Evening star., 1959-12-03
WIN, LOSE OR
GNAV By FRANCIS sTANN
Kuhorich of Notre Dame

JOE KUHAR1CH, WHEN he signed four-year con-
tract to return to Notre Dame head just shy
year ago. sat in his living in Arlington and told this
visitor: .-.' --.
This is the elimination of 2O-year dream I
wouldn't have left the Redskins for any other coaching
JOB IN the country college But since helped
coach the freshmen at Note Dame after graduating I've
dreamed of becoming head coach some day
Now the dream has come true, although when Terry
Brennan chosen to succeed Frank Leahy I'd given up
all hope. This was 20 milion-to-1 shot,"
Does this sound like man who'd be shopping around
for new job soon? Hardly Yet there was report
Los Angeles paper that Kuharch told friends that
he unhappy at Notre prefers to return to
pro football that Joe is slated to succeed Sid Gilman
boss of the Rams .t
IN SOUTH BEND as expected Kuharich kissed off the
report under questioning Im not interested in the Rams
job he said simply Its of those stories that
up after every football season"
Which, of course, sounds like it. Barring an
unseen unheard development Kuharich fanaticaly
pro-Notre Dame to make voluntary change appear
ridiculous To be Joe lost five games this season.
that surprise Considering the subpar material and
multiple injuries, the Irish have apologies to make
In fact Notre Dame closed the campaign in blaze of
glory with successive upset wins Iowa and Southern
California to post SIS record Less than three weeks ago.
when the Irish 3-5 games Kuharch visited Wash
ingon and Said I'VE knew would be rough this year.
We just didn't have the material to play such big time
schedule. But We'll get the horses"
He didn't sound like man about to make move
then, than he did that afternoon last December
when happily and dreamily, he remniSced
EVER SINCE was little kid" Joe mused "I walked
four miles every day-later it miles when we moved
Ito watch Notre Dame practice. When old enough
for high school, made the Riley High team in South Bend
as guard, although skinny kid scared that
wouldn't grow big enough to play football at Notre Dame
That is if could get in the school.
+. "In never forget-thiS after graduated from
nigh schoolgong to Elmer LaydenS office to about
scholarship. Layden the coach at the time
II wasn't very important, knew weighed 40 pounds
me wait in he te-
for hours then finally out and gave quick
brush didn't blame him. Why should he offer light
weight like any concessions?"
Joe to increase the sound on his TV receiver,
which tuned to post-season pro Crane But his mind
was in South Bend =.
THE ONLY COLLEGE nbbe got was from Purdue
invited to visit the campus. When my dad heard
about it, he said no. You to Notre Dame you go
where he told My dad wasn't especially religious but
he felt strongly about Notre Dame.
Finally was given scholarship-tuition, nothing
more-by Layden. We didn't have much money in our
family My dad to America from Yugosavia with 10
cents in the pocket of his only pair of pants He'd
miner in Pennsylvania until cave-in killed two of his
buddieS and just missed him. Then he moved to South
Bend and raised a large family
"The scholarship swell, but had to wait tables
TO pay Tor my board and room set the chairs in the
gym for boxing and basketball and took down at or
o'clock in the morning. One summer l stencled all
$4,000 seats in Notre Dame Stadium to pick up little
money
But was happy. was going to Notre Dame In my
sophomore year began to get bigger In my junior and
senior years my varsity letters When graduated
helped coach the freshmen. That's when began to
dream of becoming head coach some day Now am
It's hard to believe"
This is fellow who is going to move elsewhere?