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Former Ole Miss coach Ken Cooper, who guided Rebels to memorable win over Notre Dame, dies at 80

Ken Cooper, who played end at Georgia from 1955-57 and went on to become coach at Ole Miss in the mid-1970s, died Tuesday in Savannah, Ga. He was 80.

Cooper led the rebels to one of the most memorable wins in school history, a 20-13 upset of third-ranked Notre Dame in Jackson on September 17, 1977. The Irish went on to finish 11-1, including a win over unbeaten Texas in the Cotton Bowl, and won the national title, with Alabama finishing second. Ole Miss finished 5-6 and Cooper was let go.

Cooper was named the SEC Coach of the Year with the Rebels in 1975, when his team finished 5-1 in conference play.