Jesse Harper Position: Head Coach 1913-1917

Harper attended the University of Chicago and played football under the immortal Amos Alonzo Stagg from 1902-06. He acquired his first coaching position the following season at Alma College in Michigan where he accumulated a 10-4-4 record from 1906-1908. In 1909 he moved to Wabash College in Indiana where he coached until 1913, leaving with a 15 9-2 record. In 1913 he became head coach and athletic director at Notre Dame, guiding the Irish to an undefeated season that first year. He resigned at the age of 33 in 1917 to live on his 20,000-acre ranch in Sitka, Kansas. His five-year record at Notre Dame stood 34-5-1. Harper was elected to the National Football Foundation Hall of Fame in 1971.