Touchdown Jesus: Faith and Fandom at Notre Dame

In his nuanced account of the 2004 Notre Dame football season that saw the firing of head coach Ty Willingham, Eden, a class of '97 Irish alumni, weaves a story staggering in breadth: the culture at the relatively small university where religion and football have all but merged, the team's expansive and dedicated fanbase, and the relationship of spirituality and sheckels. By visiting tailgate parties where Irish fans-between beers-celebrate Mass, and using postings from Notre Dame fan websites and chatrooms, Eden captures the Notre Dame community's dwindling enthusiasm for Willingham, who, upon his 2002 hiring, was viewed as a ""messiah coach."" But as the 2004 season progressed and a championship slid farther away with each game, fans, benefactors and trustees made clear their unhappiness, and Willingham was fired. Eden plays several interesting angles on the controversial decision, including the impact of the team's successes on merchandising revenue-so lucrative an income that the school has trademarked the word ""Irish."" Neither a love letter to his Alma Mater nor a dirge for the glory that was, this is one of the rare football books that will appeal even to those who've never touched a pigskin.