Coach’s legacy in wins, philanthropy

Notre Dame legend won titles but faced tragic family losses.

Ara Parseghian reached the pinnacle of his profession at Notre Dame and endured the most painful losses as a father and grandfather.

He left coaching at age 51 after winning two national titles but never really left Notre Dame. He built a legacy through philanthropy that he hoped would be more meaningful than victories.

Parseghian died Wednesday at his home in Granger, Indiana, where he lived with Katie Parseghian, his wife of 68 years. He was 94.

Parseghian had returned home after more than a week in a nursing care facility. He was treated for an infection inhis surgically repaired hip.

“Among his many accomplishments, we will remember him above all as a teacher, leader and mentor who brought out the very best in his players, on and offff the fifield,” Notre Dame President Rev. John Jenkins said in a statement. “He continued to demonstrate that leadership by raising millions of research dollars seeking a cure for the terrible disease that took the lives of three of his grandchildren.”

Parseghian took over at Notre Dame in 1964 when the Irish hadn’t had a winning season in five years. He led themto national titles in 1966 and 1973, then retired after the 1974 season, saying he was worn out and ready for a change. He never returned to coaching.

His .836winning percentage puts him third on Notre Dame’s coaching list behind fellow College Football Hall of Famers Knute Rockne (.881) and Frank Leahy(.855). Parseghian started his coaching career at Miami University, his alma mater, then spent eight seasons leading Northwestern. After stepping down at Notre Dame, Parseghian spent more than a decade calling games on ABC and CBS.

In 1994, his family was hit with devastating news. Three of son Mike’s children were found to have Niemann-Pick disease type C. Parseghian helped create the Ara Parseghian Medical Foundation in response. He already had been active in the National Multiple Sclerosis Society after daughter Karan was diagnosed.

The Parseghians lost three grandchildren between the ages of 9-16 to Niemann-Pick disease from1997-2005. The foundation has raised more than $45 million for research on the disease.

In 2014, Parseghian’s daughter, Karan Burke, died at 61.

Ara Parseghian won the 1966, 1973 national titles.