CINCINNATI (WXIX) – Legendary Archbishop Moeller High School football coach Gerry Faust, who also coaches at the University of Notre Dame, died Monday at age 89, his family announced.

“It is with tremendous pain that we announce the passing of Gerry Faust, a beloved husband, father, grandfather and coach who dedicated his life to his family, his faith and the teams and players he coached,” his family said in a statement.

“Throughout an extraordinary life fueled by a deep and unwavering devotion to his Catholic faith, he was a beloved mentor to countless young people both on and off the field of play. His work ethic, optimism, leadership and humility were legendary. He leaves a legacy of perseverance, compassion and inspiration, reminding us all of the extraordinary impact one life can have.

“While most knew him as a coach, we will long remember him as a wonderful father and grandfather who inspired us by example to live our best lives.”

Moeller issued a statement of his own describing Fausto as “a legendary leader whose faith, work ethic and devotion to his players and school led to championships on the field and inspired young men to succeed off it.”

“Coach Fausto embodied everything it means to be a Moeller man,” said Moeller Interim President Carl Kremer. “He inspired his players to be men of faith and character who pursued academic excellence and pushed each other to succeed. “He believed in that brotherhood and defined it in his way of living.”

As head coach of the Crusaders for nearly two decades, Faust amassed a remarkable 178-23-2 record, including 12 Greater Catholic League (GCL) championships, five Ohio State championships and four national titles over his last six years as a coach.

“Moeller is a special place,” Faust told FOX19 NOW media partner The Cincinnati Enquirer in 2021. “It’s a family. I always told coaches that victories on the scoreboard served their purpose, but victories in the hearts of the young people you train to become winners in life are the true victories. Wow, we had a lot of real victories.”

The former players speak with reverence and respect for “Fuzzy,” as they affectionately knew him, according to Moeller’s statement.

“Coach Faust treated everyone with respect, from the shortest man on the team to the best backup to the best player,” said Steve Sylvester, a 1971 Moeller graduate who played for Notre Dame and spent nine years in the NFL with the Oaklands. Assailants.

“His unmatched energy, deep Catholic faith, love of family, daily work ethic and incredible optimism tell the story of a unique and incredible man. The shattered dream of his life as Notre Dame’s coach taught all who knew him how to handle personal adversity with class, courage and resilience. “He taught us a lot, beyond being footballers.”

Mike Suter, captain of the 1979 Crusaders, remembered Fausto as a “larger than life figure, a big personality who filled a room.”

Suter’s uncle, the late Phil Gigliotti, trained alongside Fausto at Moeller, and Suter grew up admiring him. “I went to Coach Faust’s summer camps as a kid and couldn’t wait to play for him.”

Under Fausto’s direction, the team captains accompanied him before the games on a pilgrimage to Mount Adams, where they prayed the rosary on the steps leading to the Church of the Immaculate Conception. “He would put us in his little car, stop at Wendy’s, take us out to dinner and then take us to pray the steps,” Suter recalled. “He would say, ‘You are the leaders of this team and we are going to pray the rosary together.’ “I still pray the steps on Good Friday and I always think of Gerry Fausto.”

Barrett Cohen, Moeller’s director of community engagement, said Coach Faust’s legacy will live on. “Many still associate Coach Fausto with Moeller football and the school itself. His impact on Moeller is deep, long-lasting and will endure. People like Gerry Faust are never forgotten.”

After his historic success at Moeller, Faust was hired in 1980 to coach the Notre Dame Fighting Irish, where he posted a 30-26-1 record in five seasons, including a victory in the 1983 Liberty Bowl and an appearance in the Aloha 1984 Bowl.

Although his college coaching career did not live up to his success at Moeller, Faust remained kind and positive. “He didn’t blame anyone, he never spoke ill of Notre Dame,” Sylvester said. “And although his record may not have been the best, fans still loved him. “That shows the kind of person he was.”

Suter recalled Fausto’s generosity, even toward players on rival teams. “He once arranged for a young man from Elder High School to walk around Akron,” Suter said. “He was so genuine and selfless that he would do anything for you.”

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