Freshman Grades

How the last five Notre Dame coaches fared in their first season.

Ara Parseghian (1964)
Went 9-1: lost to USC in final game.

Dan Devine (1975)
An 8-3 record included surprise losses to Michigan State and Pittsburgh, both unranked.

Gerry Faust (1981)
Ranked No. 1 early but finished 5-6 for the Irish's first losing season since 1963.

Lou Holtz (1986)
A 5-6 record was the only below-.500 season of his tenure.

Bob Davie (1997)
Started 1-4 but finished 7-6, including a 33-15 loss to Willingham's Cardinal.