Legendary Notre Dame Coach Ara Parseghian Passes Away at 94

Ara Parseghian, the revered former coach of the Notre Dame Fighting Irish football team, passed away on November 23, 2024, at the age of 94. Parseghian is remembered for his significant impact on the program, transforming the team from a struggling outfit to a national powerhouse during his tenure from 1964 to 1974.

Under Parseghian’s leadership, Notre Dame won national titles in 1966 and 1973. He inherited a team that had not had a winning season in five years and quickly restored the program’s prestige. His .836 winning percentage ranks him third on Notre Dame’s coaching list, behind Knute Rockne and Frank Leahy, with whom he is often referred to as part of the “Holy Trinity” of Notre Dame coaches.

Parseghian’s coaching career began at Miami University, his alma mater, and he later spent eight seasons at Northwestern before joining Notre Dame. He was known for his attention to detail and his ability to inspire his players both on and off the field. Former Notre Dame quarterback Terry Hanratty praised Parseghian, saying, “Everybody loved Ara. That’s a really great human being.”

After retiring from coaching in 1974, Parseghian transitioned into television, working as a commentator for ABC and CBS for over a decade. His post-coaching life was also marked by his efforts to raise funds for research into Niemann-Pick disease type C, a condition that affected three of his grandchildren. He founded the Ara Parseghian Medical Foundation in response to this personal tragedy.

A mass for Parseghian will be presided over by Notre Dame President Rev. John Jenkins at the Basilica of the Sacred Heart on the campus of Notre Dame, followed by a public memorial service at the Joyce Center.