Frank Leahy's Sixth Year as Notre Dame Coach: Successes and Challenges
The page from the February 1949 Sportfolio highlights the accomplishments and challenges faced by Francis William Leahy during his six-year tenure as the head coach of the Notre Dame football team. Leahy achieved a record of 50 wins, three losses, and five ties at South Bend, illustrating a significant level of success. His record is compared to notable contemporaries, such as Gil Dobie, who previously coached at Washington, and Bob Neyland, who coached at Tennessee, indicating that while Leahy's record is impressive, it does not surpass that of these coaching legends. The article emphasizes Leahy's reputation as a demanding taskmaster in search of top talent, positioning him among the elite coaches like Knute Rockne, Percy Haughton, Howard Jones, and Fielding Yost. It notes that Leahy's start at Notre Dame, despite competing fiercely, has not drawn negative criticism, a rarity in the world of sports coaching.