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Former Notre Dame center Pat Coogan chooses transfer destination

IMG_7504by:Jack Soble•about 10 hours•

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coogan
Notre Dame center Pat Coogan. (Photo by Mike Miller)

Former Notre Dame center Pat Coogan will spend his final season of eligibility at Indiana, he announced Friday evening.

The graduate transfer out of Palos Heights, Ill. chose the Hoosiers over Michigan, and he reportedly had interest from Ole Miss as well. Indiana is looking to build on its shocking run to the College Football Playoff in head coach Curt Cignetti‘s first year at the helm.

In one of the most unlikely stories of the 2024 season, Coogan was the heartbeat of Notre Dame’s run to the national championship game.

He started all 13 games of the 2023 season at left guard, but in fall camp this past season, he was benched in favor of sophomore Sam Pendleton. Coogan began practicing as the second-team center, though, and when the Irish called his number, he was ready.

During Notre Dame’s Week 3 win at Purdue, junior center Ashton Craig was engaged with a block when a stray body fell into his knee. Craig tore his ACL, ending his season and opening the door for Coogan to step in at center. From that point on, No. 78 in blue and gold played the best football of his career.

Coogan allowed 8 quarterback pressures throughout the season, and only 1 sack. He finished with a 79.0 Pro Football Focus pass-blocking grade, which ranked second on the team behind junior guard Billy Schrauth (79.6). He also made the key block on several of Notre Dame’s explosive run plays, climbing to the second level and kicking out linebackers along the way.

Coogan also became famous for his leadership, particularly in the pregame huddle before the offensive line took the field every game. He would fire up his teammates with expletive-laden speeches, which were different every game except for one phrase: “Four quarters of f*** you football.”

Coogan could have checked out after his preseason benching, but he did anything but. He gave everything he had, physically and emotionally, for Notre Dame. In large part due to Coogan’s leadership and strong play, the Irish offensive line improved dramatically throughout the course of the season and helped the team reach the national championship game.

As he sat in the locker room after Notre Dame’s loss to Ohio State on Monday night, Coogan could barely speak but he told Blue & Gold that he had no regrets.

“I have peace of mind, knowing that I gave everything I had, and I know my teammates have the same thing,” Coogan said. “Everyone has peace of mind, knowing they did their very best. We fell short today, but just still damn proud to be part of this team and university.”

Coogan’s exit was likely the result of an impending logjam on the interior offensive line. Craig will be back with three years of eligibility remaining, and the Irish were thrilled about him as their center of the present and future. Coogan was a better center than he was a guard, and the two guard spots will be hotly contested in 2025.

Centers with two years of starting experience on the heels of their best season do not grow on trees, which is why Coogan was a premium commodity in the transfer portal with multiple opportunities to start at Power 4 schools. His heart, though, will always be with Notre Dame.

“I’m just really, really proud of my teammates,” Coogan said. “Really proud of this university. Certainly one of the most resilient teams I’ve ever seen, regardless of college, NFL, sport, just the things we went through. I’m really proud to be a part of it, and it’s something I hold near and dear in my heart forever.”

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