Wisconsin transfer Coan named starting QB

SOUTH BEND, IND. — Wisconsin transfer Jack Coan is Notre Dame’s starting quarterback.

Coach Brian Kelly announced the choice Saturday in a Twitter post after suggesting for the last week that a decision would be coming soon. Notre Dame opens Sept. 5 at Florida State.

“It feels amazing. It’s just a dream come true. Never in a million years did I think I’d end up here after going to Wisconsin,” Coan told 247Sports’ Irish Illustrated. “I’m just so unbelievably thankful for this opportunity, and it’s not something I’m going to take lightly.”

Coan started for Wisconsin in 2019, leading the Badgers to the Big Ten championship game. He completed 70% of his passes and threw for 2,727 yards and 18 touchdowns two seasons ago.

Coan broke his right foot before last season’s abbreviated Big Ten schedule began in late October and did not play, losing the starting job to former bluechip recruit Graham Mertz.

Coan transferred in the offseason to Notre Dame. The Irish were looking to replace longtime starter Ian Book, who was a fourth-round draft pick of the New Orleans Saints.

Coan, a graduate transfer heading into his senior season, was competing against underclassmen Drew Pyne and Tyler Buchner, a freshman.

“All three quarterbacks distinguished themselves in the spring and preseason camp,” Kelly said. “Clearly, each has the skills necessary to lead, but Jack proved to be more consistent, and therefore going into our opener gives us the best chance for success.”

Coan and Notre Dame face Wisconsin at Soldier Field on Sept. 25.