Faust brought an outgoing personality and unwavering optimism that were refreshing. He deserved the fairytale everyone expected when he was hired.

Former Notre Dame coach Gerry Faust, who was hired directly from the high school ranks in the 1980s, died on Monday, the school confirmed in a statement. He was 89. Faust was hire

Jumping from the high school ranks to lead one of the most storied programs in college football, he lost games but rarely lost hope.