(1888-1931) Norwegian-born US American football coach. His greatest contribution to football was the extensive use of sophisticated formations and the forward pass. He established an unparalleled lifetime record of 105 wins, 12 losses, and 5 ties—with 5 undefeated, untied seasons.
Rockne emigrated to the US with his family 1893. As a student at Notre Dame University 1910–14, he was a star football player and became the school’s head football coach 1918. Serving in that position until his death, his book Coaching, the Way of the Winner was published 1925. His memoirs, Autobiography, appeared 1931.