Former Notre Dame head football coach to present "Beyond Touchdown Jesus"

Rock Island , Ill. – The former coach who is perhaps best known for being Lou Holtz's immediate predecessor at the University of Notre Dame will reflect on the ups and downs of his tumultuous coaching career in a pair of public events next week at Augustana College. Gerry Faust will present “Beyond Touchdown Jesus” as Augustana's weekly Community Convocation speaker at 10:30 a.m., Thursday, October 13 in Centennial Hall (3703 7th Avenue). That evening, Faust will be the featured speaker at a dinner held at Abbey Station in Rock Island. The cost for the dinner, which begins at 6:30 p.m., is $20.00. Faust, a Roman Catholic, will speak about the impact his faith has had on his life and career. To RSVP for the dinner, please contact the Augustana Center for Vocational Reflection at (309) 794-8612.

“Most people who play football won't have the chance to stay in the game as a full-time job,” said Dr. Robert Haak, director of the Augustana Center for Vocational Reflection, which is sponsoring Faust's visit. “Gerry Faust will talk about how one's passion can remain a part of one's life – even if it isn't what you do for full time work,” added Haak.

The center's goal is to help students recognize who they are called to be by exploring the notion of vocation. An exploration of vocation invites people to consider how they are called to live life in the context of the world with intention, integrity and generosity, said Haak. “This calling includes all aspects of one's life. Gerry Faust had a dream job, and it didn't work out, but his life continued – very successfully, I might add – because he was more than his job. That is something to talk about,” Haak said.

In 1960, Archbishop Moeller High School, a newly-established school in Cincinnati, hired Faust as its first head football coach. There he earned recognition as one of the top high school football coaches in the country, compiling a 174-17-2 record in 18 years. His teams won eight regional titles and five state championships while recording nine undefeated seasons and a 53-game regular-season winning streak from 1972-1978. In 1980, the University of Notre Dame made the unprecedented decision to appoint Faust, who had no head coaching experience at the college level, as the head coach of its storied football program. The Fighting Irish won their first game under Faust, the 1981 season opener against Louisiana State University, but lost four of the next five games and ended the season with a 5-6 record. In five years he would compile a 30-26-1 record. Although it was a winning record, it didn't meet the Notre Dame's high expectations and Faust resigned in 1985. He was replaced by Lou Holtz, whose 100-30-2 record was highlighted by multiple bowl game appearances as well as the 1988 national championship.

In 1985, Faust accepted the head coach position at The University of Akron. Under his leadership, Akron moved from Division I-AA to Division I-A Independent status within the NCAA and began play as a member of the Mid-American Conference. As Akron coach, Faust maintained a keen interest in the academic success of his athletes and encouraged close ties with developmental programs to assist his players. Before retiring, Faust served as assistant vice president of public affairs and development at Akron. He has gained a reputation as an outstanding motivational speaker.