<P> During his eleven - year career, the Irish amassed a record of 95--17--4 and captured two national championships as well as the MacArthur Bowl in 1964 . The Irish also had undefeated seasons in 1966 and 1973, had three major bowl wins in five appearances, and produced one Heisman Trophy winner (John Huarte in 1964). In 1971, Cliff Brown became the first African - American quarterback to start a game for the program . Due to health issues, Parseghian was forced to retire from coaching after the 1974 season . </P> <P> Dan Devine was hired to take over as head coach upon Parseghian's departure from Notre Dame in 1975 . Devine was already a highly successful coach and had led Arizona State, Missouri, and the NFL's Green Bay Packers . Devine had been a leading candidate for the head coaching job at Notre Dame in 1964, when Ara Parseghian was hired . When approached for the job following Parseghian's resignation, Devine accepted immediately, joking that it was probably the shortest job interview in history . When he arrived at Notre Dame he already had a college coaching record of 120 wins, 40 losses, and eight ties and had led his teams to victory in four bowl games . At Notre Dame he would lead the Irish to 53 wins, 16 losses, and a tie as well as three bowl victories . </P> <P> His lasting achievement came midway through this run, when Notre Dame won the 1977 national championship, led by junior quarterback Joe Montana . The championship season climaxed with a 38--10 win in the 1978 Cotton Bowl Classic over previously top - ranked Texas, led by Heisman Trophy winner Earl Campbell . The win vaulted the Irish from fifth to first in the polls . Earlier in the season, before the annual game against USC, played at home on October 22, Devine changed the team's jerseys from navy blue & white to kelly green & gold, later known as the "green jersey game" resulting in a 49--19 victory over the Trojans . The Irish continued to wear green for the rest of Devine's tenure at the school . </P> <P> Like Joe Kuharich before him, Devine was involved in a game while at Notre Dame whose ending resulted in a rule change still in effect today . On September 15, 1979, the Irish faced the Michigan Wolverines in Ann Arbor in their season opener . With six seconds remaining, Michigan lined up for a game - winning field goal attempt . Notre Dame linebacker Bob Crable climbed up onto the back of opposing long snapper Mike Trgovac and was able to block the kick, preserving a 12--10 Irish victory . A new rule was implemented the following season that prohibited this tactic . </P>

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