Printer-Friendly Format     E-mail this article     A 1949 Notre Dame graduate, Terry Brennan played under head coach Frank Leahy. A three-year starter at halfback, he led the Irish in receiving and scoring in 1946 and '47 while rushing for 1,269 career yards.

Terry Brennan

Nov. 17, 2006

By Craig Chval

It's unlikely that today's game between Notre Dame and Army will become etched in college football lore like the scoreless tie between the two teams 60 years ago. Similarly, it's a good bet that this year's contest won't match the significance of the 1947 game.

But that doesn't mean Terry Brennan won't be watching intently.

A three-year starter at halfback on Frank Leahy's celebrated post-World War II Notre Dame teams, Brennan helped save the day in the `46 game between number-one Army and number-two Notre Dame at Yankee Stadium. After Johnny Lujack's famous touchdown-saving, open-field tackle of Heisman Trophy winner Doc Blanchard, the Cadets continued to march to the Notre Dame 11. But Brennan intercepted a halfback option pass thrown by Army's other eventual Heisman Trophy winner, Glenn Davis.

The following season, Brennan returned the game's opening kickoff for a touchdown, sparking a 27-7 rout in Notre Dame Stadium. The Irish went on to finish the season 9-0, claiming their second straight national title.

"Those were big, big games," recalls Brennan. "I still see Johnny Lujack and a lot of the rest of the guys, and those games seem like just yesterday."

Over the years, Brennan renewed acquaintances with legendary Army head coach Red Blaik and many of the former Cadet players.

"When we played, they were like mortal enemies," chuckles Brennan. "But once you get to know them, they're pretty good guys."

Brennan recalls sharing lunch with Blaik and famed sportswriter Red Smith. They reminisced about missed opportunities for both teams in the epic scoreless tie in `46. Blaik wrapped up the post-mortem succinctly. "He said, `You're right, we both screwed up.'"

After winning three straight city championships at Mount Carmel High School in Chicago, Brennan returned to Notre Dame in 1953 to coach the freshman squad under Leahy. He succeeded Leahy as head coach in 1954 and his five-year 32-18 record included 9-1 and 8-2 records his first two seasons that ranked the Irish fourth and ninth, respectively, in the final Associated Press polls.

Following his coaching tenure, Brennan worked as an expert commentator during football telecasts. He continues to watch games with an analytical perspective.

"It's inevitable, having played and coached for so many years," Brennan says.

Brennan offers a different view from those who claim college football is radically different than it was in the 40's and 50's.

"It really hasn't changed much at all, other than the fact that we had that silly one-platoon game when I was coaching," he says.

"But they just use different names for the same defenses," Brennan explains.

"We used to play a 6-1 defense, but our ends played both ways, and were able to drop off into pass coverage, so it was just like a 4-3 today."

After retiring from the financial industry, Brennan bought a network of sports talk radio stations along with one of his sons. Since selling the network, Brennan spends most of his time attending sporting events and music recitals - juggling his schedule to keep up with six children, 24 grandchildren and two great-grandchildren, all living in the general vicinity of his suburban Chicago home.

"It's great when you're no longer paying the tuition," he laughs.