Entering the portal was a heavy moment for former Notre Dame offensive lineman Pat Coogan, a lifelong Irish fan who attended his first game in South Bend at six years old.

Coogan kept his 'eyes forward' after losing his starting job, but ended back in the lineup and helped the Irish reach the CFP championship game.

Indiana football coach Curt Cignetti made several moves on the recruiting trail that showed Coogan the Hoosiers valued his leadership and talent.

BLOOMINGTON — Pat Coogan made the 90-mile trek across I-90 to Notre Dame Stadium for the first time when he was 6 years old.

A family photo from that season sits on the desk in his dad’s office. His affinity for the school was passed on from one generation of Coogans to the next, like many Irish-Catholic families from the South Sid

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