Knute Rockne, the legendary coach of the Notre Dame Fighting Irish, was born on this day 131 years ago in Voss, Norway. Rockne forever changed Notre Dame and college football. His .881 winning percentage remains the best in college football history (#2 is Frank Leahy with .864 — a Rockne disciple).
Rock was only 43 years old when he died in a plane crash in Bazaar, Kansas. Forty-three... and he accomplished all of that and so much more. He was more than a coach to his players, and history has made him more than that. He is THE coach, the icon, and the legend that has helped make college football what it is today.