AKRON, Ohio — Gerry Faust, whose football coaching exploits at Archbishop Moeller High School in Cincinnati earned him legendary status before college head coaching stints at both Notre Dame and Akron, has died at the age of 89.
Faust's family confirmed his passing in a statement to NBC affiliate WLWT in Cincinnati. A cause of death was not given.
"Throughout an extraordinary life driven by an unwavering and deep devotion to his Catholic faith, he was a beloved mentor to countless young men both on and off the playing field," Faust's family said of him. "His work ethic, optimism, leadership and humility were legendary. He leaves behind a legacy of perseverance, compassion, and inspiration, reminding us all of the extraordinary impact one life can have."
HIGH SCHOOL SUCCESS
After graduating in 1958 from the University of Dayton with a degree in marketing and management, Faust accepted his first coaching position as an assistant at his high school alma mater, Dayton Chaminade. His father, Gerry Sr., had coached at Chaminade for 49 years.
Two seasons later, Faust accepted an offer to build a football program at a new high school, Archbishop Moeller, in suburban Cincinnati.
He spent three years constructing the foundation of what would become a legendary program in high school athletics.
In 1963, Moeller's first varsity team surprised many with a 9-1 record.
In the next 17 years, Faust's Moeller teams posted nine undefeated seasons, won 10 city championships, eight regional titles and five big-school state championships.
Four times Faust teams were awarded mythical national championships, each following unbeaten and untied seasons in 1976, '77, '79 and '80.
The 1980 team completed a 13-0 season and capped Faust's high school coaching record at a remarkable 174-17-2, a success rate of nearly 91%.
NOTRE DAME
There was a public outcry when Faust was selected to take over at Notre Dame in the spring of 1981. The school's administrators were admonished for elevating a high school coach to the most revered position in college coaching.
Faust guided the Fighting Irish from 1981 through 1985, compiling a record of 30-26-1. He succeeded Dan Devine as coach of Notre Dame and preceded Lou Holtz.
Faust's first team in South Bend went 5-6 and he followed that with marks of 6-4, 7-5, 7-5 and 5-6.
"I have always loved Notre Dame and still do," he said after he was fired following the 1985 season. His final game was an embarrassing 58-7 loss at Miami, which marked Notre Dame's most lopsided defeat since World War II.
THE ZIPS
Faust spent the next nine seasons as the head coach at the University of Akron, bringing the program from Division II to major-college status. His record was 43-53-3 with the Zips.
His first Akron team in 1986 went 7-4, but his teams — playing a difficult Division I-AA schedule and, eventually, some of the top teams in I-A — never reached that level again.
He remained at Akron after his coaching days, working as a fundraiser and in the development office before retiring in 2001.
