Coach for a Nation: The Life and Times of Knute Rockne

by Jim Lefebvre

He transformed the game of football, gained a legion of followers, and inspired a generation. Knute Rockne's rise from immigrant child to Notre Dame coaching legend to revered national figure speaks to the endless possibilities of the human spirit. Rockne's visionary genius and engaging personality made Notre Dame football a household name from coast to coast. He helped create a new game, wide open and more appealing to fans, then taught it to coaches everywhere. Upon his shocking death in 1931, the outpouring of sentiment was unprecedented. WINNER - BRONZE MEDAL 2014 INDEPENDENT PUBLISHER BOOK AWARDS (THE IPPY'S) SPORTS/
RECREATION/FITNESS

512 pages, Paperback

First published December 9, 2013

About the author

Jim Lefebvre, award-winning journalist and sports historian, is the author of "Loyal Sons: The Story of The Four Horsemen and Notre Dame Football's 1924 Champions" published by Great Day Press.

"Loyal Sons" is the first book-length treatment of this famous team and its coast-to-coast odyssey to win Notre Dame's first national championship.

"Loyal Sons" is a compelling read for all fans of college football history, and a must for followers of Notre Dame."

Reviews

[Mike Baker · Rating 5 out of 5]

Just an outstanding book, chock full of details of Rockne’s life and also Lefebvre weaves historical context. Any fan of Notre Dame, fan of Knute Rockne, fan of impactful coaches, or just someone interested in a great biography will be glad they read this book!

[Ted Hinkle · Rating 5 out of 5]

Jim LeFebvre's "Coach for a Nation" is a study of faith, football, University of Notre Dame, and a biography of Knute Rockne with a thorough composite of American history from the Norwegian immigration to Chicago world's fair and through World War I. Can a book get much better than that? ....loving every page! ... American history fills this biography of a football legend.
"Coach for a Nation: The Life and Times of Knute Rockne" is the definitive story of Rockne and complete history of early twentieth century America, a must read for Rockne, ND, and history devotees. LeFebvre's book, released December 2014, took ten years to produce. It was well worth the wait. Coach for a Nation, a 5 plus star rating, will sit on my shelf until a second read or to be shared with fellow Rockne and Irish fans.