No. 9 Notre Dame turns to graduate transfer QB Coan
SOUTH BEND, Ind. — No quarterback since Tony Rice has delivered the goods Notre Dame’s fanatical following has longed for since 1988 — a national championship.
Not Rick Mirer, not Kevin McDougal, not Ron Powlus, not Brady Quinn, not Tommy Rees, not Everett Golson, and not the winningest Irish starting quarterback of them all — Ian Book, who twice led coach Brian Kelly’s team to the College Football Playoff..
When No. 9 Notre Dame opens its season Sept. 5 at Florida State, Book’s successor — Jack Coan, a graduate transfer from Wisconsin — will be asked to end the drought.
“Going into our opener, (Coan) gives us the best chance for success,” said Kelly, who begins his 12th season four victories short of passing Knute Rockne’s 105 wins at the school.
The 22-year-old Coan, who beat out sophomore Drew Pyne and true freshman Tyler Buchner, is eager for his chance at Notre Dame, where he once was offered a lacrosse scholarship.
“Never in a million years did I think I’d end up here after going to Wisconsin,” said the 6-foot-31⁄4, 223-pound former prep star from Sayville, New York.
In 2019 as a junior, Coan completed nearly 70% of his passes for 2,727 yards and 18 touchdowns against five interceptions during a 10-4 season for Paul Chryst’s Badgers that ended with competitive losses to Ohio State in the Big Ten championship and Oregon in the Rose Bowl.
Coan was expected to be the starting quarterback last season, but suffered a right foot injury in early October that required seasonending surgery. He transferred to Notre Dame in January.
“It’s just a dream come true,” Coan said. “It’s not something I’m going to take lightly.”
Rees, now Notre Dame’s offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach, believes Coan won’t.
“He came here for a reason,” Rees said. “He’s put in the work; he’s done everything we’ve asked from him and more. But Jack keeps it pretty close to the chest. He’s a guy that’s very poised, very thoughtful in how he reacts. And he’s excited - he’s eager for his opportunity.”
His teammates are eager for Coan to lead them.
“You wouldn’t think Jack coming from Wisconsin would step in and be the leader he is,”running back Kyren Williams said. “I’m excited to go to work with him every day.”
UP FRONT
With four-fifths of last year’s starting offensive line now working in NFL camps, senior Jarrett Patterson returns as center after speculation had him possibly moving elsewhere. A preseason All-American, the 6-foot-41⁄2, 307-pound Patterson missed the end of 2020 season because of foot surgery.