The man who built a small school football program on Montgomery Road into a national high school powerhouse by the mid-1970s died Monday at age 89. Gerry Faust was Moeller High School's first head coach.

Starting in 1960, Gerry Faust built Archbishop Moeller High School's football program from the ground up. After winning 174 games against just 17 losses, five state titles and 4 national titles, Faust made a remarkable leap — leaving Moeller to become head coach of the Notre Dame Fighting Irish.

Jumping from the high school ranks to lead one of the most storied programs in college football, he lost games but rarely lost hope.