Born in Voss, Norway and emigrated while still a child to Chicago. As the head coach of the University of Notre Dame in Indiana, from 1918-1930, he set the greatest all-time winning percentage of 88.1%. During 13 years as head coach, he oversaw 105 victories, 12 losses, five ties, and six national championships, including five undefeated seasons. His players included George 'Gipper' Gipp and the Four Horsemen - Harry Stuhldreher, Don Miller, Jim Crowley, and Elmer Layden. He died in a plane crash in Kansas.