UNDER THE DOME
85 Years Ago: April 13, 1931
Thirteen days after the shocking death
of Notre Dame head coach Knute Rockne
in a plane crash, the Fighting Irish finally
learn that assistant coaches Heartley "Hunk"
Anderson and Jack Chevigny, both former
Rockne players, will work in tandem as the
successors.
The move is prompted on April 10 when
Anderson approaches university president
Rev. Charles O'Donnell, C.S.C., about the pro-
tocol for spring practice. With the campus
still grieving, no steps had been taken to re-
place Rockne — until O'Donnell meets with
320 player candidates plus the two assistants
and lays out the plan that still reflects a stage of denial.
"There will never be a head coach but Rockne at Notre Dame," O'Donnell said. "Anderson will be in
charge, but he will be the senior coach and Jack Chevigny the junior coach. Rockne cannot be displaced
as head coach.
Anniversaries In Notre Dame
Athletics History: April
Hunk Anderson (left) was named "senior coach" in
April 1931, after the death of Knute Rockne (right) in a
plane crash on March 31.
PHOTO COURTESY NOTRE DAME MEDIA RELATIONS
