Factoid 387 - Knute Rockne’s undefeated 1919 team; why does Notre Dame not claim this as a National Championship?

In 1919 Knute Rockne coached the Notre Dame Fighting Irish to a 9-0 undefeated season. Five teams were awarded the National Championship through one poll or another. Parke H. Davis and the National Championship Foundation awarded Notre Dame the National Championship. Notre Dame does not recognize this championship.

Knute Rockne coached the Fighting Irish from 1918 to 1930. His overall record at Notre Dame was 105–12–5. He also won four National Championships for Notre Dame (1919, 1924, 1929, and 1930), although Notre Dame does not recognize 1919. His 1919 team went undefeated with mostly easy victories and a few close games against Nebraska (14-9) and Army (12-9).

Four other teams were also awarded National Championships that year:

• Centre / 9-0 / Charley Moran / SR
• Harvard / 9–0–1 / Bob Fisher / CFRA, HAF, HS, NCF, PD
• Illinois / 6–1 / Robert Zuppke / BS, CFRA, PD, SR
• Texas A&M / 10–0 / Dana Bible / BR, NCF