others Sign Free Agent Contracts|publisher=und.cstv.com|date=April 30, 2007|access-date=November 28, 2007|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150123225443/http://www.und.com/sports/m-footbl/spec-rel/043007aac.html|archive-date=January 23, 2015|url-status=dead}} the 2007 season included various negative milestones: the most losses in a single year (9);{{cite web|url=http://football.stassen.com/cgi-bin/records/fetch-team.pl?team=Notre_Dame|title=All-Time Records for Notre Dame|work=stassen.com|access-date=September 6, 2015|archive-date=September 12, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150912094500/http://football.stassen.com/cgi-bin/records/fetch-team.pl?team=Notre_Dame|url-status=dead}} two of the ten worst losses in program history (38–0 losses to both Michigan{{cite web|url=http://www.espn.com/college-football/recap?gameId=272580130|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170926041654/http://www.espn.com/college-football/recap?gameId=272580130|url-status=dead|archive-date=September 26, 2017|title=Notre Dame vs. Michigan – Game Recap – September 15, 2007 – ESPN|website=ESPN.com|access-date=November 16, 2017}} and USC);{{cite web|url=http://www.espn.com/ncf/recap/_/id/272930087|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170926042307/http://www.espn.com/ncf/recap/_/id/272930087|url-status=dead|archive-date=September 26, 2017|title=USC vs. Notre Dame – Game Recap – October 20, 2007 – ESPN|website=ESPN.com|access-date=November 16, 2017}} and the first 6-game losing streak for home games.{{cite web|url=http://www.und.com/sports/m-footbl/spec-rel/090514aab.html|title=Notre Dame-Michigan: To The End|access-date=2018-08-19|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180820005815/http://www.und.com/sports/m-footbl/spec-rel/090514aab.html|archive-date=2018-08-20|url-status=dead}} The Naval Academy recorded their first win over the Irish since 1963, breaking Notre Dame's NCAA-record 43-game win streak.{{cite web|url=http://www.espn.com/college-football/recap?gameId=273070087|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170111005630/http://www.espn.com/college-football/recap?gameId=273070087|url-status=dead|archive-date=January 11, 2017|title=Navy vs. Notre Dame – Game Recap – November 3, 2007 – ESPN|website=ESPN.com|access-date=November 16, 2017}}

In 2008, the Irish started 4–1, but completed the regular season with a 6–6 record,{{cite web|url=https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/schools/notre-dame/2008-schedule.html|title=2008 Notre Dame Fighting Irish Schedule and Results|website=College Football at Sports-Reference.com|access-date=November 16, 2017}} including a 24–23 home loss to Syracuse, the first time that Notre Dame had fallen to an eight-loss team.{{cite web|url=http://www.espn.com/college-football/recap?gameId=283270087|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170926042322/http://www.espn.com/college-football/recap?gameId=283270087|url-status=dead|archive-date=September 26, 2017|title=Syracuse vs. Notre Dame – Game Recap – November 22, 2008 – ESPN|website=ESPN.com|access-date=November 16, 2017}} Quarterback Jimmy Clausen was the team's star player, completing over 60% of his passes.{{cite web|url=http://www.und.com/sports/m-footbl/mtt/clausen_jimmy00.html|title=Jimmy Clausen Bio :: Notre Dame Football :: UND.COM :: The Official Site of Notre Dame Athletics|access-date=2018-08-19|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150906084054/http://www.und.com/sports/m-footbl/mtt/clausen_jimmy00.html|archive-date=2015-09-06|url-status=dead}}{{cite web|url=http://bleacherreport.com/articles/428451-jimmy-clausen-the-notre-dame-legend-that-never-was|title=Jimmy Clausen: The Notre Dame Legend That Never Was|first=Dan|last=Scofield|website=Bleacher Report }} Despite speculation the university might fire Weis, it was announced he would remain head coach.{{cite news|url=https://sports.yahoo.com/ncaa/football/news?slug=ap-notredame-weis&prov=ap&type=lgns|title=Notre Dame keeps Weis, though season 'fell short'|publisher=und.cstv.com|date=December 3, 2008|access-date=December 3, 2008}} Weis's Notre Dame squad ended the season breaking the Irish's NCAA bowl losing streak by beating Hawaii, 49–21, in the Hawaii Bowl.{{cite news|url= http://www.espn.com/ncf/recap?gameId=283590087|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20161220032747/http://www.espn.com/ncf/recap?gameId=283590087|url-status= dead|archive-date= December 20, 2016|title=Clausen sets ND records with 401 yards passing, 5 TDs in romp |work=ESPN |date=December 24, 2008|access-date=December 24, 2008}} Weis entered the 2009 season with the expectation from the Notre Dame administration that his team would be in position to compete for a BCS Bowl berth.{{cite news|first=George|last=Smith|url= https://www.espn.com/college-football/news/story?id=4670853 |title=Swarbrick: Didn't see Navy loss coming |work=ESPN|date=November 19, 2008|access-date=November 27, 2008}} Notre Dame started the first part of the season 4–2, with close losses to Michigan and USC. Sitting at 6–2, however, Notre Dame lost to Navy for the second time in three years,{{cite web|url=http://www.espn.com/ncf/recap/_/id/293110087|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170226214202/http://www.espn.com/ncf/recap/_/id/293110087|url-status=dead|archive-date=February 26, 2017|title=Navy vs. Notre Dame - Game Recap - November 7, 2009 - ESPN|website=ESPN.com|access-date=November 16, 2017}} which became the first loss in a four-game losing streak to finish the season. Quarterback Jimmy Clausen and wide receiver Golden Tate would forgo their senior seasons and enter the NFL Draft.{{cite web|url=https://www.espn.com/nfl/draft10/news/story?id=4721703|title=Notre Dame's Clausen decides to enter draft|date=December 7, 2009|website=ESPN.com|access-date=November 16, 2017}} Weis was fired on November 30, 2009.{{cite web | url=https://www.espn.com/college-football/news/story?id=4700891 | title=Notre Dame fires Weis after five seasons | date=November 30, 2009 }} According to Weis' buyout, he was to be paid $6 million then $2.05 million annually until the contract ran out in December 2015 for a total of about $19 million.{{cite web|url=http://www.indystar.com/story/sports/college/notre-dame/2017/05/15/notre-dames-charlie-weis-buyout-gift-keeps-giving/322298001/|title=Notre Dame paid Charlie Weis nearly $19 million to go away}} During that time, Weis made more money annually not to coach the Irish than his successor, Brian Kelly, made to coach the team.{{cite web|url=https://www.espn.com/college-football/story/_/id/15566256/tax-returns-notre-dame-paid-charlie-weis-more-2014-15-brian-kelly|title=Weis still earning more cash from ND than Kelly|date=16 May 2016 }}

File:Brian Kelly.jpeg

On December 10, 2009, Cincinnati head coach Brian Kelly became the 31st head coach of the Fighting Irish after leading the Bearcats to a 12–0 record and BCS bowl-game berth, but he left the team before the bowl game.{{cite web | url=https://www.espn.com/college-football/news/story?id=4734086 | title=Kelly: Notre Dame will 'go to work right away' | date=December 11, 2009 }}{{cite web|url=https://www.espn.com/college-football/news/story?id=4734086|title=Kelly: Notre Dame will 'go to work right away'|date=December 11, 2009|website=ESPN.com|access-date=November 16, 2017}} Kelly's hiring surprised very few as he was a northern Irish Catholic who was considered one of college football's rising stars.{{cite news | url=https://www.nytimes.com/2009/12/08/sports/ncaafootball/08irish.html | title=Kelly to Interview with Notre Dame | work=The New York Times | date=December 7, 2009 | last1=Thamel | first1=Pete }} In his first season, Kelly led the Fighting Irish to an 8–5 record.{{cite web|url=https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/schools/notre-dame/2010-schedule.html|title=2010 Notre Dame Fighting Irish Schedule and Results|website=College Football at Sports-Reference.com|access-date=November 16, 2017}} Tragedy struck early in the season when Declan Sullivan, a junior working for the athletic department, died while filming a practice on a scissor lift in dangerously high winds.{{cite web|url=https://www.espn.com/college-football/news/story?id=5734494|title=Notre Dame student taping football practice dies|date=October 27, 2010|website=ESPN.com|access-date=November 16, 2017}} Dayne Crist started the season at quarterback but was injured for a second consecutive year, this time in the Tulsa game, which the Irish lost.{{cite web|url=http://www.espn.com/college-football/recap?gameId=303030087|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160915052419/http://www.espn.com/college-football/recap?gameId=303030087|url-status=dead|archive-date=September 15, 2016|title=Tulsa vs. Notre Dame - Game Recap - October 30, 2010 - ESPN|website=ESPN.com|access-date=November 16, 2017}} Kelly turned to freshman quarterback Tommy Rees, who led the Irish to victories in the last three games against #15 Utah, Army in Yankee Stadium, and breaking an eight-year losing streak to USC in the LA Coliseum. Kelly guided the Irish to a 33–17 win over Miami (FL) in the 2010 Sun Bowl to finish 2010 with an 8–5 record.{{cite web|url=http://www.scout.com/college/notre-dame/story/802274-2010-season-preview-notre-dame|title=Notre Dame Fighting Irish Football, Basketball, and Recruiting Front Page|work=scout.com|access-date=September 6, 2015}} With wideout Michael Floyd returning for his senior season and an outstanding recruiting class that included several highly touted defensive linemen,{{cite web|url=http://www.news-sentinel.com/sports/ndu/Looking-back-on-the-2011-Notre-Dame-recruiting-class--Part-I|title=Looking back on the 2011 Notre Dame recruiting class, Part I|website=News-Sentinel.com|access-date=November 16, 2017}}{{dead link|date=February 2018 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }} Kelly and the Irish looked to improve on their 8–5 record from the prior year. However, an early season upset to a Skip Holtz-led South Florida team and a last-second loss to Michigan in Ann Arbor, games in which the Irish committed 10 total turnovers, left the Irish at 0–2 to start the season. The Irish bounced back to beat #15 Michigan State and had two 4-game winning streaks, with the only loss during that stretch coming at the hands of USC.{{cite web|url=http://www.espn.com/college-football/recap?gameId=312950087|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170926041233/http://www.espn.com/college-football/recap?gameId=312950087|url-status=dead|archive-date=September 26, 2017|title=USC vs. Notre Dame – Game Recap – October 22, 2011 – ESPN|website=ESPN.com|access-date=November 16, 2017}} The Irish also broke Navy's 2-game winning streak over Notre Dame. Notre Dame lost 18–14 to Florida State in the 2011 Champs Sports Bowl, concluding the 2011 campaign with an 8–5 record overall, identical to the 2010 season.{{cite web|url=https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/schools/notre-dame/2011-schedule.html|title=2011 Notre Dame Fighting Irish Schedule and Results|website=College Football at Sports-Reference.com|access-date=November 16, 2017}} In the team's losses, multiple turnovers from the quarterback position were often the culprit, and as a whole turnovers at critical times in the game often derailed potential Irish comebacks.

On September 12, 2012, during the football program's 125th season, Notre Dame announced that it would leave the Big East Conference for the Atlantic Coast Conference, excluding the football and hockey programs.{{cite web|url=https://www.espn.com/college-sports/story/_/id/8369070/notre-dame-sports-football-hockey-acc|title=Notre Dame sports, except football, joins ACC|date=12 September 2012 }} This move became official on July 1, 2013. While the Fighting Irish football team remained an FBS independent, it agreed to play five games per season against ACC teams starting with the 2014 football season. In return, Notre Dame became eligible to participate in the ACC's sub-BCS level bowl arrangements.{{cite press release|url=http://www.theacc.com/genrel/091212aaa.html |title=ACC Accepts Notre Dame as New Member |publisher=Atlantic Coast Conference |date=September 12, 2012 |access-date=September 12, 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120913011751/http://www.theacc.com/genrel/091212aaa.html |archive-date=September 13, 2012 |df=mdy }}

The 2012 season was another entry in historic third seasons for Notre Dame head coaches. The Irish began the season 7–0, including wins over ranked rivals in Michigan State, Michigan, and Stanford. The game against the Cardinal required a goal-line stand against running back Stepfan Taylor in overtime to preserve the win for the Irish.{{Cite web |title=Notre Dame 20-13 Stanford (Oct 13, 2012) Game Recap |url=https://www.espn.com/college-football/recap/_/gameId/322870087 |access-date=2024-08-20 |website=ESPN |language=en}} The season's signature win came at #8 Oklahoma with ESPN's College GameDay in town. On November 18, after a loss by #1 Oregon, Notre Dame became ranked #1 in the nation in both the AP and Coaches' polls after reaching 11–0 during the regular season for the first time since 1993, also ranking #1 in the BCS standings for the first time in the 14-year history of the selection system.{{cite web|url=http://www.und.com/sports/m-footbl/mtt/kelly_brian00.html|title=Brian Kelly Bio :: Notre Dame Football :: UND.COM :: The Official Site of Notre Dame Athletics|access-date=2018-08-19|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180820005935/http://www.und.com/sports/m-footbl/mtt/kelly_brian00.html|archive-date=2018-08-20|url-status=dead}} After defeating USC on November 24,{{cite web|url=https://www.espn.com/college-football/recap?gameId=323290030|title=Notre Dame vs. USC – Game Recap – November 24, 2012 – ESPN|website=ESPN.com|access-date=November 16, 2017}} Notre Dame concluded its first 12–0 regular season, and the Irish were soon formally named to appear in the BCS National Championship Game for the first time. In that game, on January 7, 2013, the Irish lost to Alabama 42–14.{{cite news| url=https://www.foxnews.com/sports/alabama-beats-notre-dame-to-win-bcs-championship-game | work=Fox News | title=Alabama beats Notre Dame to win BCS championship game | date=January 8, 2013}} The strength of the 2012 Fighting Irish was its defense, captained by senior leader Manti Te'o, who broke the school record for interceptions by a linebacker with 7 and finished second to Johnny Manziel in Heisman Trophy voting.

Coming off the previous year's national title game appearance, the Fighting Irish were dealt a blow when 2012 starting quarterback, Everett Golson, was suspended from the University due to an academic violation.{{cite web|url=https://www.espn.com/college-football/story/_/id/9899850/notre-dame-suspension-due-poor-judgment-test|title=Golson: Suspension for poor judgment on test|date=29 October 2013 }} Senior Tommy Rees then took over. Notre Dame's 2013 season ended with a record of 9–4,{{cite web|url=https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/schools/notre-dame/2013-schedule.html|title=2013 Notre Dame Fighting Irish Schedule and Results|website=College Football at Sports-Reference.com|access-date=November 16, 2017}} a victory over Rutgers in the Pinstripe Bowl, and a #20 AP poll ranking.{{cite web|url=http://chicago.cbslocal.com/2013/12/28/notre-dame-beats-rutgers-29-16-in-pinstripe-bowl/|title=Notre Dame Beats Rutgers 29–16 in Pinstripe Bowl|work=cbslocal.com|date=December 28, 2013 |access-date=September 6, 2015}}{{cite web|url=https://www.espn.com/college-football/rankings/_/year/2013/|title=2013 NCAA College Football Polls and Rankings for Week 1 – ESPN|work=ESPN.com|access-date=September 6, 2015}} The 2014 season started off with 6 straight victories and a #5 national ranking heading into a showdown with #2 Florida State in Tallahassee, Florida. FSU won that game 31–27, on a controversial offensive pass interference call that brought back a last-second Notre Dame touchdown. The Fighting Irish bounced back with a win against Navy before dropping their final 4 games of the season. They did win the Music City Bowl by defeating the LSU Tigers and finished the season at an 8–5 record.{{cite web|url=https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/schools/notre-dame/2014-schedule.html|title=2014 Notre Dame Fighting Irish Schedule and Results - College Football at Sports-Reference.com|website=College Football at Sports-Reference.com|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161226221830/http://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/schools/notre-dame/2014-schedule.html|archive-date=December 26, 2016|df=mdy-all}}

The 2015 Fighting Irish began its season with another new offensive coordinator, Mike Sanford Jr.{{cite web|url=http://www.und.com/sports/m-footbl/mtt/mike_sanford_957996.html|title=Mike Sanford Bio :: Notre Dame Football :: UND.COM :: The Official Site of Notre Dame Athletics|access-date=2018-08-19|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180820005902/http://www.und.com/sports/m-footbl/mtt/mike_sanford_957996.html|archive-date=2018-08-20|url-status=dead}} Led for most of the year by sophomore quarterback DeShone Kizer, the Irish had fourteen plays of over 50 yards during the season, which was a school record, including two touchdowns of over 90 yards (a 91-yard touchdown run by C. J. Prosise and a 98-yard touchdown run by Josh Adams). The Irish only had two in the previous 126 years of Notre Dame football. They finished the regular season averaging 34 points per game, including a 62-point effort against UMass, the most points in a game since 1996. The Irish began the season 10–1 and were in position for a College Football Playoff appearance, but lost a last-second game to Stanford to finish with a 10–2 record and a berth in the Fiesta Bowl.{{cite web|url=https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/schools/notre-dame/2015-schedule.html|title=2015 Notre Dame Fighting Irish Schedule and Results|website=College Football at Sports-Reference.com|access-date=November 16, 2017}} Star linebacker Jaylon Smith was injured early in the game which became a loss to Ohio State.{{cite web|url=https://www.espn.com/college-football/recap?gameId=400852736|title=Notre Dame vs. Ohio State – Game Recap – January 1, 2016 – ESPN|website=ESPN.com|access-date=November 16, 2017}} The 2016 season ended with a 4–8 record, Brian Kelly's worst win–loss record at Notre Dame. The tone for the season was set early, with a heartbreaking double overtime loss to Texas in the season opener.{{cite web|url=https://www.espn.com/college-football/game?gameId=400868946|title=Notre Dame vs. Texas - Game Summary - September 4, 2016 - ESPN|website=ESPN.com|access-date=November 16, 2017}} Just 4 games into the season, Brian Kelly fired defensive coordinator Brian VanGorder.{{cite web|url=https://www.si.com/college-football/2016/09/25/notre-dame-fighting-irish-brain-vangorder-fired|title=VanGorder firing won't fix Notre Dame's real issue|first=Brian|last=Hamilton|date=September 25, 2016 }} At the end of the season, starting quarterback DeShone Kizer declared for the NFL Draft{{cite web|url=http://www.chicagotribune.com/sports/college/ct-notre-dame-deshone-kizer-nfl-draft-20161212-story.html|title=Notre Dame QB DeShone Kizer declares for NFL draft|first=Paul|last=Skrbina|website=Chicago Tribune |date=December 12, 2016 }} and backup quarterback Malik Zaire announced he would be transferring in the winter after graduation.{{cite web|url=http://www.chicagotribune.com/sports/college/ct-malik-zaire-choices-notre-dame-football-spt-1130-20161129-story.html|title=Malik Zaire to get release from Notre Dame; could end up at Wisconsin|first=Paul|last=Skrbina|website=Chicago Tribune |date=November 29, 2016 }}{{cite web |title=2016 Notre Dame Fighting Irish Schedule and Results |url=https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/schools/notre-dame/2016-schedule.html |access-date=November 16, 2017 |website=College Football at Sports-Reference.com}} Amidst speculation that Kelly's job was in jeopardy and that Kelly was looking to leave Notre Dame, athletics director Jack Swarbrick announced that Kelly would return for the 2017 season.{{cite web|url=https://www.si.com/college-football/2016/10/21/brian-kelly-notre-dame-return-2017-jack-swarbrick|title=Notre Dame AD says Brian Kelly to return in 2017|website=Si.com|date=October 21, 2016 |access-date=November 16, 2017}}

The 2017 season was one of Kelly's strongest seasons at ND. An early one-point loss to #2 Georgia was the only blemish on an 8-1 start, keyed by a 49-14 blowout over rival USC. The tough running of running back Josh Adams behind an experienced and talented offensive line, which included future top-10 picks Quenton Nelson and Mike McGlinchey and won the Joe Moore Award as the best offensive line in that nation, allowed Notre Dame to string together 6 consecutive 20+ point victories. However, when #3 Notre Dame visited #7 Miami in South Florida on November 7, an embarrassing 41-8 loss effectively ended the Irish hopes of a playoff run. They ended the season with a win over LSU in the Music City Bowl.{{Cite web |title=2017 Notre Dame Fighting Irish Schedule and Results {{!}} College Football at Sports-Reference.com |url=https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/schools/notre-dame/2017-schedule.html |access-date=2018-04-11 |website=College Football at Sports-Reference.com |language=en}} The Irish opened the 2018 season at home against Michigan and won, 24–17.{{Cite web |title=Michigan at Notre Dame Box Score, September 1, 2018 |url=https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/boxscores/2018-09-01-notre-dame.html |access-date=April 2, 2023 |website=College Football at Sports-Reference.com |language=en |archive-date=February 21, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230221191330/https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/boxscores/2018-09-01-notre-dame.html |url-status=live }} After benching quarterback Brandon Wimbush in favor of Ian Book, the Irish then won the remainder of their regular season games, including victories over #7 Stanford, #24 Virginia Tech, #12 Syracuse, and Northwestern.{{Cite web |title=2018 Notre Dame Fighting Irish Schedule and Results |url=https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/schools/notre-dame/2018-schedule.html |access-date=April 2, 2023 |website=College Football at Sports-Reference.com |language=en |archive-date=March 21, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230321203705/https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/schools/notre-dame/2018-schedule.html |url-status=live }} This led to Notre Dame's first undefeated regular season since 2012.{{Cite web |date=November 2, 2018 |title=Notre Dame Football: Let's Compare the 2012 & 2018 Offenses |url=https://www.onefootdown.com/2018/11/2/18057818/notre-dame-football-irish-college-2012-2018-offense-undefeated-everett-golson-ian-book-rees-wimbush |access-date=April 2, 2023 |website=One Foot Down |language=en |archive-date=August 9, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220809054338/https://www.onefootdown.com/2018/11/2/18057818/notre-dame-football-irish-college-2012-2018-offense-undefeated-everett-golson-ian-book-rees-wimbush |url-status=live }} They were ranked #3 in the nation by the College Football Playoff committee and selected to play in the College Football Playoff semifinal at the Cotton Bowl against Clemson.{{Cite web |last=Staats |first=Wayne |date=December 19, 2018 |title=College Football Playoff: Alabama, Clemson, Notre Dame and Oklahoma in top four |url=https://www.ncaa.com/news/football/article/2018-12-02/college-football-playoff-alabama-clemson-notre-dame-and-oklahoma |access-date=April 2, 2023 |website=NCAA.com |language=en |archive-date=August 13, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220813152944/https://www.ncaa.com/news/football/article/2018-12-02/college-football-playoff-alabama-clemson-notre-dame-and-oklahoma |url-status=live }} Notre Dame's undefeated streak came to an end after losing to the eventual national champions 30–3 to finish the season at 12–1.{{Cite web |title=Cotton Bowl - Notre Dame vs Clemson Box Score, December 29, 2018 |url=https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/boxscores/2018-12-29-clemson.html |access-date=March 21, 2023 |website=College Football at Sports-Reference.com |language=en |archive-date=March 21, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230321203810/https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/boxscores/2018-12-29-clemson.html |url-status=live }} Kelly was named AP Coach of the Year and Home Depot Coach of the Year for the 2018 season.{{Cite web |last=Russo |first=Ralph D. |date=December 17, 2018 |title=Notre Dame's Brian Kelly wins second AP Coach of the Year award |url=https://www.indystar.com/story/sports/college/notre-dame/2018/12/17/notre-dames-brian-kelly-wins-second-ap-coach-year-award-fighting-irish/2337103002/ |access-date=April 2, 2023 |website=The Indianapolis Star |language=en-US |archive-date=August 20, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220820051956/https://www.indystar.com/story/sports/college/notre-dame/2018/12/17/notre-dames-brian-kelly-wins-second-ap-coach-year-award-fighting-irish/2337103002/ |url-status=live }}{{Cite web |title=Home Depot Coach of the Year Award Winners |url=https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/awards/home-depot-coy.html |access-date=April 2, 2023 |website=College Football at Sports-Reference.com |language=en |archive-date=December 27, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221227201841/https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/awards/home-depot-coy.html |url-status=live }}

Kelly and the Fighting Irish started off the 2019 season with a #9 ranking in the AP Poll. Notre Dame won their first two games before dropping a 23–17 result to #3 Georgia. Notre Dame won their next three games before dropping a 45–14 game to #19 Michigan. Notre Dame closed out the regular season with victories in their last five games, followed by a win in the Camping World Bowl 33–9 over Iowa State.{{Cite web |title=Camping World Bowl - Notre Dame vs Iowa State Box Score, December 28, 2019 |url=https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/boxscores/2019-12-28-iowa-state.html |access-date=March 21, 2023 |website=College Football at Sports-Reference.com |language=en |archive-date=March 21, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230321203720/https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/boxscores/2019-12-28-iowa-state.html |url-status=live }}

In response to the COVID-19 pandemic and the cancellation of regular season scheduled games, Notre Dame joined the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) in football for a single season in 2020 and played a full slate of conference matches.{{Cite web |last=Martinelli |first=Michelle R. |date=July 30, 2020 |title=Answering 8 questions about Notre Dame football joining the ACC in 2020 |url=https://ftw.usatoday.com/2020/07/college-football-notre-dame-acc-explain-conference-championship |access-date=March 21, 2023 |website=For The Win |language=en-US |archive-date=March 21, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230321203619/https://ftw.usatoday.com/2020/07/college-football-notre-dame-acc-explain-conference-championship |url-status=live }} The Irish won all ten of their games, including a mid-season contest against perennial conference power and top-ranked Clemson. The Fighting Irish defeated the Tigers 47–40 in double overtime. However, Clemson defeated the Irish in a rematch in the ACC Championship Game 34–10. Notre Dame qualified for the College Football Playoff as the #4 seed.{{Cite web |last=Staats |first=Wayne |date=December 20, 2020 |title=College Football Playoff: Alabama, Clemson, Ohio State and Notre Dame lead rankings |url=https://www.ncaa.com/news/football/article/2020-12-20/college-football-playoff-alabama-clemson-ohio-state-and-notre-dame-make-semifinals |access-date=April 2, 2023 |website=NCAA.com |language=en |archive-date=March 13, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230313183944/https://www.ncaa.com/news/football/article/2020-12-20/college-football-playoff-alabama-clemson-ohio-state-and-notre-dame-make-semifinals |url-status=live }} In the College Football Playoff Semifinals against Alabama at the Rose Bowl, Notre Dame lost 31–14 to finish with a 10–2 record.{{Cite web |title=2020 Notre Dame Fighting Irish Schedule and Results |url=https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/schools/notre-dame/2020-schedule.html |access-date=April 2, 2023 |website=College Football at Sports-Reference.com |language=en |archive-date=March 21, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230321203648/https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/schools/notre-dame/2020-schedule.html |url-status=live }} In what would become Kelly's final season as head coach in 2021, the Fighting Irish were ranked #9 to begin the season, but struggled in their first two games, beating Florida State 41–38 and Toledo 32–29. Following a 24–13 loss to #7 Cincinnati, Kelly helped lead the Fighting Irish to a seven-game winning streak to finish the regular season 11–1 and earn a berth in the Fiesta Bowl.{{Cite web |title=2021 Notre Dame Fighting Irish Schedule and Results |url=https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/schools/notre-dame/2021-schedule.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230321203029/https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/schools/notre-dame/2021-schedule.html |archive-date=March 21, 2023 |access-date=March 21, 2023 |website=College Football at Sports-Reference.com |language=en}}

On November 29, 2021, Kelly resigned as Notre Dame head coach to accept a ten-year, $95 million contract offer to become head coach at LSU.{{Cite web |date=2021-11-30 |title=Kelly leaves ND for LSU, gets 10-year, $95M deal |url=https://www.espn.com/college-football/story/_/id/32748893/lsu-set-hire-notre-dame-brian-kelly-next-head-football-coach-sources-say |access-date=2023-08-22 |website=ESPN.com |language=en}} In so doing, Kelly became the first Irish head coach since Thomas A. Barry in 1907 to leave Notre Dame for another coaching job.{{Cite web |last= |date=2021-11-30 |title=Brian Kelly leaves Notre Dame as he predicted, though the unexpected rush overshadows his successes |url=https://www.nbcsports.com/college-football/news/brian-kelly-leaves-notre-dame-as-he-predicted-though-the-unexpected-rush-overshadows-his-successes |access-date=2023-08-22 |website=NBC Sports |language=en-US}} Kelly left the Irish as the program's all-time winningest head coach.{{Cite web |date=2021-09-25 |title=Notre Dame's Brian Kelly passes Knute Rockne as winningest coach in Fighting Irish history |url=https://www.cbssports.com/college-football/news/notre-dames-brian-kelly-passes-knute-rockne-as-winningest-coach-in-fighting-irish-history/ |access-date=2023-08-22 |website=CBSSports.com |language=en}}{{Citation |title=Brian Kelly Notre Dame's All-Time Winningest Coach |date=2021-09-26 |url=https://fightingirish.com/brian-kelly-notre-dames-all-time-winningest-coach/ |access-date=2023-08-22 |publisher= |language=en-US}}

File:90th Annual Tony the Tiger Sun Bowl game (8189157).jpg]]

On December 3, 2021, Notre Dame's defensive coordinator Marcus Freeman was promoted to the head coaching position to replace Brian Kelly, becoming the 32nd head coach in program history.{{Cite web |date=2021-12-03 |title=Notre Dame elevates DC Freeman to head coach |url=https://www.espn.com/college-football/story/_/id/32777349/sources-notre-dame-fighting-irish-expected-announce-hiring-marcus-freeman-head-football-coach-friday-morning |access-date=2023-08-22 |website=ESPN.com |language=en}}{{cite news |first=Shehan |last=Jeyarajah |date=December 2, 2021 |url=https://www.cbssports.com/college-football/news/notre-dame-hires-marcus-freeman-as-next-coach-irish-listen-to-players-also-retain-tommy-rees-to-lead-offense/ |title=Notre Dame hires Marcus Freeman as next coach: Irish listen to players, also retain Tommy Rees to lead offense |work=CBS Sports}} The second African American head coach in the history of the Irish football program, Freeman signed a five-year contract worth $4 million annually excluding incentives.{{Cite news |title=BREAKING: Notre Dame tabbing Marcus Freeman as head coach |language=en |work=Footballscoop |url=https://footballscoop.com/news/notre-dame-marcus-freeman-lsu-brian-kelly-ohio-state |access-date=2023-08-22}}{{Cite news |last=Blinder |first=Alan |date=2022-09-02 |title=Marcus Freeman is 36. He's Also in Charge at Notre Dame. |language=en-US |work=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2022/09/02/sports/ncaafootball/marcus-freeman-notre-dame.html |access-date=2023-08-22 |issn=0362-4331}}{{Cite magazine |title=Notre Dame hires Marcus Freeman as next head coach - Sports Illustrated |language=en-us |magazine=Sports Illustrated |url=https://www.si.com/college/2021/12/03/notre-dame-hires-marcus-freeman-head-coach |access-date=2023-08-22}} Freeman took control immediately, coaching the Irish in their Fiesta Bowl loss to Oklahoma State.{{Cite web |title=Oklahoma State storms back to hand Notre Dame another big-game loss in Fiesta Bowl |url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/ncaaf/2022/01/01/oklahoma-state-epic-comeback-beat-notre-dame-fiesta-bowl/9069434002/ |access-date=2023-08-22 |website=USA TODAY |language=en-US}}{{Cite web |title=Oklahoma State 37-35 Notre Dame (Jan 1, 2022) Final Score |url=https://www.espn.com/college-football/game/_/gameId/401331238 |access-date=2023-08-22 |website=ESPN |language=en}}

Freeman opened the 2022 season with losses to Ohio State (his alma mater) and Marshall, thus becoming first head coach in Notre Dame history to start his tenure with three losses.{{cite web | url=https://www.cbssports.com/college-football/news/now-0-3-notre-dame-coach-marcus-freeman-must-dig-himself-out-of-the-worst-start-in-program-history/ | title=Now 0-3, Notre Dame coach Marcus Freeman must dig himself out of the worst start in program history | date=10 September 2022 }} He collected his first win the following week against California.{{Cite web |title=California 17-24 Notre Dame (Sep 17, 2022) Game Recap |url=https://www.espn.com/college-football/recap/_/gameId/401403987 |access-date=2023-08-22 |website=ESPN |language=en}}{{Cite web |date=2022-09-17 |title=Pyne throws for 2 TDs as Notre Dame beats Cal 24-17 - CBS San Francisco |url=https://www.cbsnews.com/sanfrancisco/news/pyne-throws-2-tds-notre-dame-beats-cal-24-17/ |access-date=2023-08-22 |website=www.cbsnews.com |language=en-US}} Freeman's Irish would go on to finish the regular season ranked 19th with a record of 8-4, including an upset win over #5 Clemson.{{Cite web |title=Clemson 14-35 Notre Dame (Nov 5, 2022) Game Recap |url=https://www.espn.com/college-football/recap/_/gameId/401404130 |access-date=2023-08-22 |website=ESPN |language=en}}{{Cite web |last= |date=2022-11-05 |title=Notre Dame dominates No. 4 Clemson in all phases in a stunning 35-14 upset |url=https://www.nbcsports.com/college-football/news/notre-dame-dominates-no-4-clemson-in-all-phases-in-a-stunning-35-14-upset |access-date=2023-08-22 |website=NBC Sports |language=en-US}} They were awarded a berth in the Gator Bowl where they defeated South Carolina 45–38.{{Cite web |title=Notre Dame 45-38 South Carolina (Dec 30, 2022) Game Recap |url=https://www.espn.com/college-football/recap/_/gameId/401442036 |access-date=2023-08-22 |website=ESPN |language=en}}{{Cite web |title=Notre Dame Fighting Irish vs. South Carolina Gamecocks Live Score and Stats - December 30, 2022 Gametracker |url=https://www.cbssports.com/college-football/gametracker/recap/NCAAF_20221230_ND@SC/ |access-date=2023-08-22 |website=CBSSports.com |language=en}} In 2023, Freeman guided Notre Dame to a 10-win season. Safety Xavier Watts received the Bronko Nagurski Trophy for college football's best defensive player and the team earned victories over #17 Duke (and future Notre Dame quarterback Riley Leonard), #10 USC, and #19 Oregon State in the Sun Bowl. Notre Dame finished the year ranked #14 in the final AP Top 25.

Freeman and the Fighting Irish held their first home game of the 2024 season against Northern Illinois as the #5 ranked team in the AP Top 25 and as a 28.5-point favorite to win. They fell to the Huskies 16-14, with quarterback Riley Leonard throwing two interceptions and the team giving up two blocked field goals. It was the second early-season home loss for the Irish against a heavy underdog in three years (following the 2022 loss to Marshall), was the first-ever win by a Mid-American Conference football program against a top 5 team, the first-ever Huskie win against a top 10 team, and one of the largest point-spread upsets in modern college football.{{cite news |last= bromberg |first= nick |date= September 7, 2024 |title= Northern Illinois stuns No. 5 Notre Dame for first-ever win over a top-10 team |url= https://sports.yahoo.com/northern-illinois-stuns-no-5-notre-dame-for-first-ever-win-over-a-top-10-team-224835461.html |location= Yahoo! Sports}} Despite the upset, the Irish won every remaining game to complete the regular season 11-1 and hosted a home game in the first year of the expanded college football playoffs, in which they beat #10 Indiana 27-17. They then beat the SEC champion #2 Georgia Bulldogs in the Sugar Bowl by a score of 23-10, earning the program's first major bowl win since the 1993 season, and followed it up with a 27-24 win over #6 Penn State in the Orange Bowl to advance to the 2025 National Championship Game, their first appearance in the title game since 2012. The Irish fell short of winning a national championship as they were defeated by Ohio State by a score of 34-23.{{Cite web |last=White |first=Brian |title=Ohio State tops Notre Dame in CFP final to win 7th football national championship |url=https://www.dispatch.com/story/sports/college/football/2025/01/20/ohio-state-notre-dame-college-football-playoff-championship/77745136007/ |access-date=2025-01-21 |website=The Columbus Dispatch |language=en-US}} Watts was voted a consensus All-American at safety for the second consecutive year,{{Cite web |date=2024-12-19 |title=Watts Earns Consensus All-America Honors, First Two-Time Irish Consensus Honoree since 1993 |url=https://fightingirish.com/watts-earns-consensus-all-america-honors-first-two-time-irish-consensus-honoree-since-1993/ |access-date=2025-01-27 |website=Notre Dame Fighting Irish - Official Athletics Website |language=en-US}} while Freeman won the Dodd{{Cite web |date=2024-12-31 |title=Freeman Wins Dodd Trophy for Coach of the Year |url=https://fightingirish.com/freeman-wins-dodd-trophy-for-coach-of-the-year/ |access-date=2025-01-27 |website=Notre Dame Fighting Irish - Official Athletics Website |language=en-US}} and Bear Bryant{{Cite web |title=Marcus Freeman Named 2024 Paul "Bear" Bryant Coach of the Year |url=https://newsroom.heart.org/news/marcus-freeman-named-2024-paul-bear-bryant-coach-of-the-year |access-date=2025-01-27 |website=American Heart Association |language=en-us}} trophies for national coach of the year.

File:Rissman Trophy 1929.jpg. Notre Dame gained permanent possession of the trophy by winning it three times.]]

• Notre Dame was ranked No. 1 by the Dickinson System in 1924, 1929, and 1930 and awarded the Rissman Trophy. Knute Rockne's teams gained permanent possession of this national championship trophy by winning it three times in ten years.{{cite book |last=Dickinson |first=Frank G. |author-link=Dickinson System |date=February 1941 |title=Dickinson's Football Ratings — from Grange to Harmon |url= |location=Omaha, Nebraska |publisher=What's What Publishing Company}}
• Notre Dame has won eight wire service national championships awarded by the AP Poll or Coaches Poll, second most in the post-1936 poll era.{{cite web

|url= https://247sports.com/college/notre-dame/article/notre-dame-alabama-national-titles-for-the-record-104803/|title= ND-Alabama Titles: For The Record|last1= Somogyi|first1= Lou|date= December 3, 2012|work= Blue & Gold Illustrated|access-date=December 20, 2012}}

• The three Dickinson System and eight wire service national championships make a total of 11, but Notre Dame is often credited with additional national championships. The 1938, 1953, and 1964 seasons are part of the reason for the discrepancy. In the 1938 season, 8–1 Notre Dame was awarded the Knute Rockne Memorial Trophy and the national championship by the Dickinson System, while TCU (which finished 11–0) was awarded the championship by the Associated Press. In the 1953 season, an undefeated Notre Dame team (9–0–1) was named national champion by almost every major selector except the AP and UPI (coaches') polls, where the Irish finished second in both to 10–1 Maryland. In 1964 Notre Dame was named national champions by the National Football Foundation and awarded the MacArthur Bowl. As Notre Dame has a policy of only recognizing AP and Coaches' Poll national championships post-1936, the school does not officially recognize the 1938, 1953, or 1964 national championships.{{cite book | url=http://issuu.com/bhardin2/docs/2014_football_media_guide | last2=Masters | first2=Chris | last3=Torbin | first3=Leigh | last1=Bertsch | first1=Michael | title=Notre Dame Football 2014 Media Guide | year=2014 | pages=2,157 | publisher=University of Notre Dame | access-date=May 5, 2015 | archive-date=April 30, 2015 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150430072134/http://issuu.com/bhardin2/docs/2014_football_media_guide | url-status=live }}
• Beyond their eleven claimed national championships, Notre Dame has been named national champion by at least one NCAA-designated "major selector" in an additional eleven seasons: 1919, 1920, 1927, 1938, 1953, 1964, 1967, 1970, 1989, 1993, and 2012.{{cite web |url=https://www.ncaa.com/history/football/fbs|title=Championship History-FBS|access-date=December 20, 2012}}{{cite web |url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/gameon/2013/01/11/bcs-computers-rank-notre-dame-ahead-of-alabama/1826755/|title= Notre Dame is still No. 1, according to one BCS computer|website= USA Today|access-date=January 3, 2018}}

Notre Dame's 11 claimed national championships are:

Following its appearance in the 1925 Rose Bowl, Notre Dame did not play in a post-season game for 44 consecutive years (1925–1968), including after many of the team's most successful seasons from the Rockne era in the 1920s and the Leahy era in the 1940s. The university's stated reasons for its self-imposed hiatus were that bowl games were "glorified exhibitions" that played no part in national championship selections and that they extended the season too far to the detriment of players' academic progress.{{cite web |url=https://247sports.com/college/notre-dame/Article/Notre-Dame-The-Bowl-Games-33639014/ |title= Notre Dame & The Bowl Games |last= Somogyi |first= Lou|date= December 7, 2014|website= Irish Illustrated|access-date= June 26, 2021}}

Notre Dame has made 874 appearances in the Associated Press poll over 71 seasons. Notre Dame has spent 591 weeks in the Top 10, 318 weeks in the Top 5, and 98 weeks at No. 1.{{cite web|url=http://www.collegepollarchive.com/football/ap/teams/summary.cfm?teamid=7|title=Notre Dame AP Football Poll Summary – College Poll Archive – Historical College Football and Basketball Polls and Rankings|work=collegepollarchive.com|access-date=September 6, 2015}} Notre Dame has finished the year ranked in the final Associated Press poll of the season 56 times:

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• Bonniwell Trophy - National Champions as awarded by the Veteran Athletes of Philadelphia

:Notre Dame Fighting Irish - 1924, 1929, 1930

• Rissman Trophy - Dickinson System National Champions

:Notre Dame Fighting Irish - 1924, 1929, 1930

::Notre Dame retained permanent ownership of the traveling Rissman Trophy following their third national championship.

• Albert Russel Erskine Trophy - National Champions

:Notre Dame Fighting Irish - 1929, 1930

• Knute Rockne Memorial Trophy - Dickinson System National Champions

:Notre Dame Fighting Irish - 1938

• Litkenhous Trophy{{Cite sign |title=Litkenhous Ratings Championship trophy |date=July 18, 2013 |type=Trophy plaque |publisher=Litkenhous Ratings |location=Hollingsworth/Manning Hall, University of Mississippi |url=https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Litkenhous_Ratings_Championship_trophy.jpg |access-date=April 5, 2023 |quote=The Difference By Score System}} - Litkenhous Ratings National Champions

:Notre Dame Fighting Irish - 1943, 1946, 1949,{{cite news |last=Litkenhous |first=Dr. E. E. |date=December 14, 1949 |title=Irish Eleven Officially Named Litkenhous Champ |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/116352688/irish-eleven-officially-named/ |work=The Morning News |access-date=January 12, 2023 |quote=The big Litkenhous trophy which now resides at Ann Arbor, Mich., will be transferred to South Bend.}} 1953

• MacArthur Bowl - NFF National Champions

:Notre Dame Fighting Irish - 1964, 1966‡, 1973, 1977, 1988

::‡ - co-champions with Michigan State

• Howard Jones Memorial Trophy — National Champions

:Notre Dame Fighting Irish - 1964, 1966‡

::‡ - co-champions with Michigan State

• Grantland Rice Trophy - FWAA National Champions

:Notre Dame Fighting Irish – 1966, 1973, 1977, 1988

• ACFF Trophy – Association of College Football Fans national champions

:Notre Dame Fighting Irish – 1993{{cite news |date=February 1, 1994 |title=Irish finally take home title |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-south-bend-tribune-irish-finally-tak/122649465/ |work=The South Bend Tribune |access-date=April 10, 2023}}

• The Joe Moore Award

:Notre Dame Fighting Irish – 2017{{cite web|url=http://joemooreaward.com/press-release/2017/12/19/notre-dame-wins-2017-joe-moore-award-as-most-outstanding-offensive-line-unit |title=Notre Dame Wins 2017 Joe Moore Award As Most Outstanding Offensive Line Unit |publisher=Joe Moore Award|date=December 19, 2017}}

• As of 2023, Notre Dame has the fourth-highest winning percentage in NCAA Division I FBS (I-A) history ({{Winning percentage|948|338|42}}) (minimum 100 games of football).{{Cite web|title=Winsipedia - College football ALL-TIME RECORD (WINNING %) (*minimum 100 games) rankings|url=http://www.winsipedia.com/ranking/all-time-record|access-date=2021-04-07|website=Winsipedia|language=en}}
• As of 2023, Notre Dame has produced the most players drafted into the National Football League of any program in the country. As of the 2023 NFL Draft, 532 players have been drafted.{{Cite web|title=Winsipedia - College football NFL DRAFT PICKS rankings|url=http://www.winsipedia.com/ranking/nfl-draft-picks|access-date=2021-04-07|website=Winsipedia|language=en}}
• As of 2023, Notre Dame is fourth in wins among Division I-A/FBS programs (948), trailing Ohio State (964), Alabama (965), and Michigan (1004).{{Cite web|title=Winsipedia - College football ALL-TIME WINS rankings|url=http://www.winsipedia.com/ranking/all-time-wins|access-date=2021-04-07|website=Winsipedia|language=en}}
• As of 2023, Notre Dame has the second-fewest losses (338) of any NCAA Division I program that has been playing football for more than 100 years, behind Alabama (337).
• As of 2023, Notre Dame has had 112 winning seasons in 137 years of football and only 15 losing seasons (including the record for the 2012-2013 season, whose wins were retroactively stripped by the NCAA).{{cite web|url=http://cfbdatawarehouse.com/data/active/n/notre_dame/yearly_totals.php|title=Notre Dame Yearly Totals|website=cfbdatawarehouse.com|access-date=December 25, 2008|df=mdy-all|archive-date=March 11, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150311183536/http://cfbdatawarehouse.com/data/active/n/notre_dame/yearly_totals.php|url-status=dead}}
• One of three football programs with at least seven individual Heisman Trophy winners (shares the distinction with Oklahoma (seven), and USC (eight); Ohio State has seven Heisman Trophies that were won by six players).
• As of 2014, Notre Dame has produced more 1st Team All-Americans (188), consensus All-Americans (81 players on 99 selections) and unanimous All-Americans (33) in football than any other college program.{{cite news|url=http://www.und.com/sports/m-footbl/spec-rel/12-m-footbl-media-guide.html|title=2012 Notre Dame Football Media Guide|publisher=University of Notre Dame|format=PDF|access-date=August 26, 2012|pages=176–177|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120927033336/http://www.und.com/sports/m-footbl/spec-rel/12-m-footbl-media-guide.html|archive-date=September 27, 2012|url-status=dead}}{{cite web|url=http://www.und.com/sports/m-footbl/spec-rel/121412aac.html|work=und.com|title=Manti Te'o Named 33rd Unanimous All-American in School History|date=October 13, 2012|access-date=November 19, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130306210945/http://www.und.com/sports/m-footbl/spec-rel/121412aac.html|archive-date=March 6, 2013|url-status=dead}}
• Notre Dame is represented by 50 players and coaches in the College Football Hall of Fame, the most of any university.{{cite news|url=http://www.und.com/sports/m-footbl/spec-rel/050907aab.html|title=Chris Zorich Named To College Football Hall of Fame|date=May 9, 2007|publisher=und.com|access-date=December 17, 2007|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120523180926/http://www.und.com/sports/m-footbl/spec-rel/050907aab.html|archive-date=May 23, 2012|url-status=dead}}
• 12 former players are in the Pro Football Hall of Fame, tied with USC.
• Helped by its status as a highly regarded academic institution (ranked 19th by U.S. News & World Report),{{cite web|url=http://colleges.usnews.rankingsandreviews.com/best-colleges/notre-dame-1840|title=University of Notre Dame – Best College – Education – US News|access-date=August 25, 2010|archive-date=February 14, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110214181400/http://colleges.usnews.rankingsandreviews.com/best-colleges/notre-dame-1840|url-status=dead}} Notre Dame is second only to Nebraska in Academic All-Americans (66).
• Notre Dame holds the NCAA record for Most consecutive wins over one opponent, beating the US Naval Academy (USNA) 43 times in a row before falling to them in 2007.{{cite news|url=http://www.espn.com/ncf/recap?gameId=273070087|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161220030840/http://www.espn.com/ncf/recap?gameId=273070087|url-status=dead|archive-date=December 20, 2016|title=Notre Dame's NCAA-record 43-game win streak over Navy ends |work=ESPN|access-date=April 24, 2008}}
• The football program is also known for ending the Oklahoma Sooners' NCAA record winning streak of 47 games in 1957. Coincidentally, Oklahoma's 28–21 loss to Notre Dame to open the 1953 season was the last loss before the beginning of the streak.{{cite web|url=http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history.do?action=Article&id=57496|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090226083014/http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history.do?action=Article&id=57496|url-status=dead|archive-date=February 26, 2009|title=This Day in History 1957: Notre Dame ends Oklahoma record winning streak|website=history.com|access-date=April 20, 2008}}
• Notre Dame has had 13 undefeated seasons and 11 others with at most one loss or tie.
• Notre Dame is 3–3–1 in games where the national title winners from the previous two years have met in a regular season game. There have only been 13 of these games played in college football history. Notre Dame has played in 7 of the 13 games:
• 1945 – Army def. Notre Dame 48–0
• 1947 – Notre Dame def. Army 27–7
• 1968 – Notre Dame tied USC 21–21
• 1974 – USC def. Notre Dame 55–24
• 1978 – Notre Dame def. Pitt 26–17
• 1989 – Miami def. Notre Dame 27–10
• 1990 – Notre Dame def. Miami 29–20
• Notre Dame is one of only two Catholic universities that field a team in the Football Bowl Subdivision, the other being Boston College. This distinction has resulted in what some have termed the Holy War rivalry.

Notre Dame has participated in eleven "No. 1 vs No. 2" matchups since the AP poll began in 1936.{{cite web |url=http://www.vegasinsider.com/college-football/story.cfm/story/521675|title=No. 1 vs. No. 2 |access-date=April 21, 2008}} They have a record of 5–3–2 in such games, with a 4–1–1 record as the No. 1 team in such matchups. Here's a list of such games:

Notre Dame has played in many regular season games that have been widely regarded by both the media{{cite web |author1=Pete Fiutak |author2=Richard Cirminiello |author3=John Harris |author4=Matthew Zemek |url=http://cfn.scout.com/2/561908.html |title=CFN's Tuesday Question – The All-Time Greatest Regular Season Games |work=sportingnews.com |publisher=scout.com |date=August 28, 2006 |access-date=April 20, 2008 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080821191445/http://cfn.scout.com/2/561908.html |archive-date=August 21, 2008 |df=mdy-all }} and sports historians{{cite book |last= Walters |first= John |title = Notre Dame Golden Moments |publisher= Rutledge Hill Press |date= July 21, 2004 | isbn = 1-59186-042-3 }} as historic or famous games. Notre Dame has played in many games labeled "Game of the Century" as well as several No. 1 vs No. 2 matchups.[http://www.kiko13.com/cflrankings/aponevstwo.htm Games Where #1 Faced #2] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080828203249/http://kiko13.com/cflrankings/aponevstwo.htm |date=August 28, 2008 }} (kiko13.com)

• 1913 Notre Dame vs. Army ("The Forward Pass"){{cite news|last=Unknown |first=Unknown |url=https://query.nytimes.com/gst/abstract.html?res=9800E6D7133FE633A25750C0A9679D946296D6CF|title=Teams Showing More Open Play – Notre Dame's Game Proves Great Possibilities of the Forward Pass|work=The New York Times|date=November 3, 1913|access-date=October 15, 2008}}
• 1935 Notre Dame vs. Ohio State ("Game of the Century"){{cite web|last=Helwagen |first=Steve |url=http://www.scout.com/college/ohio-state/story/477011-osu-nd-1935-the-game-of-the-century|title=OSU-ND 1935: "The Game of the Century"|website=scout.com|date=December 11, 2005|access-date=April 20, 2008}}{{cite web|last=Gietschier |first=Steve |url=http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1G1-17467019.html |title=Awakening the echoes. (Notre Dame-Ohio State football) |work=sportingnews.com |publisher=encyclopedia.com |date=September 25, 1995 |access-date=April 20, 2008 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090112164133/http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1G1-17467019.html |archive-date=January 12, 2009 }}
• 1946 Army vs. Notre Dame ("Game of the Century"){{cite book |last=Whittingham |first=Richard |title=Rites of autumn: the story of college football |year= 2001 |publisher=The Free Press |location=New York |isbn=0-7432-2219-9 |pages=148–183 |chapter=6 |quote=It was surely the game of the year, and many have said it was the college football game of the century }}
• 1957 Notre Dame vs. Oklahoma (end of Oklahoma's NCAA record 47 game win streak){{cite news|url= https://www.nytimes.com/packages/html/sports/year_in_sports/11.16.html

|title=The New York Times: This Day in Sports: Irish Spoil the Sooner's Party.|newspaper=nytimes.com|access-date=April 21, 2008}}

• 1966 Notre Dame vs. Michigan St. ("Game of the Century"){{cite book | author = Mike Celzic | title = The Biggest Game of Them All: Notre Dame, Michigan State and the Fall of 1966 | year = 1992 | publisher = Simon & Schuster | isbn = 0-671-75817-9 | url-access = registration | url = https://archive.org/details/biggestgameofthe0000celi }}{{cite book|author1=Bob Boyles |author2=Paul Guido |name-list-style=amp | title = Fifty Years of College Football |publisher= Sideline Communications |date= September 1, 2005 | isbn = 0-9755684-0-X }}
• 1988 Notre Dame vs. Miami ("Catholics vs. Convicts"){{cite news |last=Burns |first=Marty |url=http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2007/writers/best_game/06/11/burns.best/index.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070811010512/http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2007/writers/best_game/06/11/burns.best/index.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=August 11, 2007 |title=Catholics vs. Convicts The Irish pulled out a gritty win over a bitter foe |publisher=si.com |access-date=April 20, 2008 |date=July 17, 2007 |df=mdy-all }}{{cite news|url=http://usatoday30.usatoday.com/sports/college/football/2002-11-19-memorable-moments_x.htm|title=College football's best of the last 20 years|publisher=usatoday.com|date= November 19, 2002|access-date=April 20, 2008}}
• 1993 Florida St. vs. Notre Dame ("Game of the Century"){{cite web|author1=Mike Duffy|author2=Andrew Heitner|name-list-style=amp|url=http://tech.mit.edu/V113/N59/argue.59s.html|title=Irish win game of the century|work=The Tech (MIT Newspaper)|publisher=mit.edu|date=November 19, 1993|access-date=April 20, 2008|archive-date=March 30, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120330162929/http://tech.mit.edu/V113/N59/argue.59s.html|url-status=dead}}
• 2005 USC vs. Notre Dame ("Bush Push" game)
• 2007 Navy vs. Notre Dame (Navy ends 43-year losing streak to Notre Dame, the longest in NCAA history between annual opponents){{cite web | url=http://www.espn.com/ncf/recap?gameId=273070087 | title=Notre Dame's NCAA-record 43-game win streak over Navy ends |publisher=ESPN | date=November 3, 2007 | access-date=November 3, 2007| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20071105124734/http://sports.espn.go.com/ncf/recap?gameId=273070087| archive-date= November 5, 2007 | url-status=dead}}

Notre Dame has also played in several bowl games considered by many sportswriters to be among the best bowl games played:{{cite web |author1=Pete Fiutak |author2=Richard Cirminiello |author3=John Harris |author4=Matthew Zemek |url=http://cfn.scout.com/2/564658.html |title=Tuesday Question ... The Ten Greatest Bowl Games of All-Time. |work=sportingnews.com |publisher=scout.com |date=September 5, 2006 |access-date=April 20, 2008 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061211140723/http://cfn.scout.com/2/564658.html |archive-date=December 11, 2006 |df=mdy-all }}{{cite web|url= https://www.espn.com/page2/s/list/bestbowls.html |title= The List: Greatest bowl games.|work=ESPN |access-date=April 20, 2008}}

• 1970 Cotton Bowl Classic vs. Texas
• 1973 Sugar Bowl vs. Alabama
• 1979 Cotton Bowl Classic vs. Houston ("Chicken Soup Game")

{{unreferenced section|date=November 2019}}

{{main|Notre Dame Fighting Irish football seasons}}

Notre Dame's all-time record after the 2023 season stands at 948 wins, 338 losses, and 42 ties.

† George O'Leary did not coach a single practice or game, resigning five days after being hired for misrepresenting his academic credentials.
‡ Kent Baer served as interim head coach for one game at the 2004 Insight Bowl after Tyrone Willingham was fired.

Notre Dame has made 44 bowl game appearances, winning 23 and losing 21, with one game vacated.{{Cite web|url=https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/schools/notre-dame/|title=Notre Dame Fighting Irish Bowls|website=College Football at Sports-Reference.com}} After an initial appearance in a postseason contest in the 1925 Rose Bowl, the Fighting Irish refused to participate in bowl games for more than four decades;{{cite magazine|last1= Jenkins|first1= Dan|year= 1969|title= Knute Rockne Would Have Agreed, Ara|magazine= Sports Illustrated|volume= 31|issue= 26|page= 26|publisher= Time-Life, Inc.|url= http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/vault/article/magazine/MAG1083174/index.htm|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20120326070443/http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/vault/article/magazine/MAG1083174/index.htm|url-status=dead|archive-date= March 26, 2012|access-date= June 14, 2012|df= mdy-all}} Sports Illustrated's Dan Jenkins speculated that Notre Dame might have gone to as many as twenty bowl games during the self-imposed forty-five-year hiatus. From 1994 to the 2006 football seasons, Notre Dame lost 9 consecutive bowl games, tied with Northwestern for the most in NCAA history. That streak ended with a 49–21 win over Hawaii in the 2008 Hawaii Bowl. In the process, Notre Dame scored its highest point total in postseason play. The record of 9 consecutive bowl losses was later tied by Northwestern in 2011, then that streak was snapped a year later. The Fighting Irish suffered in a multi-decade skid with an 0-8 record in BCS/Playoff games and an 0-10 record in major bowl games between 1994 and 2025. The losing streak would come to an end when Notre Dame beat Georgia in the 2025 Sugar Bowl.

Between 2009 and 2016, and resuming again in 2018, Notre Dame has hosted an annual off-site home football game known as the Shamrock Series. The series promotes Notre Dame's athletic and academic brand, and has brought the Fighting Irish to San Antonio, New York, Greater Washington, D.C., Chicago, Indianapolis, Boston and the Dallas–Fort Worth metroplex. Each game in the series also features a unique alternate uniform for the Notre Dame team. Notre Dame has yet to lose a game in the Shamrock Series with a record of 11-0 (including the later-vacated win over Arizona State in the 2013 season).

Prior to the 2012 season, Notre Dame Athletic Director Jack Swarbrick announced at a news conference of plans to continue the series through 2016. He confirmed after his news conference that New York is expected to fall in that rotation and then continue to be the one consistently repeating venue for Shamrock Series games. While the Shamrock Series was not held in 2017 or 2023, Notre Dame still featured a unique alternate uniform at one game each of those years, both times against Navy (at Notre Dame in 2017 and in Dublin, Ireland in 2023).{{cite web |url=https://fightingirish.com/first-look-notre-dame-football-reveals-rockne-heritage-uniform/ |title=First Look: Notre Dame Football reveals Rockne Heritage Uniform |publisher=Notre Dame Fighting Irish |date=August 18, 2017 |access-date=January 13, 2025}}{{cite web |url=https://www.uniswag.com/blog/notre-dame-and-navy-unveil-alternate-uniforms-for-2023-ireland-opener |title=Notre Dame and Navy Unveil Alternate Uniforms for 2023 Ireland Opener |website=uniswag.com |date=August 23, 2023 |access-date=January 13, 2025}}

One of the unique aspects of the Shamrock Series is its inclusion of academic and other non-football activities in the area of that year's host city the days and hours leading up to the game, which include pep rallies, drummers' circles, and academic lectures.{{cite web|url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/sports/ct-xpm-2012-08-16-chi-with-chicago-next-notre-dame-shamrock-series-games-here-to-stay-20120816-story.html|title=With Chicago next, Notre Dame 'Shamrock Series' games here to stay|work=Chicago Tribune|date=August 16, 2012 |access-date=September 6, 2015}}{{cite web|url=http://www.ndsmcobserver.com/viewpoint/reevaluate-the-shamrock-series-1.2920173|title=Reevaluate the Shamrock Series |work=The Observer |publisher=University of Notre Dame and Saint Mary's College |date=October 7, 2012|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121007005303/http://www.ndsmcobserver.com/viewpoint/reevaluate-the-shamrock-series-1.2920173|archive-date=October 7, 2012|df=mdy-all}}{{cite web|url=https://247sports.com/college/notre-dame/article/notre-dames-shamrock-series-adds-flavor-to-neutral-site-games-76108/|title=Notre Dame's Shamrock Series adds flavor to neutral-site games |work=Irish247|access-date=September 6, 2015}}

The Shamrock Series held in Las Vegas in 2022 was the largest crowd for a college athletic event in Nevada history.{{cite web |agency=Associated Press |title=Notre Dame takes down No. 16 BYU 28-20 in Las Vegas |url=https://www.espn.com/college-football/recap/_/gameId/401404127 |website=ESPN |access-date=28 April 2023}}

{{CFB schedule

| rankyear = 2011

| poll = AP

| timezone = Eastern

|{{CFB schedule entry

| date = October 31, 2009

| time = 7:30 p.m.

| w/l = w

| neutral = y

| rank = 25

| opponent = Washington State

| site_stadium = Alamodome

| site_cityst = San Antonio, TX

| tv = NBC

| score = 40–14

| attend = 53,407

}}

|{{CFB schedule entry

| date = November 20, 2010

| time = 7:00 p.m.

| w/l = w

| neutral = y

| opponent = Army

| site_stadium = Yankee Stadium

| site_cityst = Bronx, NY

| tv = NBC

| score = 27–3

| attend = 54,251

}}

|{{CFB schedule entry

| date = November 12, 2011

| time = 7:30 p.m.

| w/l = w

| neutral = y

| opponent = Maryland

| site_stadium = FedExField

| site_cityst = Landover, MD

| tv = NBC

| score = 45–21

| attend = 70,251

}}

|{{CFB schedule entry

| date = October 6, 2012

| time = 7:30 p.m.

| w/l = w

| neutral = y

| rank = 10

| opponent = Miami (FL)

| site_stadium = Soldier Field

| site_cityst = Chicago, IL

| tv = NBC

| score = 41–3

| attend = 62,871

}}

|{{CFB schedule entry

| date = October 5, 2013

| time = 7:30 p.m.

| w/l = v

| neutral = y

| opponent = Arizona State

| opprank = 22

| site_stadium = AT&T Stadium

| site_cityst = Arlington, TX

| tv = NBC

| score = 37–34

| attend = 66,690

}}

|{{CFB schedule entry

| date = September 13, 2014

| time = 7:30 p.m.

| w/l = w

| neutral = y

| rank = 11

| opponent = Purdue

| site_stadium = Lucas Oil Stadium

| site_cityst = Indianapolis, IN

| tv = NBC

| score = 30–14

| attend = 56,832

}}

|{{CFB schedule entry

| date = November 21, 2015

| time = 7:30 p.m.

| w/l = w

| neutral = y

| rank = 5

| opponent = Boston College

| site_stadium = Fenway Park

| site_cityst = Boston, MA

| tv = NBCSN

| score = 19–16

| attend = 38,686

}}

|{{CFB schedule entry

| date = November 12, 2016

| time = 3:30 p.m.

| w/l = w

| neutral = y

| opponent = Army

| site_stadium = Alamodome

| site_cityst = San Antonio, TX

| tv = NBC

| score = 44–6

| attend = 45,762

}}

|{{CFB schedule entry

| date = November 17, 2018

| time = 2:30 p.m.

| w/l = w

| neutral = y

| rank = 3

| opponent = Syracuse

| opprank = 12

| site_stadium = Yankee Stadium

| site_cityst = Bronx, NY

| tv = NBC

| score = 36–3

| attend = 48,104

}}

|{{CFB schedule entry

| date = October 3, 2020

| time = 7:30 p.m.

| w/l = No contest

| neutral = y

| opponent = Wisconsin

| site_stadium = Lambeau Field

| site_cityst = Green Bay, WI

| tv = NBC

}}

|{{CFB schedule entry

| date = September 25, 2021

| time = 12:00 p.m.

| w/l = w

| neutral = y

| rank = 12

| opponent = Wisconsin

| opprank = 18

| site_stadium = Soldier Field

| site_cityst = Chicago, IL

| tv = Fox

| score = 41–13

| attend = 59,571

}}

|{{CFB schedule entry

| date = October 8, 2022

| time = 7:30 p.m.

| w/l = w

| neutral = y

| opponent = BYU

| opprank = 16

| ref = {{cite web |last1=Hansen |first1=Eric |title=Notre Dame makes official its 2022 Shamrock Series matchup with BYU |url=https://www.ndinsider.com/story/sports/football/2021/09/28/notre-dame-makes-official-its-2022-shamrock-series-matchup-byu/5903255001/ |website=ndinsider.com |access-date=28 September 2021}}

| site_stadium = Allegiant Stadium

| site_cityst = Paradise, NV

| tv = NBC

| score = 28–20

| attend = 62,742

}}

|{{CFB schedule entry

| date = November 23, 2024

| time = 7:00 p.m.

| w/l = w

| neutral = y

| rank = 6

| opponent = Army

| opprank = 19

| site_stadium = Yankee Stadium

| site_cityst = Bronx, NY

| tv = NBC

| score = 49–14

| attend = 47,342

}}

|{{CFB schedule entry

| date = September 5, 2026

| time =

| w/l =

| neutral = y

| rank =

| opponent = Wisconsin

| opprank =

| site_stadium = Lambeau Field

| site_cityst = Green Bay, WI

| tv =

| score =

| attend =

}}

}}

{{see also|Notre Dame starting quarterbacks|List of University of Notre Dame athletes#American football|label 2=Fighting Irish football players|Notre Dame Fighting Irish football statistical leaders}}

{{see also|Heisman Trophy}}

Seven Notre Dame football players have won the Heisman Trophy, which ties them with the University of Oklahoma for the second most by any university. (Ohio State also has seven trophies that were won by only six players, while USC has the most winners with eight).

Heisman voting:{{cite web |url=http://und.cstv.com/sports/m-footbl/archive/nd-m-footbl-archive.html/ |title=NOTRE DAME FIGHTING IRISH - Football |access-date=December 30, 2009 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081217101247/http://und.cstv.com/sports/m-footbl/archive/nd-m-footbl-archive.html |archive-date=December 17, 2008 |df=mdy }}

{{colbegin}}

• 1938 – Whitney Beinor, 9th
• 1943 – Angelo Bertelli, 1st, Creighton Miller, 4th, Jim White, 9th
• 1944 – Bob Kelly, 6th
• 1945 – Frank Dancewicz, 6th
• 1946 - Johnny Lujack, 3rd
• 1947 – Johnny Lujack, 1st
• 1949 – Leon Hart, 1st, Bob Williams, 5th, Emil Sitko, 8th
• 1950 – Bob Williams, 6th
• 1953 – Johnny Lattner, 1st
• 1954 – Ralph Guglielmi, 4th
• 1956 – Paul Hornung, 1st
• 1958 – Nick Pietrosante, 10th
• 1959 – Monty Stickles, 9th
• 1964 – John Huarte, 1st, Jack Snow, 5th
• 1965 – Bill Wolski, 11th
• 1966 – Nick Eddy, 3rd, Terry Hanratty, 6th
• 1967 – Terry Hanratty, 9th
• 1968 – Terry Hanratty, 3rd
• 1969 – Mike McCoy, 6th
• 1970 – Joe Theismann, 2nd
• 1971 – Walt Patulski, 9th
• 1974 – Tom Clements, 4th
• 1975 – Steve Niehaus, 12th
• 1977 – Ken MacAfee, 3rd, Ross Browner, 5th
• 1979 – Vagas Ferguson, 5th
• 1983 – Allen Pinkett, 16th
• 1985 – Allen Pinkett, 8th
• 1987 – Tim Brown, 1st
• 1989 – Tony Rice, 4th, Raghib Ismail, tie 10th
• 1990 – Raghib Ismail, 2nd
• 1992 – Reggie Brooks, 5th
• 2005 – Brady Quinn, 4th
• 2006 – Brady Quinn, 3rd
• 2009 – Golden Tate, 10th{{cite web|url=http://blog.al.com/tide-source/2009/12/heisman_trophy_vote_totals.html |title=2009 Heisman Trophy vote totals |date=December 13, 2009 |publisher=Al.com|access-date=December 13, 2009 }}
• 2012 – Manti Te'o, 2nd
• 2020 – Ian Book, 9th{{cite web|url=https://fightingirishwire.usatoday.com/2020/12/26/ian-book-finishes-in-top-10-of-heisman-voting/ |title=Ian Book finishes in top 10 of Heisman voting |publisher=usatoday.com |access-date=January 8, 2020 }}

{{colend}}

{{col-begin}}

{{col-2}}

• Maxwell Award

:Leon Hart – 1949{{cite web |url=http://www.maxwellfootballclub.org/content/awards/maxwell/past_maxwell.htm |title=The Maxwell Award Collegiate Player of the Year: Past Recipients |publisher=The Maxwell Football Club |access-date=January 2, 2008 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090214100520/http://www.maxwellfootballclub.org/content/awards/maxwell/past_maxwell.htm |archive-date=February 14, 2009 |df=mdy }}

:Johnny Lattner – 1952, 1953

:Jim Lynch – 1966

:Ross Browner – 1977

:Brady Quinn – 2006{{cite web |url=http://www.maxwellfootballclub.org/content/awards/maxwell/2006/bio_quinn.htm |title=The Maxwell Award College Player of the Year: Brady Quinn, University of Notre Dame |publisher=The Maxwell Football Club |access-date=January 2, 2008 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070622001822/http://www.maxwellfootballclub.org/content/awards/maxwell/2006/bio_quinn.htm |archive-date=June 22, 2007 |df=mdy }}

:Manti Te'o – 2012

• Walter Camp Award

:Ken MacAfee – 1977{{cite web |url=http://waltercamp.org/index.php/teams_and_awards/awards/P200/ |title=Walter Camp Football Foundation Awards (Page 3) |publisher=The Walter Camp Foundation |access-date=January 2, 2008 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080905204119/http://waltercamp.org/index.php/teams_and_awards/awards/P200 |archive-date=September 5, 2008 |df=mdy }}

:Tim Brown – 1987{{cite web|url=http://waltercamp.org/index.php/teams_and_awards/awards/P100/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080609021344/http://waltercamp.org/index.php/teams_and_awards/awards/P100/|url-status=dead|archive-date=June 9, 2008|title=Walter Camp Football Foundation Awards (Page 2)|publisher=The Walter Camp Football Foundation, Inc.|access-date=January 2, 2008|df=mdy-all}}

:Raghib Ismail – 1990

:Manti Te'o – 2012

• Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award

:Tony Rice – 1989{{cite web|url=http://www.goldenarmfoundation.com/past-winners.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071216032405/http://www.goldenarmfoundation.com/past-winners.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=December 16, 2007|title=Past Winners|publisher=The Golden Arm Foundation|access-date=January 2, 2008|df=mdy-all}}

:Brady Quinn – 2006

• Sammy Baugh Trophy

:Terry Hanratty – 1967{{cite web|url=http://www.touchdownclubofcolumbus.com/Awards.htm#SAMMY |title=Sammy Baugh Trophy Recipients |publisher=Touchdown Club of Columbus |access-date=January 2, 2008 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://archive.today/20071016133736/http://touchdownclubofcolumbus.com/Awards.htm |archive-date=October 16, 2007 |df=mdy }}

:Brady Quinn – 2005

• Biletnikoff Award

:Golden Tate – 2009{{cite news|url=http://www.und.com/sports/m-footbl/spec-rel/121009aao.html|title=Golden Tate Wins Biletnikoff Award, Named Walter Camp First Team All-American|date=December 10, 2009|publisher=University of Notre Dame|access-date=December 10, 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100207043319/http://www.und.com/sports/m-footbl/spec-rel/121009aao.html|archive-date=February 7, 2010|url-status=dead}}

• John Mackey Award

:Tyler Eifert – 2012{{cite news|url=http://www.johnmackeyaward.org|title=Tyler Eifert of Notre Dame Named 2012 John Mackey Award Recipient|publisher=johnmackeyaward.org|access-date=December 5, 2012}}

• Dick Butkus Award

:Manti Te'o – 2012{{cite news|url=http://www.thebutkusaward.com/thebutkusawards/watchlist/pastwinners.aspx|title=Butkus Award Past Winners|date=December 3, 2012|publisher=thebutkusaward.com|access-date=December 3, 2012|archive-date=December 27, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121227115147/http://www.thebutkusaward.com/thebutkusawards/watchlist/pastwinners.aspx|url-status=dead}}{{cite news|url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/news/ct-xpm-2012-12-03-chi-notre-dame-football-manti-teo-wins-butkus-award-20121203-story.html|title=Notre Dame's Te'o wins Butkus Award |date=December 3, 2012|publisher= Chicago Tribune|access-date= December 3, 2012}}

:Jaylon Smith – 2015{{cite news|url=http://www.thebutkusaward.com/thebutkusawards/watchlist/pastwinners.aspx|title=Butkus Award Past Winners|date=December 9, 2015|publisher=thebutkusaward.com|access-date=December 9, 2015|archive-date=December 27, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121227115147/http://www.thebutkusaward.com/thebutkusawards/watchlist/pastwinners.aspx|url-status=dead}}

:Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah – 2020{{cite news|url=http://www.thebutkusaward.com/watchlist/pastwinners.aspx|title=Butkus Award Past Winners|date=January 2, 2020|publisher=thebutkusaward.com|access-date=January 2, 2020|archive-date=January 5, 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090105170450/http://www.thebutkusaward.com/watchlist/pastwinners.aspx|url-status=dead}}

• Chuck Bednarik Award

:Manti Te'o – 2012

• Ozzie Newsome Award

:Tyler Eifert – 2011

{{col-2}}

• Lombardi Award

:Walt Patulski – 1971{{cite web|url=http://www.rotarylombardiaward.org/index.php?option=com_content&task=blogcategory&id=25&Itemid=59 |title=Winners & Finalists |publisher=Rotary Club of Houston |access-date=January 2, 2008 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090108234922/http://www.rotarylombardiaward.org/index.php?option=com_content&task=blogcategory&id=25&Itemid=59 |archive-date=January 8, 2009 |df=mdy }}

:Ross Browner – 1977

:Chris Zorich – 1990

:Aaron Taylor – 1993

:Manti Te'o – 2012

• Lott IMPACT Trophy

:Manti Te'o – 2012{{cite web|url=http://www.deseretnews.com/article/765617453/College-football-Notre-Dames-Manti-Teo-wins-Lott-Trophy.html|title=College football: Notre Dame's Manti Te'o wins Lott Trophy|date=December 9, 2012|work=DeseretNews.com|access-date=September 6, 2015|archive-date=September 24, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150924130220/http://www.deseretnews.com/article/765617453/College-football-Notre-Dames-Manti-Teo-wins-Lott-Trophy.html|url-status=dead}}

• Bronko Nagurski Trophy

:Manti Te'o – 2012{{cite news|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/sports/colleges/notre-dame-linebacker-manti-teo-wins-bronko-nagurski-award-for-nations-top-defensive-player/2012/12/03/fa5bc3a4-3db6-11e2-8a5c-473797be602c_story.html|title=Notre Dame linebacker Manti Te'o wins Bronko Nagurski Award for nation's top defensive player|date=December 3, 2012|newspaper=The Washington Post|access-date=December 3, 2012|df=mdy-all}}{{dead link|date=July 2018|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}

:Xavier Watts – 2023

• Outland Trophy

:George Connor – 1946{{cite web|url=http://www.sportswriters.net/fwaa/awards/outland/winners.html|title=All-Time Outland Trophy Winners|publisher=Football Writers Association of America|access-date=January 2, 2008|archive-date=January 2, 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090102064106/http://www.sportswriters.net/fwaa/awards/outland/winners.html|url-status=dead}}

:Bill Fischer – 1948

:Ross Browner – 1976

• AT&T ESPN All-America Player

:Brady Quinn – 2006{{cite news|url=http://www.und.com/sports/m-footbl/spec-rel/010907aaa.html|title=Brady Quinn Selected as Cingular All-America Player of the Year|date=January 9, 2007|publisher=University of Notre Dame|access-date=January 2, 2008|archive-date=May 23, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120523181048/http://www.und.com/sports/m-footbl/spec-rel/010907aaa.html|url-status=dead}}

• The Jim Parker Trophy

:Aaron Taylor – 1993

• The Jack Tatum Trophy

:Bobby Taylor – 1994

• Chic Harley Award

:Paul Hornung – 1956

• The Kellen Moore Award

:Rick Mirer – 1992

• Polynesian Player of the Year Award

:Ronnie Stanley – 2015{{cite news|url=http://www.und.com/sports/m-footbl/spec-rel/120915aab.html|title=Ronnie Stanley Named 2015 Polynesian College Football Player of the Year|date=December 8, 2015|publisher=University of Notre Dame|access-date=December 16, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160109175056/http://www.und.com/sports/m-footbl/spec-rel/120915aab.html|archive-date=January 9, 2016|url-status=dead}}

• Wuerffel Trophy

:Drue Tranquill – 2018{{cite web|url=https://www.wuerffeltrophy.org/wuerffel-trophy-winners|title=Wuerffel Trophy Winners|access-date=December 4, 2018|archive-date=December 5, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181205103354/https://www.wuerffeltrophy.org/wuerffel-trophy-winners|url-status=dead}}

{{col-end}}

{{col-begin}}

{{col-2}}

• Paul "Bear" Bryant Award

:Ara Parseghian – 1964{{cite web|url=http://www.americanheart.org/downloadable/heart/11950567165420708%20BB%20Previous%20Winners.pdf|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071202183725/http://www.americanheart.org/downloadable/heart/11950567165420708%20BB%20Previous%20Winners.pdf|url-status=dead|archive-date=December 2, 2007|access-date=November 21, 2007|publisher=The American Heart Association|title=Paul "Bear" Bryant College Football Coaching Awards}}

:Lou Holtz – 1988

• Eddie Robinson Coach of the Year Award

:Ara Parseghian – 1964{{cite web|url=http://www.sportswriters.net/fwaa/awards/robinson/index.html|title=Eddie Robinson Coach of the Year Award|publisher=Football Writers Association of America|access-date=January 2, 2008|archive-date=January 9, 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080109112742/http://www.sportswriters.net/fwaa/awards/robinson/index.html|url-status=dead}}

:Lou Holtz – 1988

:Charlie Weis – 2005

:Brian Kelly – 2012{{cite web|url=https://www.espn.com/college-football/story/_/id/8745065/notre-dame-brian-kelly-wins-eddie-robinson-award|title=Notre Dame's Brian Kelly wins Eddie Robinson Award|work=ESPN.com|date=December 13, 2012|access-date=September 6, 2015}}

• Home Depot Coach of the Year Award

:Tyrone Willingham – 2002{{cite news|url=http://www.und.com/sports/m-footbl/spec-rel/120902aab.html|title=Tyrone Willingham Named Home Depot National Coach of the Year|publisher=UND.cstv.com|date=December 9, 2002|access-date=January 2, 2008|archive-date=February 12, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120212224307/http://www.und.com/sports/m-footbl/spec-rel/120902aab.html|url-status=dead}}

:Brian Kelly – 2012, 2018{{cite news|title= Kelly named coach of the year|author= Ralph D. Russo|url= http://collegefootball.ap.org/article/notre-dames-kelly-wins-ap-coach-year-0|newspaper= Fort Wayne Journal-Gazette|date= December 5, 2012|access-date= December 5, 2012|archive-date= May 15, 2013|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20130515135415/http://collegefootball.ap.org/article/notre-dames-kelly-wins-ap-coach-year-0|url-status= dead}}

• Walter Camp Coach of the Year Award

:Brian Kelly – 2012{{cite news|title=Brian Kelly named Walter Camp Coach of the Year |author=Krausz, Tony |url=http://www.journalgazette.net/article/20121205/BLOGS02/121209759 |agency=Associated Press |date=December 19, 2012 |access-date=December 19, 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131214132804/http://www.journalgazette.net/article/20121205/BLOGS02/121209759 |archive-date=December 14, 2013 |df=mdy }}

• Liberty Mutual Coach of the Year Award

:Brian Kelly – 2012{{cite web|url=http://coachoftheyear.com/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20020110230007/http://www.coachoftheyear.com/|url-status=dead|archive-date=January 10, 2002|title=Coach of the Year|work=coachoftheyear.com|access-date=September 6, 2015|df=mdy-all}}

{{col-2}}

• Associated Press Coach of the Year Award

:Brian Kelly – 2012{{cite news |title= Notre Dame's Kelly wins AP coach of the year |author= Brady, James|url= http://chicago.sbnation.com/2013/1/3/3832052/brian-kelly-walter-camp-coach-of-the-year|publisher = SB Nation|date= January 3, 2013|access-date= January 5, 2013}}

• Sporting News Coach of the Year

:Ara Parseghian – 1966

:Lou Holtz – 1988

:Brian Kelly – 2012

• George Munger Award

:Tyrone Willingham – 2002

:Marcus Freeman – 2024{{cite web |url=https://247sports.com/college/notre-dame/article/notre-dames-marcus-freeman-wins-george-munger-college-coach-of-the-year-award-243751930// |title=Notre Dame's Marcus Freeman Wins George Munger College Coach of the Year Award |website=247sports.com |last=Mentock |first=Drew |date=January 8, 2025 |access-date=January 13, 2025}}

• The Woody Hayes Trophy

:Lou Holtz – 1988

• Broyles Award

:Bob Diaco – 2012{{cite news|url=http://www.und.com/sports/m-footbl/spec-rel/120412aaf.html|title=Bob Diaco Captures Broyles Award As Nation's Top Assistant Coach|publisher=UND.cstv.com|date=December 4, 2012|access-date=December 4, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150123215916/http://www.und.com/sports/m-footbl/spec-rel/120412aaf.html|archive-date=January 23, 2015|url-status=dead}}

:Al Golden – 2024

{{col-end}}

• Grantland Rice Trophy

:Notre Dame Fighting Irish – 1966, 1973, 1977, 1988

• Joe Moore Award

:Notre Dame Fighting Irish – 2017

{{see also|College Football Hall of Fame}}

50 former Notre Dame players and 6 coaches have been inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame, located in Atlanta, Georgia.{{cite web|url=https://footballfoundation.org/hof_search.aspx|title=Hall of Famers: Select 'Group by School'|access-date=December 17, 2007}} Notre Dame leads all universities in players inducted.

File:Notre Dame vs. Stanford (2006).jpg

Notre Dame's home jersey is navy blue with white numerals, gold outlining, and a small interlocking "ND" logo on each sleeve. The away jersey is white with navy numerals, gold outlining, and the interlocking "ND" on the sleeves. These uniforms were introduced by Lou Holtz in 1986 and retained during the tenures of Bob Davie (1997-2001) and Tyrone Willingham (2002–04). In 2005, Charlie Weis removed the interlocking "ND" from the sleeves, replacing it with the player's number, the first time the Irish had worn "TV numbers" since 1986, when they were located on the shoulders. These jerseys remained throughout Weis' tenure. When Brian Kelly succeeded Weis in 2010, the interlocking "ND" returned to the sleeves, and it has remained since.

The Irish traditionally have not worn player names on their jerseys during regular season games, but they were included during the coaching tenures of Dan Devine (1975–80) and Gerry Faust (1981-85). When Notre Dame appeared in the 1970 Cotton Bowl Classic, its first bowl game in 45 years, Ara Parseghian had player names placed on the backs of the jerseys, a tradition which was retained for four other bowl appearances under Parseghian. Holtz, Davie, Willingham and Weis (in the 2006 Fiesta Bowl and 2007 Sugar Bowl) did not adhere to this tradition for bowl games they coached, but it returned under Weis for the 2008 Hawaii Bowl and has been continued by Kelly and Marcus Freeman.

File:Maillots ND déplacement.jpg

Notre Dame's helmets are solid gold with gray facemasks, the gold being emblematic of the University's famed "Golden Dome". Notre Dame's tradition for the team's student managers to spray-paint the team's helmets prior to each game ended in 2011 when the football equipment staff, along with Notre Dame Athletics Director Jack Swarbrick and head coach Brian Kelly outsourced the painting process to Hydro Graphics Inc.

During Gerry Faust's tenure (1981–85), Notre Dame's blue jerseys switched from the traditional navy (although Notre Dame wore green jerseys full-time between the 1977 game vs. USC and the end of the 1980 season) to royal blue with gold and white stripes on the sleeves (they also wore a green jersey with sleeve stripes for the 1983 game vs. USC). The navy blue jerseys returned for the 1984 season (the Irish wore a redesigned white jersey during the 1983 Liberty Bowl without sleeve stripes and navy blue names and numbers which was carried over to 1984).

No uniform numbers have been retired by Notre Dame. Upon being issued a number, each player is given a card that lists some of the more famous players who have worn that particular number. Number 3 is perhaps the most famous number in Irish football history, having been worn by Ralph Guglielmi, George Izo, Daryle Lamonica, Coley O'Brien, Joe Montana, Michael Floyd, Rick Mirer and Ron Powlus, among others.{{cite web |title=ND Archives: All-Time Roster |url=http://www.und.com/auto_pdf/p_hotos/s_chools/nd/sports/m-footbl/auto_pdf/FBRecSuppAll-TimeRoster |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120509194759/http://www.und.com/auto_pdf/p_hotos/s_chools/nd/sports/m-footbl/auto_pdf/FBRecSuppAll-TimeRoster |archive-date=May 9, 2012 |access-date=May 6, 2008 |publisher=und.cstv.com}} Number 5 is also notable, as it is the only number to be worn by one of the Four Horsemen (Elmer Layden) a Heisman Trophy Winner (Paul Hornung) and a National Title winning Quarterback (Terry Hanratty). Number 7 has been worn by such Irish greats as 1964 Heisman Trophy winner John Huarte, 1970 Heisman runner-up Joe Theismann, Steve Beuerlein, Jimmy Clausen and Jarious Jackson.

In 2011, both Michigan and Notre Dame wore throwback uniforms in their game against each other. For each Shamrock Series game, Notre Dame wears specially-designed helmets, jerseys, and pants.

Champion supplied football jerseys for Notre Dame for over 50 years until the Irish switched to Adidas in 2001. On July 1, 2014, the Notre Dame athletic department began wearing uniforms and footwear supplied by Under Armour.

Over the years, Notre Dame has occasionally worn green instead of blue as its home jersey, sometimes adopting the jersey for an entire season – or more – at a time. Notre Dame is confirmed to have worn green as far back as 1926 against Penn State, and in 1942 they officially became an alternate color for the team.{{Cite web |title=Notre Dame wears green to continue a proud uniform tradition vs. Ohio State |url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/ncaaf/2023/09/23/iconic-green-jerseys-a-part-of-notre-dame-history/70926002007/ |access-date=2023-09-23 |website=USA TODAY |language=en-US}}

Currently, Notre Dame reserves its green jerseys for special occasions. Sometimes on such occasions, the Irish will take the field for warmups dressed in blue, only to switch to green when they go back to the locker room before kickoff. This tradition was started by Dan Devine in 1977 before the USC game. Notre Dame has also been known to switch jerseys at halftime, as during the 1985 USC game and in the loss to Nile Kinnick-led Iowa in 1939, although this was to help avoid confusion between their navy uniforms and Iowa's black ones. The current design of the jersey is kelly green with gold numbers and white outlining. For the 2006 Army game, Coach Charlie Weis broke out the green jerseys as a reward to his senior players and in an attempt to end the string of losses by the Irish when wearing green. Notre Dame wore throwback green jerseys in 2007 against USC in honor of the 30th anniversary of the 1977 National Championship team but lost the game 38-0.{{cite web|url=http://www.und.com/sports/m-footbl/spec-rel/061107aab.html|title=Notre Dame Football Team to Wear Throwback Uniforms Against USC|work=cstv.com|access-date=September 6, 2015|archive-date=January 9, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160109175057/http://www.und.com/sports/m-footbl/spec-rel/061107aab.html|url-status=dead}} As of 2023, Notre Dame's record in green is 42-15-1, going back to 1975.

On at least one occasion (1992 Sugar Bowl) Notre Dame has worn an away variant of the jersey, a white jersey with green numbers.

File:Notredamestadiumgamedayband.jpg

{{main| Notre Dame Stadium}}

Notre Dame Stadium is the home football stadium for the University of Notre Dame Fighting Irish football team. Located on the southeast part of the university's campus in Notre Dame, Indiana and with a seating capacity of 77,622, Notre Dame Stadium is one of the most renowned venues in college football.{{cite web|title=Notre Dame Stadium|url=http://www.und.com/facilities/notre-dame-stadium.html|publisher=Notre Dame Fighting Irish|access-date=November 24, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171130172136/http://www.und.com/facilities/notre-dame-stadium.html|archive-date=November 30, 2017|url-status=dead}} The Sporting News ranks Notre Dame Stadium as #2 on its list of "College Football Cathedrals".{{cite web|url=https://www.msnbc.com/modules/sports/collegefootballstadiums/Default.asp?cp1=1|title=Sporting News College Football Cathedrals|work=MSNBC|access-date=January 30, 2007 |archive-url = http://webarchive.loc.gov/all/20010912195116/http://msnbc.com/modules/sports/collegefootballstadiums/default.asp?cp1=1 |archive-date = September 12, 2001}} and the stadium experience evokes a more traditional feel. Notre Dame Stadium is used for football-related activities and for Commencement (since 2010). Notre Dame Stadium had no permanent lighting until the expansion project in 1997. NBC paid for the lighting as they have televised all Notre Dame home football games since 1991. On April 12, 2014, it was announced during the annual Blue-Gold Spring Game that a FieldTurf synthetic surface would replace the grass field after the 2014 Commencement Weekend. In November 2014 the University of Notre Dame embarked on a $400 million stadium expansion called the Crossroads Campus Project, which was completed in time for the 2017 season.

{{main| Cartier Field}}

Cartier Field was the original playing field of the Fighting Irish. In 1930, it was replaced by Notre Dame Stadium, due to the growing popularity of ND football.

Known by fans as "The Gug" (pronounced "goog"), The Guglielmino Athletics Complex is Notre Dame's football headquarters. The Gug houses the offices for all team staff members, an auditorium, a weight room, a training room, the equipment room, the practice locker room, a brand new napping room, and various other spaces for the football team to utilize. The complex was underwritten by Don F. Guglielmino and his family.

The indoor practice facility has a synthetic turf field and a video board at midfield for replay and graphics. On the second level of the facility, there is a 1,600-square-foot recruiting lounge. In all, the facility totals 111,400 square feet, and the ceiling is 95 feet at its peak.

{{main|Notre Dame Fighting Irish football rivalries}}

File:Jeweledshillelagh.jpg, awarded to the winner of the annual USC vs. Notre Dame game]]

Notre Dame has rivalries with several universities. Although the Fighting Irish competes as an Independent, they play a national schedule that includes annual or otherwise regularly scheduled rivalry games. Army, Boston College, Michigan, Michigan State, Navy, Northwestern, Pittsburgh, Purdue, Stanford, and USC are among Notre Dame's rivals.

{{See also|1988 Notre Dame vs. Miami football game|Catholics vs. Convicts (film)}}

Notre Dame and the Miami Hurricanes first met during the 1955 college football season.{{Cite web |title=Winsipedia - Miami (FL) Hurricanes vs. Notre Dame Fighting Irish football series history |url=http://www.winsipedia.com/miami-fl/vs/notre-dame |access-date=2022-05-20 |website=Winsipedia |language=en}} They met three times during the 1960s (1960, 1965, and 1967) and proceeded to play each other annually from 1971 to 1990 (except in 1986). Notre Dame consistently dominated the series in the 1970s, but in the 1980s, Miami began to dominate as the once docile rivalry intensified significantly. Both teams were national contenders in the later part of the decade, and both teams cost each other at least one national championship. Hostilities were fueled when the Hurricanes routed the Fighting Irish in the 1985 season finale 58–7, with Miami widely accused of running up the score in the second half. The rivalry gained national attention and both teams played their most famous games from 1988 to 1990. The game known as Catholics vs. Convicts in South Bend was won by the Fighting Irish 31–30. The following year, Miami ended Notre Dame's 23-game winning streak with a 27–10 victory. The rivalry ended after the Fighting Irish dashed #2 Miami's hopes for a repeat national championship with a 29–20 victory in South Bend. Notre Dame dropped Miami from its schedule due to the intensified rivalry.

The two teams are next scheduled to meet in the 2025 season opener at Hard Rock Stadium. They also will play each other in yet to be scheduled dates in the 2031, 2032, 2034, and 2037 seasons.[https://fbschedules.com/2025-miami-football-schedule/ FB Schedules 2025]

{{main|Michigan–Notre Dame football rivalry}}

The first meeting between Notre Dame and Michigan was in 1887, the first official football game in Notre Dame's history.{{cite web|url=http://125.nd.edu/moments/first-game-in-notre-dame-football-history/|title=First game in Notre Dame Football history // Moments // 125 Football // University of Notre Dame|first=ENR // MarComm:Web // University of Notre|last=Dame|website=125.nd.edu}} The two schools have met 44 times in total, the latest matchup in 2019. Through the 2021 season, the two schools are both in the top five in all-time Division I winning percentage, with Notre Dame fourth and Michigan third.

{{main|Michigan State–Notre Dame football rivalry}}

Meeting for the first time in 1897, Notre Dame and Michigan State play for the Megaphone Trophy. The two schools played in 64 out of 70 seasons from 1948 to 2017, but have not met since. Their next scheduled game is in 2026.{{cite web|first=Chris|last=Solari|url=http://www.freep.com/story/sports/college/michigan-state/spartans/2017/09/22/michigan-state-notre-dame-rivalry-history/691141001/|title=Michigan State-Notre Dame rivalry hits longest break in about 70 years|date=September 22, 2017|website=Detroit Free Press|access-date=January 16, 2022}} Notable games in the series include the 1966 "Game of the Century". Through the 2023 season, Notre Dame leads the all-time series 48–28–1 and the trophy series 33–27–1.{{cite web|url=http://www.winsipedia.com/michigan-state/vs/notre-dame|title=Winsipedia - Michigan State Spartans vs. Notre Dame Fighting Irish football series history|website=Winsipedia}}

{{main|Navy–Notre Dame football rivalry}}

Navy and Notre Dame played 93 games without interruption from 1927 to 2019. Notre Dame had a 43-game win streak during this time frame, the longest streak by one team over another in Division I-A football, which ended in 2007.{{cite web|title=Notre Dame's NCAA-record 43-game win streak over Navy ends|date=November 3, 2007|website=ESPN|url=https://www.espn.com/college-football/recap?gameId=273070087|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170111005630/http://www.espn.com/college-football/recap?gameId=273070087|url-status=dead|archive-date=January 11, 2017|access-date=January 16, 2022}} While the 2020 contest was cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the series resumed in 2021. Through the 2024 season, Notre Dame leads the series 83–13–1.{{cite web|url=http://www.winsipedia.com/navy/vs/notre-dame|title=Winsipedia - Navy Midshipmen vs. Notre Dame Fighting Irish football series history|website=Winsipedia}}

{{main|Notre Dame–USC football rivalry}}

USC is Notre Dame's primary rival, and the schools compete annually for the Jeweled Shillelagh. The rivalry has produced 39 national championships,{{cite book|url=http://fs.ncaa.org/Docs/stats/football_records/2021/FBS.pdf|title=2021 NCAA Football Bowl Subdivision Records| publisher=The National Collegiate Athletic Association|date=July 2021|location=Indianapolis|access-date=January 16, 2022}}{{rp|113–118}} 15 Heisman Trophy winners,{{cite web|url=https://www.heisman.com/heisman-winners/|title=Heisman Trophy Winners List|publisher=Heisman.com |access-date=January 16, 2022}} and 184 Consensus All-Americans through the 2021 season.{{cite web|url=http://www.winsipedia.com/ranking/all-americans|title=Winsipedia - Consensus All Americans|website=Winsipedia|access-date=January 16, 2022}} It is considered one of the most prominent rivalries in college football,{{cite web|first=Pete|last=Fiutak|title=The Ten Greatest College Football Rivalries|date=November 17, 2006|url=http://cfn.scout.com/2/591649.html|access-date=April 24, 2008|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070309013228/http://cfn.scout.com/2/591649.html|archive-date=March 9, 2007}}{{cite web|first=Dave|last=Revsine|title=Michigan, Ohio State set bar high for other rivalries|date=November 24, 2006|website=ESPN|url=https://www.espn.com/college-football/columns/story?columnist=revsine_dave&id=2674267|access-date=March 24, 2009}}{{cite web|first=Bill|last=Bender|title=CFB 150: Top 10 college football rivalries of all time|website=Sporting News|date=November 27, 2019|url=https://www.sportingnews.com/us/ncaa-football/news/cfb-150-top-10-college-football-rivalries-of-all-time/1fvt0z837wj011gca5zv7wi8lo|access-date=January 16, 2022}}{{cite web|first=Chris|last=Mueller|title=7 of the Fiercest Rivalries in College Football History|date=September 29, 2021|website=history.com|publisher=History Channel|url=https://www.history.com/news/biggest-college-football-rivalries-all-time|access-date=January 16, 2022}} and has been called the greatest rivalry not dictated by conference affiliation or geography.{{cite news |last=Walters |first=John |url=http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2005/writers/john_walters/10/12/inside.cfb/index.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060509113608/http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2005/writers/john_walters/10/12/inside.cfb/index.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=May 9, 2006 |title=Does it get any better than this? |work=si.com |date=October 13, 2005 |access-date=April 24, 2008 |df=mdy-all }} The teams have played each other annually since 1926, except from 1943 to 1945 and 2020. Notable games in the series include the 1977 "Green Jersey" game and the 2005 "Bush Push" game. Through the 2024 season, Notre Dame leads the all-time series 50–37–5 and the trophy series 35–30–3.{{cite web|url=http://www.winsipedia.com/notre-dame/vs/usc|title=Winsipedia - Notre Dame Fighting Irish vs. USC Trojans football series history|website=Winsipedia}}

{{see also|Band of the Fighting Irish}}

File:NDBandBondHall.png before a football game]]

Due to its long and storied history, Notre Dame football boasts many traditions unique to Notre Dame. Some of these are:

• The tradition of having 23.9 karat gold in the helmet paint continues, with the painting process provided by Hydro Graphics, Inc. and no longer by student managers. The gold particles that are used on the helmet were collected from the re-gilding on the Notre Dame dome in 2007. During the 2011 season, however, a new helmet paint scheme was introduced. While retaining the basic gold helmet and grey facemask look, the new gold is much more reflective than the old; there have already been several variations of this new "gold chrome" look, including brick and fish-scale texturing.
• Formerly, prior to the start of the game, the team attended Mass in semi-formal attire at the Sacred Heart Basilica. At the conclusion of Mass, fans formed a line that the team walked through from the chapel to the stadium.{{cite web |url= http://www.und.com/auto_pdf/p_hotos/s_chools/nd/sports/m-footbl/auto_pdf/07fbguideintro1 |title= 2007 Notre Dame Media Guide: Introduction Part I (Page 10 – Football Weekend at ND) |publisher= und.cstv.com |access-date= May 6, 2008 |archive-date= May 9, 2012 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20120509194808/http://www.und.com/auto_pdf/p_hotos/s_chools/nd/sports/m-footbl/auto_pdf/07fbguideintro1 |url-status= dead }} However, in 2011 the team changed its movements prior the game, instead taking buses back to The Gug for final meetings.{{Cite web|url=https://www.uhnd.com/traditions/irish-traditions-notre-dame-player-walk/|title=Irish Traditions: Notre Dame Player Walk|website=UHND.com - Notre Dame Football, Basketball, & Recruiting}} In 2013, Mass was moved to Friday night; as a result, the walk now originates from the Gug.{{Cite web|url=https://news.nd.edu/news/father-thesing-to-serve-as-football-team-chaplain/|title=Father Thesing to serve as Notre Dame football team chaplain|first=Marketing Communications: Web // University of Notre|last=Dame|website=Notre Dame News|date=August 22, 2013 }} In 2022, Coach Freeman announced that the tradition of Mass before home games would return.{{Cite web|url=https://247sports.com/college/notre-dame/Article/Marcus-Freeman-Resurrects-Game-Day-Mass-185657182/|title=Marcus Freeman Resurrects Game-Day Mass|first=Tim|last=Prister|website=Irish Illustrated}}

File:Notredamepostgamehelmetraise.jpg

• Earlier on game day, the Band of the Fighting Irish trumpet section plays Notre Dame, Our Mother & the Notre Dame victory march under the Golden Dome, with visitors standing at the bottom of the rotunda, and behind the band members on each upper floor.{{cite web |url=https://www.sbnation.com/ad/18069400/notre-dame-band-trumpets-under-the-dome-football |title=How America's oldest college band preps for game day |publisher=Vox Media |website=SB Nation |date=8 Nov 2018 |access-date=8 January 2020}}
• Coming out of the locker room, players slap the famous "Play Like a Champion Today" sign. This sign originated in 1986 when head coach Lou Holtz stumbled across a black and white photo of a similar sign, and wanted one for his own players.{{cite web |url=https://www.espn.com/espn/story/_/id/8765862/notre-dame-play-champion-today-sign |title=Notre Dame PLAY LIKE A CHAMPION TODAY sign |date=December 21, 2012 }}
• Prior to the start of the game, with around 15–30 seconds left on the pregame clock, a clip of Cathy Richardson singing "Here Come The Irish" is played, followed up by I'm Shipping Up To Boston, which continues to play until the football is kicked off.{{cite web |url=https://slapthesign.com/2019/06/29/notre-dame-footballs-fan-experience-best-college-football/ |title=Notre Dame Football's fan experience is the best in college football |first=Ben |last=Belden |publisher=FanSided |website=Slap The Sign |date=29 June 2019 |access-date=8 January 2020}}
• Between the third and fourth quarters of home games, the Notre Dame Marching Band plays the finale to the 1812 Overture, as the crowd reacts with a synchronized waving of arms, with their fingers in the shape of the current coach's first initial. As of 2023, this is an "F" for Marcus Freeman.
• Starting in 1960, Sergeant Tim McCarthy of the Indiana State Police read out a driving safety announcement to the crowd during the fourth quarter. When Sergeant McCarthy began his announcement, the crowd went silent to hear his message, which invariably ended with a pun.{{cite web |last=Katzmann |first=Kristy |url=http://www.nd.edu/~ndmag/copau00.htm |title=Tim McCarthy adds puns to football announcements:Football announcer punches it up |publisher=Notre Dame Magazine |date=Fall 2000 |access-date=July 19, 2008 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080725135310/http://www.nd.edu/~ndmag/copau00.htm |archive-date=July 25, 2008 |df=mdy-all }}{{cite book|first1=Mike|last1=Collins|first2=Tim|last2=McCarthy|title=May I Have Your Attention Please...: Wit & Wisdom From the Notre Dame Pressbox|year=2009|publisher=Corby Books|location=Notre Dame, Indiana|isbn=978-0981960531}} Sergeant McCarthy retired from this duty in the 2015 season after 55 years of fan-favorite messages. He was honored on the field on September 26, 2015, to deliver his last in-person address in which he repeated the same announcement he did on his first gameday.{{cite web|url=http://www.und.com/sports/m-footbl/spec-rel/092315aac.html|title=Tim McCarthy to Deliver One Final Live Safety Message At Notre Dame-Massachusetts Football Game Saturday|website=Und.com|access-date=November 16, 2017|archive-date=September 3, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170903073437/http://www.und.com/sports/m-footbl/spec-rel/092315aac.html|url-status=dead}} He died on October 1, 2020.{{cite news|first=John|last=Fineran|title=May (we) have your attention please? ND Stadium legend Tim McCarthy dies at 89|url=https://www.southbendtribune.com/news/local/may-we-have-your-attention-please-nd-stadium-legend-tim-mccarthy-dies-at-89/article_224bfac0-04fe-11eb-99d1-efcb52d43876.html|work=South Bend Tribune|date=October 3, 2020|access-date=October 3, 2020}}
• At the conclusion of every home game, the team turns to the student section to salute them by raising their helmets in the air. They do this after a win or after a loss. Then, the band plays the Alma Mater, "Notre Dame, Our Mother". Those who stay link arms and sing the lyrics.

Since the NFL began drafting players in 1936, 495 Notre Dame football players have been selected by NFL teams. Additionally, Notre Dame has had 65 players selected in the first round of the NFL draft, including five overall number one picks. Of the 46 Super Bowls competed, as of 2012, only 14 teams have won the event without an Irish player on the roster.{{cite news|url=http://www.und.com/sports/m-footbl/spec-rel/020612aaa.html|title=Justin Tuck Stars in Super Bowl Again As Giants Top Patriots For Second Time in Four Years|publisher=UND.cstv.com|date=February 6, 2012|access-date=August 26, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121119010853/http://www.und.com/sports/m-footbl/spec-rel/020612aaa.html|archive-date=November 19, 2012|url-status=dead}} Looking at both participating team rosters, there have only been five Super Bowls that did not feature at least one former Notre Dame player on either team's roster – Denver vs. Atlanta, 1999; Dallas vs. Buffalo, 1994; Washington vs. Denver, 1988; Dallas vs. Denver, 1978; and Baltimore vs. Dallas, 1971. Eleven former players have won multiple Super Bowls: Mark Bavaro, Rocky Bleier, Nick Buoniconti, Eric Dorsey, Dave Duerson, David Givens, Terry Hanratty, Bob Kuechenberg, Joe Montana, Steve Sylvester and Justin Tuck.

{{main|Pro Football Hall of Fame}}

13 former Notre Dame players, plus 1 non-player alumnus, have been inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame, tying it for first with USC among all college football programs.{{cite web |url=http://www.foxsports.com/college-football/story/notre-dame-now-ranks-first-in-most-pro-football-hall-of-famers-020716| title= Hall of Famers by College| work=profootballhof.com | access-date=April 23, 2008 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20080418093119/http://www.profootballhof.com/hof/colleges.html |archive-date = April 18, 2008}}{{cite web |url=http://collegefootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2015/01/31/notre-dame-catches-usc-in-pro-football-hall-of-famers/| title= Notre Dame catches USC in Pro Football Hall of Famers|work=collegefootballtalk.nbcsports.com | date= February 2015| access-date=February 1, 2015 }}

• 1963: Curly Lambeau – Green Bay Packers (1919–1949), Chicago Cardinals (1950–1951), Washington Redskins (1952–1953).
• 1963: Johnny "Blood" McNally* – Milwaukee Badgers (1925–1926), Duluth Eskimos (1926–1927), Pottsville Maroons (1928), Green Bay Packers (1929–1933, 1935–1936), Pittsburgh Pirates (1934, 1937–1938).
• 1964: George Trafton – Decatur Staleys / Chicago Staleys / Chicago Bears (1920–1921, 1923–1932).
• 1968: Wayne Millner – Boston / Washington Redskins (1936–1941, 1945).
• 1975: George Connor – Chicago Bears (1948–1955).
• 1986: Paul Hornung – Green Bay Packers (1957–1962, 1964–1966).
• 1988: Alan Page – Minnesota Vikings (1967–1978), Chicago Bears (1978–1981).
• 2000: Joe Montana – San Francisco 49ers (1979–1992), Kansas City Chiefs (1993–1994).
• 2001: Nick Buoniconti – Boston Patriots (1962–1968), Miami Dolphins (1969–1974, 1976).
• 2002: Dave Casper – Oakland Raiders (1974–1980), Houston Oilers (1980–1983), Minnesota Vikings (1983), Los Angeles Raiders (1984).
• 2015: Jerome Bettis – Los Angeles / St. Louis Rams (1993–1995), Pittsburgh Steelers (1996–2005).
• 2015: Tim Brown – Los Angeles / Oakland Raiders (1988–2003), Tampa Bay Buccaneers (2004).
• 2016: Edward J. DeBartolo Jr. – San Francisco 49ers (1977–2000), received B.A. from Notre Dame, inducted into Pro Hall of Fame in 2016 as a Contributor.
• 2021: Bryant Young – San Francisco 49ers (1994–2007).

*McNally graduated from St. John's (MN), but started his career at Notre Dame and is listed as a hall of famer under both schools in the Pro Football Hall of Fame.{{cite web |url=http://www.profootballhof.com/players/john-blood-mcnally/| title= John (Blood) McNally| work=profootballhof.com | access-date=April 23, 2008}}

The Fighting Irish are the only team, professional or collegiate, to have all their games broadcast nationally on the radio and their home games on television.{{cite web|title=Air Force Football Travels to Notre Dame|url=http://www.goairforcefalcons.com/sports/m-footbl/spec-rel/100311aae.html|website=goairforcefalcons.com|access-date=April 20, 2015|archive-date=September 24, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150924022737/http://www.goairforcefalcons.com/sports/m-footbl/spec-rel/100311aae.html|url-status=dead}} Notre Dame famously left the College Football Association, a consortium that administered television broadcast rights on behalf of over 64 schools, in 1990, in order to establish its own broadcasting deal with NBC. From 1968 to 2007, Westwood One served as the official radio partner for the Irish, broadcasting their games for 40 consecutive years.{{cite news |url=http://chicagosports.chicagotribune.com/sports/columnists/cs-070627greenstein,1,5244401.column?coll=cs-home-utility|archive-url=https://archive.today/20120707123345/http://chicagosports.chicagotribune.com/sports/columnists/cs-070627greenstein,1,5244401.column?coll=cs-home-utility|url-status=dead|archive-date=July 7, 2012|title=If Roberts has anything to say, he'll rejoin Irish|work=Chicago Tribune|access-date=June 28, 2007}}

Until the 2006 Air Force game, Notre Dame had a record 169 consecutive games broadcast nationally on either NBC, ABC, ESPN, or CBS.{{cite web |url=http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/15593455/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070428031855/http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/15593455/ |url-status=dead |archive-date=April 28, 2007 |title=N.D.-Air Force not on major network – Notre Dame Central – MSNBC.com |publisher=MSNBC |df=mdy-all }} The 2006 ND vs. Air Force game was broadcast on CSTV, a college sports channel owned by CBS who had an exclusive contract with the Mountain West Conference, of which Air Force is a member.

Radio rights to the Fighting Irish are held by Skyview Networks, who began distributing the broadcasts as part of a multi-sport arrangement in 2020.{{Cite web|date=2020-07-30|title=Notre Dame Global Partnerships Announces Multi-Year Partnership with Skyview Networks for Full Suite of Broadcast Solutions, Beginning Fall 2020|url=https://skyviewnetworks.com/news/press-releases/notre-dame-global-partnerships/|access-date=2021-09-01|website=Skyview Networks|language=en-US}}

• Paul Burmeister (play-by-play) 2018–present
• Ryan Harris (color commentator) 2018–present
• Jack Nolan (network studio host) 2020–present

• Tony Roberts (play-by-play) – 1980–2005
• Tom Pagna (color analyst)
• Pat Haden
• Ralph Guglielmi
• Lindsey Nelson
• Al Wester
• Don Criqui (play-by-play) – 1974–1976, 2006–2017
• Allen Pinkett (color analyst) – 2002–2017
• Tom Hammond
• Mike Mayock
• Tony Dungy

{{Main|Notre Dame Football on NBC}}

NBC has been televising Notre Dame Home football games since the 1991 season. In addition to TV broadcasts, NBC also maintains several dedicated websites to ND football and Notre Dame Central,{{cite web |url=http://nbcsports.msnbc.com/id/25889627/ns/sports-notre_dame_central/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100916195630/http://nbcsports.msnbc.com/id/25889627/ns/sports-notre_dame_central/ |url-status=dead |archive-date=September 16, 2010 |title=MSNBC – Notre Dame Central – Stay Current with Notre Dame Football Scores, Schedule, Match-ups & Breaking News – MSNBC.com Front Page |publisher=Nbcsports.msnbc.com |df=mdy-all }} which provides complete coverage, full game replays and commentary of the Notre Dame team. NBC's television contract with Notre Dame was renewed in April 2013 and was set to continue through the 2025 football season,{{cite web|last=Arnold|first=Keith|title=Notre Dame and NBC Sports renew partnership|date=April 17, 2013|url=http://irish.nbcsports.com/2013/04/17/offensive-line-rotation-coming-into-focus/#/2013/04/18/notre-dame-nbc-sports-renew-partnership/|publisher=nbcsports.com|access-date=April 19, 2013}} before another contract renewal was made in 2023. NBC is now set to be the home of Notre Dame football through the 2029 season. It also aired football games on NBC's streaming service Peacock started in the 2021 season, with the home opener on September 11, 2021, against Toledo aired exclusively on the streaming service.{{Cite web|url=https://und.com/notre-dame-football-home-opener-to-air-exclusively-on-peacock/|title=Notre Dame Football Home Opener to Air Exclusively on Peacock|date=August 4, 2021}}{{Cite web|url = https://thespun.com/more/top-stories/notre-dame-news-television-first-game|title = College Football Fans React to Notre Dame Television News|date = August 8, 2021|access-date = August 10, 2021|archive-date = August 10, 2021|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20210810034001/https://thespun.com/more/top-stories/notre-dame-news-television-first-game|url-status = dead}} South Bend NBC affiliate WNDU-TV also produces its own pregame show, Countdown to Kickoff, which airs prior to every home game broadcast on NBC. Internationally Sky Sports has been covering Notre Dame Football home games in the United Kingdom, Republic of Ireland, Italy and Germany since 2018 as a result of Comcast's takeover of Sky.

• Dan Hicks (lead play-by-play)
• Jason Garrett (lead color commentator)
• Zora Stephenson (lead sideline reporter)
• Noah Eagle (primetime play-by-play)
• Todd Blackledge (primetime color commentator)
• Kathryn Tappen (primetime sideline reporter)
• Ahmed Fareed (primetime sideline reporter)

Although the Notre Dame football program is not a full member of the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC), it has an agreement to play an average of five ACC schools per season. In return Notre Dame has access to the non-College Football Playoff ACC bowl line-up.{{cite web|last=Schwab|first=Frank|title=Notre Dame to the ACC, football not included... but football will have ACC feel to it|date=September 12, 2012 |url=https://sports.yahoo.com/blogs/ncaaf-dr-saturday/notre-dame-acc-football-not-included-football-acc-141820042--ncaaf.html|publisher=Yahoo! sports|access-date=September 28, 2012}}{{cite web|last=Hansen|first=Eric|title=Swarbrick offers updates on hot topics|url=http://articles.southbendtribune.com/2012-10-10/sports/34369074_1_football-series-shamrock-series-notre-dame-stadium|publisher=South Bend Tribune|access-date=November 8, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130416004347/http://articles.southbendtribune.com/2012-10-10/sports/34369074_1_football-series-shamrock-series-notre-dame-stadium|archive-date=April 16, 2013|url-status=dead}} Notre Dame utilizes a format of six home games in South Bend, five away games, and one major metropolitan area neutral site "Shamrock Series" home game for scheduling. This includes preserving traditional yearly rivalries with USC, Stanford, and Navy,{{cite news |last=Lazerus |first=Mark |title=Notre Dame drops Michigan from football schedule |url=http://www.suntimes.com/sports/colleges/15375852-419/notre-dame-drops-michigan-from-football-schedule.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121005024543/http://www.suntimes.com/sports/colleges/15375852-419/notre-dame-drops-michigan-from-football-schedule.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=October 5, 2012 |newspaper=suntimes.com |access-date=November 16, 2012 |df=mdy-all }} five rotating ACC opponents (two away ACC games will coincide in even years with away games at Navy and three away ACC games will coincide in odd years with home games against Navy),{{cite news|last=Joseph|first=Allen|title=Observer Exclusive: Swarbrick discusses eventful fall semester|url=http://www.ndsmcobserver.com/sports/observer-exclusive-swarbrick-discusses-eventful-fall-semester-1.2969241|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121231135510/http://www.ndsmcobserver.com/sports/observer-exclusive-swarbrick-discusses-eventful-fall-semester-1.2969241|url-status=dead|archive-date=December 31, 2012|access-date=December 28, 2012|newspaper=The Observer|df=mdy-all}} two home and home series (one home game and one away game), one one-time opponent home game, and the traveling "Shamrock Series" home game.{{cite web|title=Jack Swarbrick Press Conference Transcript – Notre Dame Announces 2014–2016 Schedules|url=http://www.und.com/sports/m-footbl/spec-rel/122013aad.html|publisher=und.com|access-date=December 26, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140127060936/http://www.und.com/sports/m-footbl/spec-rel/122013aad.html|archive-date=January 27, 2014|url-status=dead}}{{cite web|title=Irish Release Football Schedules Through 2016|url=https://gameday.nd.edu/news/45259-notre-dame-announces-2014-2015-2016-football-schedules/|publisher=nd.edu|access-date=December 26, 2013}}

{{CFB schedule

| poll = AP

| timezone = Eastern

|{{CFB schedule entry

| date = September 5

| time =

| w/l =

| neutral = y

| opponent = {{cfb link|year=2026|team=Wisconsin Badgers|title=Wisconsin}}

| ref ={{cite web |last1=Rittenberg |first1=Adam |title=Wisconsin, Notre Dame to open 2026 college football season at Lambeau Field |url=https://www.espn.com/college-football/story/_/id/31585472/wisconsin-notre-dame-open-2026-college-football-season-lambeau-field |website=ESPN |date=June 7, 2021 |access-date=7 June 2021}}

| site_stadium = Lambeau Field

| site_cityst = Green Bay, WI

| tv =

| score =

}}

|{{CFB schedule entry

| date = September 19

| time =

| w/l =

| opponent = {{cfb link|year=2026|team=Michigan State Spartans|title=Michigan State}}

| ref ={{cite web |title=Notre Dame, Michigan State football series fading away |url=https://www.ndinsider.com/story/sports/football/2014/05/15/otre-dame-michigan-state-football-series-fading-away/46685357/ |access-date=17 August 2022}}

| site_stadium = Notre Dame Stadium

| site_cityst = Notre Dame, IN

| tv =

| score =

}}

|{{CFB schedule entry

| date = September 26

| time =

| w/l =

| away = y

| opponent = {{cfb link|year=2026|team=Purdue Boilermakers|title=Purdue}}

| ref = {{cite web|last1=Winn|first1=Andrew|title=Notre Dame Football: Irish Drop Game With Purdue Boilermakers, Add Two More|date=August 17, 2017|url=https://www.onefootdown.com/2017/8/17/16165342/notre-dame-football-irish-drop-game-with-purdue-boilermakers-add-two-more-schedule-2021-2027-2028|access-date=August 18, 2017}}

| site_stadium = Ross–Ade Stadium

| site_cityst = West Lafayette, IN

| tv =

| score =

}}

|{{CFB schedule entry

| date = October 3

| time =

| w/l =

| away = y

| opponent = {{cfb link|year=2026|team=North Carolina Tarheels|title=North Carolina}}

| ref ={{cite web |title=North Carolina Future Football Schedules (TENTATIVE) |url=https://goheels.com/news/2013/7/10/205477904 |access-date=17 July 2024}}

| site_stadium = Kenan Memorial Stadium

| site_cityst = Chapel Hill, NC

| tv =

| score =

}}

|{{CFB schedule entry

| date = October 31

| time =

| w/l =

| neutral = y

| opponent = {{cfb link|year=2026|team=Navy Midshipmen|title=Navy}}

| ref =

| site_stadium = Gillette Stadium

| site_cityst = Foxborough, MA

| tv =

| score =

}}

|{{CFB schedule entry

| date = November 28

| time =

| w/l =

| away = y

| opponent = {{cfb link|year=2026|team=USC Trojans|title=USC}}

| ref =

| site_stadium = Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum

| site_cityst = Los Angeles, CA

| tv =

| score =

}}

|{{CFB schedule entry

| date = TBA

| time =

| w/l =

| opponent = {{cfb link|year=2026|team=Miami Hurricanes|title=Miami}}

| ref = {{cite web |last1=Horka |first1=Tyler |title=Notre Dame football will not play Miami in 2024 as originally scheduled |url=https://www.on3.com/teams/notre-dame-fighting-irish/news/notre-dame-football-2024-schedule-miami-hurricanes-reschedule-2026-south-bend/ |website=on3.com |date=August 7, 2023 |access-date=20 August 2023}}

| site_stadium = Notre Dame Stadium

| site_cityst = Notre Dame, IN

| tv =

| score =

}}

|{{CFB schedule entry

| date = TBA

| time =

| w/l =

| opponent = {{cfb link|year=2026|team=SMU Mustangs|title=SMU}}

| ref ={{cite web |title=ACC Announces SMU to Play Notre Dame in 2026 |date=November 6, 2024 |url=https://theacc.com/news/2024/11/6/football-acc-announces-smu-to-play-notre-dame-in-2026.aspx |access-date=12 December 2024}}

| site_stadium = Notre Dame Stadium

| site_cityst = Notre Dame, IN

| tv =

| score =

}}

|{{CFB schedule entry

| date = TBA

| time =

| w/l =

| away = y

| opponent = {{cfb link|year=2026|team=Florida State Seminoles|title=Florida State}}

| ref =

| site_stadium = Doak Campbell Stadium

| site_cityst = Tallahassee, FL

| tv =

| score =

}}

|{{CFB schedule entry

| date = TBA

| time =

| w/l =

| away = y

| opponent = {{cfb link|year=2026|team=Syracuse Orange|title=Syracuse}}

| ref = {{cite web |title=NOTRE DAME/ACC FOOTBALL GAMES FOR 2026-2037 NOW OFFICIAL |url=https://und.com/notre-dame-acc-football-games-for-2026-2037-now-official/ |website=und.com |date=May 11, 2017 |access-date=26 May 2022}}

| site_stadium = JMA Wireless Dome

| site_cityst = Syracuse, NY

| tv =

| score =

}}

}}

TBA: 2 additional home games will be scheduled.

{{CFB schedule

| poll = AP

| timezone = Eastern

|{{CFB schedule entry

| date = September 4

| time =

| w/l =

| opponent = {{cfb link|year=2027|team=Purdue Boilermakers|title=Purdue}}

| ref =

| site_stadium = Notre Dame Stadium

| site_cityst = Notre Dame, IN

| tv =

| score =

}}

|{{CFB schedule entry

| date = September 18

| time =

| w/l =

| away = y

| opponent = {{cfb link|year=2027|team=Michigan State Spartans|title=Michigan State}}

| ref =

| site_stadium = Spartan Stadium

| site_cityst = East Lansing, MI

| tv =

| score =

}}

|{{CFB schedule entry

| date = October 2

| time =

| w/l =

| opponent = {{cfb link|year=2027|team=Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets|title=Georgia Tech}}

| ref =

| site_stadium = Notre Dame Stadium

| site_cityst = Notre Dame, IN

| tv =

| score =

}}

|{{CFB schedule entry

| date = November 6

| time =

| w/l =

| opponent = {{cfb link|year=2027|team=Virginia Tech Hokies|title=Virginia Tech}}

| ref =

| site_stadium = Notre Dame Stadium

| site_cityst = Notre Dame, IN

| tv =

| score =

}}

|{{CFB schedule entry

| date = November 13

| time =

| w/l =

| away = y

| opponent = {{cfb link|year=2027|team=Clemson Tigers|title=Clemson}}

| ref =

| site_stadium = Memorial Stadium

| site_cityst = Clemson, SC

| tv =

| score =

}}

|{{CFB schedule entry

| date = November 20

| time =

| w/l =

| opponent = {{cfb link|year=2027|team=Navy Midshipmen|title=Navy}}

| ref =

| site_stadium = Notre Dame Stadium

| site_cityst = Notre Dame, IN

| tv =

| score =

}}

|{{CFB schedule entry

| date = TBA

| time =

| w/l =

| away = y

| opponent = {{cfb link|year=2027|team=Duke Blue Devils|title=Duke}}

| ref =

| site_stadium = Wallace Wade Stadium

| site_cityst = Durham, NC

| tv =

| score =

}}

|{{CFB schedule entry

| date = TBA

| time =

| w/l =

| away = y

| opponent = {{cfb link|year=2027|team=Wake Forest Demon Deacons|title=Wake Forest}}

| ref =

| site_stadium = Allegacy Federal Credit Union Stadium

| site_cityst = Winston-Salem, NC

| tv =

| score =

}}

}}

TBA: 4 additional games will be scheduled.

{{CFB schedule

| poll = AP

| timezone = Eastern

|{{CFB schedule entry

| date = September 9

| time =

| w/l =

| opponent = {{cfb link|year=2028|team=Texas Longhorns|title=Texas}}

| ref =

| site_stadium = Notre Dame Stadium

| site_cityst = Notre Dame, IN

| tv =

| score =

}}

|{{CFB schedule entry

| date = September 16

| time =

| w/l =

| opponent = {{cfb link|year=2028|team=Arkansas Razorbacks|title=Arkansas}}

| ref = {{cite web |last1=James |first1=Tyler |title=Notre Dame football reschedules home game with Arkansas to 2028 |url=https://www.ndinsider.com/story/sports/football/2021/05/28/notre-dame-football-reschedules-home-game-arkansas-2028/5245010001/ |access-date=30 May 2021}}

| site_stadium = Notre Dame Stadium

| site_cityst = Notre Dame, IN

| tv =

| score =

}}

|{{CFB schedule entry

| date = September 23

| time =

| w/l =

| away = y

| opponent = {{cfb link|year=2028|team=Purdue Boilermakers|title=Purdue}}

| ref =

| site_stadium = Ross–Ade Stadium

| site_cityst = West Lafayette, IN

| tv =

| score =

}}

|{{CFB schedule entry

| date = November 4

| time =

| w/l =

| away = y

| opponent = {{cfb link|year=2028|team=Virginia Tech Hokies|title=Virginia Tech}}

| ref = {{cite web |title=Virginia Tech Future Football Schedules |url=https://virginiatech.sportswar.com/vt-football/virginia-tech-future-football-schedules/ |website=VirginiaTech.Sportwar.com |access-date=30 May 2021}}

| site_stadium = Lane Stadium

| site_cityst = Blacksburg, VA

| tv =

| score =

}}

|{{CFB schedule entry

| date = November 11

| time =

| w/l =

| opponent = {{cfb link|year=2028|team=Clemson Tigers|title=Clemson}}

| ref =

| site_stadium = Notre Dame Stadium

| site_cityst = Notre Dame, IN

| tv =

| score =

}}

|{{CFB schedule entry

| date = November 18

| time =

| w/l =

| away = y

| opponent = {{cfb link|year=2028|team=Navy Midshipmen|title=Navy}}

| ref =

| site_stadium = Navy–Marine Corps Memorial Stadium

| site_cityst = Annapolis, MD

| tv =

| score =

}}

|{{CFB schedule entry

| date = TBA

| time =

| w/l =

| opponent = {{cfb link|year=2028|team=Boston College Eagles|title=Boston College}}

| ref =

| site_stadium = Notre Dame Stadium

| site_cityst = Notre Dame, IN

| tv =

| score =

}}

|{{CFB schedule entry

| date = TBA

| time =

| w/l =

| opponent = {{cfb link|year=2028|team=Miami Hurricanes|title=Miami}}

| ref =

| site_stadium = Notre Dame Stadium

| site_cityst = Notre Dame, IN

| tv =

| score =

}}

|{{CFB schedule entry

| date = TBA

| time =

| w/l =

| away = y

| opponent = {{cfb link|year=2028|team=Pittsburgh Panthers|title=Pittsburgh}}

| ref =

| site_stadium = Acrisure Stadium

| site_cityst = Pittsburgh, PA

| tv =

| score =

}}

}}

TBA: 3 additional games will be scheduled.

{{CFB schedule

| poll = AP

| timezone = Eastern

|{{CFB schedule entry

| date = September 1

| time =

| w/l =

| opponent = {{cfb link|year=2029|team=Alabama Crimson Tide|title=Alabama}}

| ref = {{cite web |last1=Vowles |first1=Joshua |title=Notre Dame Football: Irish and Alabama reschedule their home and home series |url=https://www.onefootdown.com/2021/6/8/22524453/notre-dame-football-irish-and-alabama-reschedule-their-home-and-home-series-2029-2030-nd-season-news |website=OneFootDown.com |date=June 8, 2021 |access-date=10 June 2021}}

| site_stadium = Notre Dame Stadium

| site_cityst = Notre Dame, IN

| tv =

| score =

}}

|{{CFB schedule entry

| date = September 15

| time =

| w/l =

| away = y

| opponent = {{cfb link|year=2029|team=South Florida Bulls|title=South Florida}}

| ref ={{cite web |last1=Vowles |first1=Joshua |title=Notre Dame Football: Irish add the two games owed to South Florida on the schedule |url=https://www.onefootdown.com/2021/4/5/22368331/notre-dame-football-irish-add-the-two-games-owed-to-south-florida-on-the-schedule-usf-contract-nd |website=OneFootDown.com |date=April 5, 2021 |access-date=10 June 2021}}

| site_stadium = Raymond James Stadium

| site_cityst = Tampa, FL

| tv =

| score =

}}

|{{CFB schedule entry

| date = September 22

| time =

| w/l =

| away = y

| opponent = {{cfb link|year=2029|team=Texas Longhorns|title=Texas}}

| ref =

| site_stadium = Darrell K Royal–Texas Memorial Stadium

| site_cityst = Austin, TX

| tv =

| score =

}}

|{{CFB schedule entry

| date = October 6

| time =

| w/l =

| away = y

| opponent = {{cfb link|year=2029|team=NC State Wolfpack|title=NC State}}

| ref =

| site_stadium = Carter–Finley Stadium

| site_cityst = Raleigh, NC

| tv =

| score =

}}

|{{CFB schedule entry

| date = November 3

| time =

| w/l =

| opponent = {{cfb link|year=2029|team=Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets|title=Georgia Tech}}

| ref =

| site_stadium = Notre Dame Stadium

| site_cityst = Notre Dame, IN

| tv =

| score =

}}

|{{CFB schedule entry

| date = November 10

| time =

| w/l =

| away = y

| opponent = {{cfb link|year=2029|team=Florida State Seminoles|title=Florida State}}

| ref =

| site_stadium = Doak Campbell Stadium

| site_cityst = Tallahassee, FL

| tv =

| score =

}}

|{{CFB schedule entry

| date = TBA

| time =

| w/l =

| opponent = {{cfb link|year=2029|team=Wake Forest Demon Deacons|title=Wake Forest}}

| ref =

| site_stadium = Notre Dame Stadium

| site_cityst = Notre Dame, IN

| tv =

| score =

}}

|{{CFB schedule entry

| date = TBA

| time =

| w/l =

| opponent = {{cfb link|year=2029|team=Navy Midshipmen|title=Navy}}

| ref =

| site_stadium = Notre Dame Stadium

| site_cityst = Notre Dame, IN

| tv =

| score =

}}

|{{CFB schedule entry

| date = TBA

| time =

| w/l =

| away = y

| opponent = {{cfb link|year=2029|team=Syracuse Orange|title=Syracuse}}

| ref =

| site_stadium = JMA Wireless Dome

| site_cityst = Syracuse, NY

| tv =

| score =

}}

|{{CFB schedule entry

| date = TBA

| time =

| w/l =

| away = y

| opponent = {{cfb link|year=2029|team=Clemson Tigers|title=Clemson}}

| ref =

| site_stadium = Memorial Stadium

| site_cityst = Clemson, SC

| tv =

| score =

}}

}}

TBA: 2 additional games will be scheduled.

{{CFB schedule

| poll = AP

| timezone = Eastern

|{{CFB schedule entry

| date = August 31

| time =

| w/l =

| opponent = {{cfb link|year=2030|team=Indiana Hoosiers|title=Indiana}}

| ref ={{cite web |last1=James |first1=Tyler |title=Notre Dame football schedules 2030, 2031 matchups with Indiana |url=https://www.ndinsider.com/story/sports/football/2021/04/19/otre-dame-football-schedules-2030-2031-matchups-with-indiana/44009143/ |website=ndinsider.com |access-date=10 June 2021}}

| site_stadium = Notre Dame Stadium

| site_cityst = Notre Dame, IN

| tv =

| score =

}}

|{{CFB schedule entry

| date = September 14

| time =

| w/l =

| away = y

| opponent = {{cfb link|year=2030|team=Alabama Crimson Tide|title=Alabama}}

| ref =

| site_stadium = Bryant–Denny Stadium

| site_cityst = Tuscaloosa, AL

| tv =

| score =

}}

|{{CFB schedule entry

| date = November 2

| time =

| w/l =

| away = y

| opponent = {{cfb link|year=2030|team=Louisville Cardinals|title=Louisville}}

| ref =

| site_stadium = L&N Federal Credit Union Stadium

| site_cityst = Louisville, KY

| tv =

| score =

}}

|{{CFB schedule entry

| date = TBA

| time =

| w/l =

| opponent = {{cfb link|year=2030|team=Duke Blue Devils|title=Duke}}

| ref =

| site_stadium = Notre Dame Stadium

| site_cityst = Notre Dame, IN

| tv =

| score =

}}

|{{CFB schedule entry

| date = TBA

| time =

| w/l =

| opponent = {{cfb link|year=2030|team=Florida State Seminoles|title=Florida State}}

| ref =

| site_stadium = Notre Dame Stadium

| site_cityst = Notre Dame, IN

| tv =

| score =

}}

|{{CFB schedule entry

| date = TBA

| time =

| w/l =

| opponent = {{cfb link|year=2030|team=North Carolina Tar Heels|title=North Carolina}}

| ref =

| site_stadium = Notre Dame Stadium

| site_cityst = Notre Dame, IN

| tv =

| score =

}}

|{{CFB schedule entry

| date = TBA

| time =

| w/l =

| opponent = {{cfb link|year=2030|team=Clemson Tigers|title=Clemson}}

| ref =

| site_stadium = Notre Dame Stadium

| site_cityst = Notre Dame, IN

| tv =

| score =

}}

|{{CFB schedule entry

| date = TBA

| time =

| w/l =

| away = y

| opponent = {{cfb link|year=2030|team=Boston College Eagles|title=Boston College}}

| ref =

| site_stadium = Alumni Stadium

| site_cityst = Chestnut Hill, MA

| tv =

| score =

}}

|{{CFB schedule entry

| date = TBA

| time =

| w/l =

| away = y

| opponent = {{cfb link|year=2030|team=Navy Midshipmen|title=Navy}}

| ref =

| site_stadium = Navy–Marine Corps Memorial Stadium

| site_cityst = Annapolis, MD

| tv =

| score =

}}

}}

TBA: 3 additional games will be scheduled.

{{CFB schedule

| poll = AP

| timezone = Eastern

|{{CFB schedule entry

| date = September 1

| time =

| w/l =

| away = y

| opponent = {{cfb link|year=2031|team=Clemson Tigers|title=Clemson}}

| ref =

| site_stadium = Memorial Stadium

| site_cityst = Clemson, SC

| tv =

| score =

}}

|{{CFB schedule entry

| date = September 13

| time =

| w/l =

| away =

| opponent = {{cfb link|year=2031|team=South Florida Bulls|title=South Florida}}

| ref ={{cite web |last1=Vowles |first1=Joshua |title=Notre Dame Football: Irish add the two games owed to South Florida on the schedule |url=https://www.onefootdown.com/2021/4/5/22368331/notre-dame-football-irish-add-the-two-games-owed-to-south-florida-on-the-schedule-usf-contract-nd |website=OneFootDown.com |date=April 5, 2021 |access-date=10 June 2021}}

| site_stadium = Notre Dame Stadium

| site_cityst = Notre Dame, IN

| tv =

| score =

}}

|{{CFB schedule entry

| date = September 27

| time =

| w/l =

| away = y

| opponent = {{cfb link|year=2031|team=Indiana Hoosiers|title=Indiana}}

| ref =

| site_stadium = Memorial Stadium

| site_cityst = Bloomington, IN

| tv =

| score =

}}

|{{CFB schedule entry

| date = October 11

| time =

| w/l =

| away = y

| opponent = {{cfb link|year=2031|team=Virginia Cavaliers|title=Virginia}}

| ref =

| site_stadium = Scott Stadium

| site_cityst = Charlottesville, VA

| tv =

| score =

}}

|{{CFB schedule entry

| date = November 15

| time =

| w/l =

| opponent = {{cfb link|year=2031|team=Florida Gators|title=Florida}}

| ref = {{cite web |last1=Dinich |first1=Heather |title=Notre Dame and Florida schedule 2031-32 home-and-home series |url=https://www.espn.com/college-football/story/_/id/30867211/notre-dame-florida-schedule-2031-32-home-home-series |website=ESPN |date=February 9, 2021 |access-date=26 May 2022}}

| site_stadium = Notre Dame Stadium

| site_cityst = Notre Dame, IN

| tv =

| score =

}}

|{{CFB schedule entry

| date = November 22

| time =

| w/l =

| opponent = {{cfb link|year=2031|team=NC State Wolfpack|title=NC State}}

| ref =

| site_stadium = Notre Dame Stadium

| site_cityst = Notre Dame, IN

| tv =

| score =

}}

|{{CFB schedule entry

| date = TBA

| time =

| w/l =

| opponent = {{cfb link|year=2031|team=Miami Hurricanes|title=Miami}}

| ref =

| site_stadium = Notre Dame Stadium

| site_cityst = Notre Dame, IN

| tv =

| score =

}}

|{{CFB schedule entry

| date = TBA

| time =

| w/l =

| opponent = {{cfb link|year=2031|team=Navy Midshipmen|title=Navy}}

| ref =

| site_stadium = Notre Dame Stadium

| site_cityst = Notre Dame, IN

| tv =

| score =

}}

|{{CFB schedule entry

| date = TBA

| time =

| w/l =

| away = y

| opponent = {{cfb link|year=2031|team=Pittsburgh Panthers|title=Pittsburgh}}

| ref =

| site_stadium = Acrisure Stadium

| site_cityst = Pittsburgh, PA

| tv =

| score =

}}

|{{CFB schedule entry

| date = TBA

| time =

| w/l =

| away = y

| opponent = {{cfb link|year=2031|team=North Carolina Tarheels|title=North Carolina}}

| ref =

| site_stadium = Kenan Memorial Stadium

| site_cityst = Chapel Hill, NC

| tv =

| score =

}}

}}

TBA: 2 additional games will be scheduled.

{{CFB schedule

| poll = AP

| timezone = Eastern

|{{CFB schedule entry

| date = September 11

| time =

| w/l =

| away = y

| opponent = {{cfb link|year=2032|team=Florida Gators|title=Florida}}

| ref =

| site_stadium = Ben Hill Griffin Stadium

| site_cityst = Gainesville, FL

| tv =

| score =

}}

|{{CFB schedule entry

| date = October 30

| time =

| w/l =

| away = y

| opponent = {{cfb link|year=2032|team=Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets|title=Georgia Tech}}

| ref =

| site_stadium = Bobby Dodd Stadium

| site_cityst = Atlanta, GA

| tv =

| score =

}}

|{{CFB schedule entry

| date = TBA

| time =

| w/l =

| opponent = {{cfb link|year=2032|team=Florida State Seminoles|title=Florida State}}

| ref =

| site_stadium = Notre Dame Stadium

| site_cityst = Notre Dame, IN

| tv =

| score =

}}

|{{CFB schedule entry

| date = TBA

| time =

| w/l =

| opponent = {{cfb link|year=2032|team=Louisville Cardinals|title=Louisville}}

| ref =

| site_stadium = Notre Dame Stadium

| site_cityst = Notre Dame, IN

| tv =

| score =

}}

|{{CFB schedule entry

| date = TBA

| time =

| w/l =

| opponent = {{cfb link|year=2032|team=Wake Forest Demon Deacons|title=Wake Forest}}

| ref =

| site_stadium = Notre Dame Stadium

| site_cityst = Notre Dame, IN

| tv =

| score =

}}

|{{CFB schedule entry

| date = TBA

| time =

| w/l =

| opponent = {{cfb link|year=2032|team=Clemson Tigers|title=Clemson}}

| ref =

| site_stadium = Notre Dame Stadium

| site_cityst = Notre Dame, IN

| tv =

| score =

}}

|{{CFB schedule entry

| date = TBA

| time =

| w/l =

| away = y

| opponent = {{cfb link|year=2032|team=Miami Hurricanes|title=Miami}}

| ref =

| site_stadium = Hard Rock Stadium

| site_cityst = Miami Gardens, FL

| tv =

| score =

}}

|{{CFB schedule entry

| date = TBA

| time =

| w/l =

| away = y

| opponent = {{cfb link|year=2032|team=Navy Midshipmen|title=Navy}}

| ref =

| site_stadium = Navy–Marine Corps Memorial Stadium

| site_cityst = Annapolis, MD

| tv =

| score =

}}

}}

TBA: 4 additional games will be scheduled.

{{CFB schedule

| poll = AP

| timezone = Eastern

|{{CFB schedule entry

| date = September 3

| time =

| w/l =

| away = y

| opponent = {{cfb link|year=2033|team=Michigan Wolverines|title=Michigan}}

| ref = {{cite web |last1=Farmer |first1=Douglas |title=Notre Dame, Michigan will meet again in 2033-34 |url=https://irish.nbcsports.com/2019/10/26/notre-dame-michigan-will-meet-again/ |website=Irish.NBCSports.com |date=October 26, 2019 |access-date=26 May 2022}}

| site_stadium = Michigan Stadium

| site_cityst = Ann Arbor, MI

| tv =

| score =

}}

|{{CFB schedule entry

| date = September 24

| time =

| w/l =

| away = y

| opponent = {{cfb link|year=2033|team=Duke Blue Devils|title=Duke}}

| ref =

| site_stadium = Wallace Wade Stadium

| site_cityst = Durham, NC

| tv =

| score =

}}

|{{CFB schedule entry

| date = November 5

| time =

| w/l =

| opponent = {{cfb link|year=2033|team=Virginia Tech Hokies|title=Virginia Tech}}

| ref =

| site_stadium = Notre Dame Stadium

| site_cityst = Notre Dame, IN

| tv =

| score =

}}

|{{CFB schedule entry

| date = TBA

| time =

| w/l =

| opponent = {{cfb link|year=2033|team=Pittsburgh Panthers|title=Pittsburgh}}

| ref =

| site_stadium = Notre Dame Stadium

| site_cityst = Notre Dame, IN

| tv =

| score =

}}

|{{CFB schedule entry

| date = TBA

| time =

| w/l =

| away = y

| opponent = {{cfb link|year=2033|team=Boston College Eagles|title=Boston College}}

| ref =

| site_stadium = Alumni Stadium

| site_cityst = Chestnut Hill, MA

| tv =

| score =

}}

|{{CFB schedule entry

| date = TBA

| time =

| w/l =

| away = y

| opponent = {{cfb link|year=2033|team=Louisville Cardinals|title=Louisville}}

| ref =

| site_stadium = L&N Federal Credit Union Stadium

| site_cityst = Louisville, KY

| tv =

| score =

}}

|{{CFB schedule entry

| date = TBA

| time =

| w/l =

| away = y

| opponent = {{cfb link|year=2033|team=Clemson Tigers|title=Clemson}}

| ref =

| site_stadium = Memorial Stadium

| site_cityst = Clemson, SC

| tv =

| score =

}}

}}

TBA: 5 additional games will be scheduled.

{{CFB schedule

| poll = AP

| timezone = Eastern

|{{CFB schedule entry

| date = September 2

| time =

| w/l =

| opponent = {{cfb link|year=2034|team=Michigan Wolverines|title=Michigan}}

| ref =

| site_stadium = Notre Dame Stadium

| site_cityst = Notre Dame, IN

| tv =

| score =

}}

|{{CFB schedule entry

| date = October 26

| time =

| w/l =

| away = y

| opponent = {{cfb link|year=2034|team=Miami Hurricanes|title=Miami}}

| ref =

| site_stadium = Hard Rock Stadium

| site_cityst = Miami Gardens, FL

| tv =

| score =

}}

|{{CFB schedule entry

| date = November 11

| time =

| w/l =

| opponent = {{cfb link|year=2034|team=Clemson Tigers|title=Clemson}}

| ref =

| site_stadium = Notre Dame Stadium

| site_cityst = Notre Dame, IN

| tv =

| score =

}}

|{{CFB schedule entry

| date = November 18

| time =

| w/l =

| opponent = {{cfb link|year=2034|team=Virginia Cavaliers|title=Virginia}}

| ref =

| site_stadium = Notre Dame Stadium

| site_cityst = Notre Dame, IN

| tv =

| score =

}}

|{{CFB schedule entry

| date = TBA

| time =

| w/l =

| opponent = {{cfb link|year=2034|team=Syracuse Orange|title=Syracuse}}

| ref =

| site_stadium = Notre Dame Stadium

| site_cityst = Notre Dame, IN

| tv =

| score =

}}

|{{CFB schedule entry

| date = TBA

| time =

| w/l =

| away = y

| opponent = {{cfb link|year=2034|team=Pittsburgh Panthers|title=Pittsburgh}}

| ref =

| site_stadium = Acrisure Stadium

| site_cityst = Pittsburgh, PA

| tv =

| score =

}}

}}

TBA: 6 additional games will be scheduled.

{{reflist|30em|refs=

{{Cite web|url=http://www.sportswriters.net/fwaa/awards/allamerica/alltime.pdf|title=The All-Time Team – Compiled by Ted Gangi and Josh Yonis|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20040727225639/http://www.sportswriters.net/fwaa/awards/allamerica/alltime.pdf|archive-date=July 27, 2004|url-status=dead}}

}}

{{Commons category}}

• {{Official website}}
• "[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wTkDQTiUVmg&list=PL1kCrwyVysevDFMcCw4WBXuCZ9q40eLCw Knute Rockne and a Century of Champions]" (2024 documentary produced by WNDU-TV)

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{{University of Notre Dame}}

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Category:1887 establishments in Indiana

Category:American football teams established in 1887