Tom Lieb grew up in Faribault, Minn., where his family owned and operated a quarry. As a teenager, he pitched rocks for hours on end. Perhaps not surprisingly, he became a superlative discus thrower. Lieb was drawn to Notre Dame at least as much by Knute Rockne’s reputation as coach of track and field than anything football-related.

At Notre Dame, he quickly gained the attention of Rockne, who had been a shot putter among his many events as a competitor. On the football field, Lieb was a versatile 6-foot, 195-pound lineman. Under Rockne’s guidance, Lieb became a force on the national track scene, winning the NCAA discus title in 1922 and 1923, and the AAU national championship in 1923 and 1924.

He qualified for the Paris Olympics in 1924 and came away with the bronze medal. But there was little time to celebrate, or even continue to compete in track. He was expected back on campus, as Rockne had hired him as one of his football assistants for 1924. He worked with the line that picked up the nickname The Seven Mules, in front of The Four Horsemen, during a magical season which ended with a Rose Bowl victory and national championship.

Lieb served as the University of Wisconsin’s line coach in 1926-28, then returned to Notre Dame in 1929. He could not have envisioned what would unfold. Rockne was hit by a debilitating case of phlebitis and had to miss several games. Each time, Tom Lieb stood in as substitute head coach. He emulated Rock, in teaching the finer points of the game, and in his treatment of the players. And each time the Irish prevailed, enroute to a 9-0-0 record and second national title.

Lieb was ready to run his own program, and he found it on the West Coast, taking over at then tiny Loyola University in Los Angeles. Three times in his first five seasons, he led the Lions to a 7-2-1 record. 1934 was typical, with wins over Arizona, Arizona State and Texas Tech, and respectable losses to Santa Clara and UCLA. In nine seasons (1930-38), he posted a record of 47-33-4.

In addition to football and track at Notre Dame, Lieb was also involved in playing for and coaching the fledgling hockey team. And he renewed that interest at Loyola of all places, recruiting skaters from Minnesota and Canada to form an outstanding hockey squad. The Lions developed a fierce rivalry with cross-town foe Southern Cal, drawing as many as 8,000 fans to their games. They also captured several league titles under Lieb’s leadership. 

Sticking with the sunshine theme, Lieb went on to serve as head football coach and athletic director at the University of Florida in 1940-45. Post-war, he finished his coaching career with a stint as Alabama’s line coach and head track coach from 1946-51.

But always, there was Notre Dame. A great love for his alma mater. And tremendous respect for his mentor Rockne.

And so it was on March 31, 1931, with Rockne on a flight from Kansas City to Los Angeles, that it was his great friend Tom Lieb waiting for him to arrive at the LA airfield. Then deeply grieving, along with the nation, upon word of Rock’s death.