Gerry Faust, who was famously plucked from Moeller high school in Cincinnati to lead Notre Dame's storied football program in 1981, died Monday, his family confirmed in a statement. He was 89.  

I have so many Faust stories because I graduated from Moeller in 1978 during the initial glory years of the football program.

https://www.espn.com/college-football/story/_/I'd/42346152/gerry-faust-bold-experiment-notre-dame-coach-dies-89

From Archbishop Moeller High School on Facebook:

Thank you, Coach Gerry Faust— you were a legendary leader whose faith, work ethic, and devotion to your players and to Moeller led to championships on the field while inspiring young men to succeed off it.

Over 18 years as the Crusaders’ head coach, he compiled an extraordinary record of 178-23-2, including 12 Greater Catholic League (GCL) championships, five Ohio state championships, and four national titles. All while making it to Mass every day.

We will miss you.

On 10/29/2024 at 7:28 PM, BBN said:

I believe Coach Faust is 89 years old and living in the Akron area from what I read.

What timing.

I was a Senior at Anderson High School in Cincinnati (76-77) and I loved High School football and being from a small town(Mayfield KY) I was in awe of Moeller and Gerry Faust. I did a little research on the 76 team which has been called by some as the greatest High School team of all time. They were 12-0, outscored their opponents 490-40 during that season. 26 Seniors got scholarships that season and if you count the Sophomores and Juniors on the team 65 players received Scholarships from that team. They were led by Tim Koegal and Bob Crable, who was a first round draft choice by the New York Jets.  Coach Faust was 178-23-2 and won 4 High School National Championships.

Reading that ESPN article brought back alot of great memories. I went to Phil Simms camp at Morehead State in 1980 when Tom Lichtenberg was there as head coach.  He ended up on staff at Notre Dame! Very cool. 

Also, the whole story is incredibly inspirational. It makes a HS coach think..... "maybe that could happen to me!"

Never forget... a little hope, even minuscule, is better than NO hope at all! ?

 

RIP Coach Faust! ?

 

3 hours ago, snakesnot_2000 said:

I was a Senior at Anderson High School in Cincinnati (76-77) and I loved High School football and being from a small town(Mayfield KY) I was in awe of Moeller and Gerry Faust. I did a little research on the 76 team which has been called by some as the greatest High School team of all time. They were 12-0, outscored their opponents 490-40 during that season. 26 Seniors got scholarships that season and if you count the Sophomores and Juniors on the team 65 players received Scholarships from that team. They were led by Tim Koegal and Bob Crable, who was a first round draft choice by the New York Jets.  Coach Faust was 178-23-2 and won 4 High School National Championships.

I graduated from Moeller in 1978.  My class only saw ONE loss in the 4 years that I was there.  It was an unreal atmosphere.  I did not play football myself although I did try out (but was cut).  I went to grade school with Bob Crable (who I see every month now when we do some charity work together).  Gerry Faust was my typing teacher.  He would play recordings for us teaching us how to use the new IBM selectric typewriters.  That freed him up to leave the room to do "coaching" stuff.  There was a time when I misbehaved badly in class and I felt his wrath with a hard punch to the chest (that was the style of discipline in private schools in the 70's).  In the lunch room, it was no big deal to see Joe Paterno, Woody Hayes and Dan Devine walking through to get to Faust's office.  If Elder or Princeton would be driving against the Crusaders, he would tell the players to grab hands and say a "Hail Mary".  At rallies, he could fire up a student body like no other.  In those days, Moeller would outdraw the Reds on some nights.  I'll missy "Fuzzy".  RIP.

Credits to Barrett Cohen on Facebook.

From Barrett Cohen and photo credit to Ed Finke.

Coach Gerry Faust - 25 years old in the Fall of 1960 - His first year at Moeller High School (3rd row, far left).

Trivia time... without cheating... name Faust's successor at Moeller High School... @theguru not allowed to answer. 

Ted Bacigalupo

Succeeded Faust for one year, then was succeeded by Steve Klonne.