He did, and after spending 30 years as the Dons’ defensive coordinator, the 1990 Notre Dame graduate is the school’s new head football coach. DeFranza succeeds Mike Hennessey, who retired earlier this month after 38 seasons and 205 wins.

This was the trendy upset pick of the College Football Playoff first round with Indiana and its Cinderella season. Someone forget to give Notre Dame the script

SOUTH BEND, Ind. — No. 7 Notre Dame cruised past No. 10 Indiana 27-17 in the first game of the 12-team College Football Playoff on Friday night. The Fighting Irish advance to play No. 2 Georgia in the Sugar Bowl on Jan. 1.