Newt Rockne was an influential American football coach and player, best known for his time at the University of Notre Dame. Born on March 4, 1880, he played as a halfback before transitioning to coaching. Rockne is credited with popularizing the forward pass and developing innovative offensive strategies that transformed the game. During his coaching career from 1918 to 1930, Rockne led the Notre Dame Fighting Irish to three national championships and a remarkable winning percentage of .881. He became a legendary figure in college football, and his legacy continues to inspire coaches and players today. Rockne tragically died in a plane crash in 1931.