Gerry Faust, the esteemed former football coach of Archbishop Moeller High School and later Notre Dame University, passed away yesterday at 89, his family confirmed. Faust's storied career spanned several decades, during which he became a revered figure in high school and college football circles. As quoted by Dayton Daily News, the family's statement emphasized his "dedicated his life to his family, his faith and the teams and players he coached."
While known primarily for his football acumen, Faust's influence extended well beyond the gridiron. "Coach Faust treated everyone with respect, from the lowest man on the team to the top booster and best player," Steve Sylvester, a Moeller graduate and former NFL player, remembered in a statement to FOX19. Faust's impact on Moeller was paralleled only by his deep Catholic faith, which colored his coaching and mentorship, leading to 178 wins over his tenure at the high school.
Moeller High School's interim president, Carl Kremer, said, "Coach Faust embodied all that it means to be a Man of Moeller." Kremer's comments, reported by WLWT, highlighted how Faust inspired his players to be men of faith and character. Moeller's direction of community engagement, Barrett Cohen, echoed these sentiments, stating, "His impact on Moeller is deep, lasting, and will endure. People like Gerry Faust are never forgotten."
According to an account by the Dayton Daily News, following his influential high school coaching career, Faust was appointed head coach of the Notre Dame Fighting Irish—a role he served in from 1980 to 1985. Though his record at Notre Dame did not mirror his high school success, his tenure is regarded with great affection. Mourning his departure, many within the Notre Dame community still express their respect for Faust's unwavering optimism and grace in victory and adversity.
Faust's passing has left a void in the communities he impacted—from Dayton, where he was born and raised, to the critical football programs he helped shape at Moeller, Notre Dame, and later the University of Akron. As a man who viewed coaching as a platform not just for victory on the field but wins "in the hearts of the young men," as he stated in a 2021 interview with FOX19, Faust's legacy is secured in the annals of American sports and the lives of those he guided to personal growth and achievement.
