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1975 – 1980
The tenure: Dan Devine coached Notre Dame from 1975 to 1980 and went 53–16–1, with three bowl wins. He arrived with a college record of 120–40–8 built at Arizona State and Missouri, and the Green Bay Packers' head coaching job behind him.
1977 — the green jersey game: The team had underachieved into October. On October 22, 1977, against No. 5 Southern California at home, the players warmed up in blue, then changed into kelly green jerseys — the first green the team had worn since the 1950s — while a student-built Trojan Horse was rolled out and disgorged the leprechaun mascot before the game. Notre Dame won 49–19, wore green for the rest of Devine's tenure, and routed five of its next six opponents.
The title: On January 2, 1978, Notre Dame beat No. 1 Texas — with the Heisman winner, Earl Campbell — 38–10 in the Cotton Bowl, and took the consensus championship at 11–1. The quarterback was the junior Joe Montana.
The departure: Devine announced his resignation on August 15, 1980, effective at the end of that season.
Sources:
- Devine biographical and coaching records — the 53–16–1 mark, the three bowl wins, the 120–40–8 arrival record, the August 15, 1980 announcement.
- The 1977 season record — the green jersey game of October 22, 1977, in its documented detail; the Cotton Bowl of January 2, 1978.