Father Ted Hesburgh: He Coached Me

A personal portrait of a Notre Dame legend and his profound impact on sports, civil rights, and the Catholic faith.

The University of Notre Dame is revered as a beacon of Catholic higher learning. At the heart of its modern reputation stands Father Theodore Hesburgh, president from 1952 to 1987, whose influence rippled far beyond campus.

Digger Phelps, Notre Dame’s basketball coach for two decades, offers an intimate glimpse into his unlikely friendship with Father Ted. From locker room talks to private dinners, Phelps reveals the leadership lessons and spiritual guidance he received. Discover the story of a man who shaped a university, championed civil rights, and inspired a generation to serve a world in need.

• Learn about Father Ted's work with presidents and civil rights leaders.
• Understand the core values that shaped Notre Dame's culture.
• Be inspired by a life dedicated to faith, education, and social justice.

For Notre Dame alumni, Catholics, and anyone seeking inspiration, this memoir unveils the private moments of a man Digger Phelps calls “a living saint.”

Richard “Digger” Phelps won 393 games in 20 seasons as the men's basketball coach at the University of Notre Dame. Since his retirement from coaching, he provided national commentary on college basketball for CBS and ESPN. Phelps lives in South Bend, Indiana, near the Notre Dame campus. Tim Bourret is the football Sports Information Director for the Clemson Sports Communications Office. A Notre Dame alum, he previously worked in the Notre Dame sports information office and traveled with Digger Phelps and the Fighting Irish to the 1978 Final Four. He is the coauthor of Tales from the Notre Dame Fighting Irish Locker Room and Basketball for Dummies. He lives in Seneca, South Carolina