Davie Vows to Carry On Irish Tradition

The so-called “greatest coaching job in college football,” the one Lou Holtz inexplicably relinquished last week--and the one Northwestern Coach Gary Barnett inexplicably expressed no interest in--was formally accepted Sunday by a man with no head coaching experience.

In an announcement devoid of suspense, Bob Davie was officially named the 26th coach at Notre Dame at a morning news conference in South Bend, Ind.

In taking the position, the 42-year Davie, the team’s current defensive coordinator, vowed to carry on in the hallowed footsteps of predecessors Knute Rockne, Elmer Layden, Frank Leahy, Ara Parseghian, Dan Devine and Holtz, although he paraphrased the sentiments of a Columbia legend, Lou Gehrig.

“Right now, I feel like the luckiest man alive,” Davie said.

Davie, who signed a five-year contract, becomes the first Notre Dame assistant promoted to head coach since Terry Brennan succeeded Frank Leahy in 1954.

Davie joined Holtz’s staff in 1994 as defensive coordinator and inside linebackers’ coach and remained a trusted Holtz confidant.

While loyal to Notre Dame, his desire to become a head coach was well chronicled and so strong that Davie became a finalist last year for the Oklahoma job eventually filled by John Blake.

When Holtz announced his retirement last Tuesday, and names of a possible successor began swirling, Davie appeared the best available standby candidate in case Barnett fell through.

Davie, in the meantime, was interviewing for the vacant Purdue position. When Barnett begged out of the competition, Davie became the front runner and the man Notre Dames now says it wanted all along.

Davie was reportedly the unanimous choice of Athletic Director Mike Wadsworth, George Kelly, Notre Dame’s assistant athletic director, and Father William Beauchamp, Notre Dame’s executive vice president.

“Obviously, there are a lot of great coaches out there, but what was important was to get a coach that fit at Notre Dame,” Beauchamp told the Associated Press. “The main thing, I think. . .was there was a great fit with Bob Davie. He’s the right person for Notre Dame.”

University President Edward Malloy gave final approval to Davie’s hiring on Friday, making the impending announcement the worst-kept secret in the country as Holtz coached his final home game at Notre Dame Stadium, a 62-0 route of Rutgers.

“I’ve waited a long, long time for this moment,” Davie said at his press conference. “I can tell you standing here that it’s been worth the wait.”

Only time will tell.

There is no blueprint for becoming the head coach at the nation’s most scrutinized football program, although Davie has tried to watch and learn under Holtz.

“Three years ago when I came to Notre Dame, I came here because Lou Holtz told me that he would teach me how to become a head football coach, and he did that,” Davie said.

Prior to Notre Dame, Davie made his name as a nine-year assistant at Texas A&M;, where he worked his way from outside linebackers’ coach to assistant head coach under R.C. Slocum.

“I feel like in some ways I’m totally prepared to be the head football coach because I doubt there’s many head coaches in this country that have experienced the type of things I’ve experienced, particularly over my last three years here at Notre Dame,” Davie said.

Davie is not, actually, without head coaching experience. When Holtz was forced to miss last year’s Vanderbilt game after undergoing neck surgery, Davie took over and led the Irish to a 41-0 victory. Davie is well-liked by his players and is known as a top recruiter.

“I plan to work harder than any coach in the country at recruiting,” he said.

Davie said that Holtz’s resignation after 11 seasons surprised him.

“At no time did I really think Lou Holtz was serious and that Lou Holtz wouldn’t come back to the University of Notre Dame,” Davie said.

Irish quarterback Ron Powlus did not say whether Davie’s hiring would affect his decision whether to return for a fifth year next season, but he emphatically supported the hiring.

Davie made it clear that Notre Dame is still Holtz’ team for two more games, this weekend’s showdown against USC and, with a victory, a likely Fiesta Bowl berth.

Davie said he would likely retain several of Notre Dame’s assistants.

“I’m going to take it one step at a time,” Davie said. “I’m going to go slowly. My focus right now is on, number one, Southern Cal, number two, assuring the players in our program right now of the direction that this program will continue and number three, recruiting.”

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Bob Davie at a Glance

A look at Bob Davie, who was hired Sunday to succeed Lou Holtz as Notre Dame football coach:

* Born: Sept. 30, 1954 in Sewickley, Pa.

* Family: Married to former Joanne Fratangelo. Two children, Audra, 13, and Clay, 9.

* Education: Degree in education from Youngstown State.

Coaching Experience

* Pittsburgh: graduate assistant, 1977; linebackers coach, 1980-82.

* Arizona: linebackers coach, 1978-79.

* Tulane: assistant head coach and defensive assistant, 1983-1984.

* Texas A&M;: outside linebackers coach, 1985-1988; inside linebackers coach and defensive coordinator, 1989-92; assistant head coach, 1993.

* Notre Dame: defensive coordinator and inside linebackers coach, 1994-1996.

* Bowl games: Coached in 15.