AP-- A name that has become synonymous has taken its place among the coaching ghosts of South Bend. Legendary Notre Dame head football coach Morris Alexander announced his retirement this morning following the 2051 football season.
Many Irish faithful are dismayed by Alexander's retirement, but moreso, angry with the NCAA for not awarding him a national championship trophy in years past. Alexander amassed a 446-125 record in 44 years at Notre Dame with six undefeated seasons. His 2015-18 teams climbed to No. 2 of the NCAA's consecutive victory recordbook after winning 40 straight games. He coached 39 consecutive winning seasons, 11 Heisman finalists, 43 All-Americans, and is widely regarded as the most respected figure in modern sports.
Alexander's teams were perennial favorites to win the national championship, but they were plagued by weak schedules. Critics cite Alexander's refusal to commit ND to a conference like the Big Ten as one of the reasons his teams lacked the respect of voters. Othes say the "gracious" punishments he issued to his players was unethical and even his coaches lacked discipline (several players and coaches from Notre Dame have been arrested for various incidents during Alexander's tenure). Alexander answered those critics during the press conference. "I had a winning record against the Big Ten, I've never had to fire a coach, and I graduate over 50 percent of my players," said Alexander. "What else can I do?"
One fact that naysayers could not overshadow is Alexander's identity as a winner. He took an already elite program and cemented it as the premiere college program in the history of American football.
Below is a look back at Alexander's yearly records during his career.
Notre Dame Fighting Irish (2008-2051)
Head Coach: Morris Alexander, 446-125, 44 years
2008: 6-5
2009: 7-6
2010: 10-2
2011: 13-0
2012: 9-3
2013: 8-2
2014: 13-0
2015: 12-1
2016: 13-0
2017: 13-0
2018: 12-1
2019: 12-2
2020: 12-1
2021: 10-3
2022: 11-2
2023: 12-1
2024: 12-1
2025: 13-0
2026: 11-2
2027: 13-1
2028: 11-2
2029: 9-4
2030: 12-1
2031: 12-1
2032: 12-2
2033: 12-2
2034: 13-0
2035: 12-1
2036: 9-5
2037: 8-3
2038: 11-2
2039: 10-3
2040: 8-4
2041: 13-1
2042: 10-3
2043: 8-5
2044: 8-6
2045: 8-6
2046: 8-5
2047: 7-7
2048: 8-5
2049: 7-6
2050: 7-5
2051: 7-6
Many Irish faithful are dismayed by Alexander's retirement, but moreso, angry with the NCAA for not awarding him a national championship trophy in years past. Alexander amassed a 446-125 record in 44 years at Notre Dame with six undefeated seasons. His 2015-18 teams climbed to No. 2 of the NCAA's consecutive victory recordbook after winning 40 straight games. He coached 39 consecutive winning seasons, 11 Heisman finalists, 43 All-Americans, and is widely regarded as the most respected figure in modern sports.
Alexander's teams were perennial favorites to win the national championship, but they were plagued by weak schedules. Critics cite Alexander's refusal to commit ND to a conference like the Big Ten as one of the reasons his teams lacked the respect of voters. Othes say the "gracious" punishments he issued to his players was unethical and even his coaches lacked discipline (several players and coaches from Notre Dame have been arrested for various incidents during Alexander's tenure). Alexander answered those critics during the press conference. "I had a winning record against the Big Ten, I've never had to fire a coach, and I graduate over 50 percent of my players," said Alexander. "What else can I do?"
One fact that naysayers could not overshadow is Alexander's identity as a winner. He took an already elite program and cemented it as the premiere college program in the history of American football.
Below is a look back at Alexander's yearly records during his career.
Notre Dame Fighting Irish (2008-2051)
Head Coach: Morris Alexander, 446-125, 44 years
2008: 6-5
2009: 7-6
2010: 10-2
2011: 13-0
2012: 9-3
2013: 8-2
2014: 13-0
2015: 12-1
2016: 13-0
2017: 13-0
2018: 12-1
2019: 12-2
2020: 12-1
2021: 10-3
2022: 11-2
2023: 12-1
2024: 12-1
2025: 13-0
2026: 11-2
2027: 13-1
2028: 11-2
2029: 9-4
2030: 12-1
2031: 12-1
2032: 12-2
2033: 12-2
2034: 13-0
2035: 12-1
2036: 9-5
2037: 8-3
2038: 11-2
2039: 10-3
2040: 8-4
2041: 13-1
2042: 10-3
2043: 8-5
2044: 8-6
2045: 8-6
2046: 8-5
2047: 7-7
2048: 8-5
2049: 7-6
2050: 7-5
2051: 7-6
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