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Tyrone Willingham: The Meaning of Victory
Tyrone Willingham The Meaning of Victory Author:Fred Mitchell Stoic, unflappable, determined --all words used to describe Tyrone Willingham-- also represent the remarkable character of a man whose entire life has demanded poise under pressure. While Willingham became a household name during his first season as head football coach of the Fighting Irish of Notre Dame, this book goes behind the scenes an... more »d listens to the voices of the people who helped shape the athlete, the coach and the man. From his roots in Kinston, N.C., to his playing career at Michigan State and his 18-year coaching odyssey that included stops at his alma mater, Stanford and the NFL, we observe how every assignment was for a purpose. Whether he was performing as an athlete or a coach, Willingham, it seems, was never anybody's first choice. But he always responds in a first-class manner. A walk-on athlete at Michigan State, Willingham would earn three letters each in football and baseball. As perhaps the fourth or fifth choice to become head coach at Notre Dame, Willingham answered the call and led the Irish to a 10-3 record and bowl appearance. Bob Davie had been fired as Notre Dame's head coach after the disappointing 5-6 season of 2001. Willingham then replaced George O'Leary, who had been forced to resign because of embellishments on his resume. Willingham would become the first African-American head coach in the history of Notre Dame.« less