Member Review

It’s surprising how few people even among die hard Notre Dame fans can name the coach with the second-highest winning percentage in FBS history. The answer isn’t Nick Saban or Bobby Bowden. It’s Frank Leahy, a man whose legacy has been overshadowed despite his extraordinary success. Fortunately, sports journalist Ivan Maisel brings Leahy’s story back into the spotlight in his compelling biography, American Coach: Triumph and Tragedy of Notre Dame Legend Frank Leahy.

Maisel takes readers on a journey through Leahy’s life, beginning in the small town of Winner, South Dakota (yes, that’s a real place), where Leahy first made his mark as a football star. From there, the book follows his time as a player at Notre Dame under Rockne, his coaching stints at Boston College and Notre Dame, and even his time serving in the U.S. Navy during World War II.

Leahy’s coaching career was nothing short of legendary, he won four national championships and built one of the most dominant programs in college football history. But Maisel doesn’t just recount wins and losses. He digs deeper into the man behind the success, exploring why someone with such an impressive résumé has been largely overlooked in the annals of football history. Through interviews with family members, extensive research in the Notre Dame Football archives, and countless old newspaper clippings, Maisel paints a rich and nuanced portrait of Leahy. His meticulous attention to detail is evident throughout the book, especially in the thorough notations and sourcing.

One of the things I personally loved about this book were the small stories and anecdotes that brought Leahy’s character to life. Whether it was a comment from a childhood teammate that fueled Leahy’s drive to succeed, or the quirky fact that his early Notre Dame teams practiced on indoor dirt fields, these tidbits added color and personality to the narrative. They made the book feel less like a textbook and more like a conversation with someone who truly understands and appreciates college football history.

As a huge Notre Dame fan, I’ll admit I might be a little biased—but I genuinely found this book fascinating. Maisel does an outstanding job of blending deep research with engaging storytelling. He leaves no stone unturned in his effort to honor Leahy’s legacy, and the result is one of the best sports biographies I’ve read in recent years.

Whether you're a Notre Dame enthusiast or simply a fan of college football, American Coach is a must read. It’s a powerful reminder of how greatness can sometimes be forgotten and why it’s worth remembering.