Rockne, Knute (Kenneth)

(born March 4, 1888, Voss, Nor.—died March 31, 1931, Chase county, Kan., U.S.) U.S. football coach. He immigrated with his family to Chicago in 1893. He ran track and played end on the University of Notre Dame football team, combining with quarterback Gus Dorias to popularize the forward pass as a major offensive tactic. In 1919 he was named head coach at Notre Dame. In Rockne's 13 seasons, his “Fighting Irish” posted an impressive record (105–12–5) that included 5 undefeated seasons and 3 national championships. He coached players such as George “The Gipper” Gipp and the members of the Four Horsemen, and his colourful personality captured the public's imagination.

Rockne, Knute (Kenneth) (1888–1931) football coach; born in Voss, Norway. His family came to this country in 1893. From 1905 through 1910, he worked as a night clerk to earn money for college. An end whose pass receiving helped Notre Dame beat Army in 1913, he became coach at his alma mater in 1918 and served until his death, producing six national championships and five perfect-record teams. Perhaps football's most famous coach, and one of the few whose life inspired a movie, "Rock" was known for his preference for speed over brute force, his use of psychology, and his halftime orations. It was during halftime at the 1928 Army game that he inspired his team to victory with his "Win one for the Gipper" story.