Pat Coogan: Notre Dame | Age | Why Did He Leave Notre Dame

Patrick Robert “Pat” Coogan is one of the most compelling stories in recent Notre Dame football history — a gritty offensive lineman, passionate leader, and viral speech-maker who captured the hearts of Irish fans before ultimately transferring to the Indiana Hoosiers for his final season of eligibility. 

In this deep-dive article, we’ll explore:

• Who Pat Coogan is

• His age and background

• Notre Dame football career highlights

• Turning points in his Irish tenure

• Why he eventually left Notre Dame

• What he’s doing now

• Player evaluations

• FAQs about his journey

Who Is Pat Coogan?

Pat Coogan is an American college football player — a towering offensive lineman known for his toughness, leadership, and vocal presence on and off the field. Born on November 18, 2002, Coogan is currently 23 years old as of 2026. 

At 6-foot-5 and roughly 310 pounds, Coogan possesses the prototypical size and athleticism coveted in interior offensive linemen. He started his collegiate career at Notre Dame (2021-2024) before transferring to Indiana University for the 2025 season. 

Early Life and High School Career

Coogan hails from Palos Heights, Illinois, where he grew up in a family passionate about Notre Dame football. His formative years were spent at Marist High School in Chicago, a respected program where he showcased his potential as both a football and baseball player. 

Regarded as a three-star recruit, Coogan fielded offers from powerhouse college programs including LSU, Ohio State, Oklahoma, and Texas A&M before ultimately committing to Notre Dame — his dream destination. 

That Notre Dame tie wasn’t just athletic; it was cultural. Raised in a family of Irish fans, Coogan grew up wearing Notre Dame green and gold on Saturdays long before he ever stepped on campus. 

Notre Dame Career: From Redshirt to Leader

2021 — Redshirt Freshman Season

Coogan’s journey began modestly. As a true freshman, he redshirted — a standard rite of passage for offensive linemen adjusting to college defenses and complex schemes. 

2022 — First Game Action

In 2022, Coogan saw limited action, appearing in a single game — Notre Dame’s blowout win over Boston College — but it was enough to give him a taste of game speed. 

2023 — Breakout Year

The 2023 season marked Coogan’s breakthrough. Named a starter on the offensive line, he played 13 games at left guard and helped anchor one of the most successful Notre Dame rushing attacks in school history. 

That year, the Irish offense ranked among the nation’s best:

• Averaged 39.1 points per game

• Ranked high in both rushing yards and total offense

• Featured a strong line that allowed minimal pressure

His performance earned him a Joe Moore Award semifinalist nod — a prestigious honor for offensive linemen. 

2024 — Emotional Leadership and Playoff Run

Coogan’s most impactful year arguably came in 2024. After Notre Dame’s starting center Ashton Craig suffered a season-ending injury, Coogan stepped into the crucial pivot spot — center — and didn’t look back. 

He started all 13 games, including the Irish’s run to the College Football Playoff, helping anchor an offensive line that was both productive and resilient. 

But perhaps the most unforgettable legacy from his Irish tenure wasn’t purely statistical. Coogan became a viral sensation for his fiery pre-game speeches, where he rallied teammates with raw emotion and unfiltered passion — a personality trait that made him a fan favorite beyond the usual lineman profile. 

Leadership and Personality

Coogan wasn’t just a blocker; he was a leader in the locker room. Coaches and teammates praised his work ethic and infectious zeal. His speeches — some laced with profanity, others with gritty motivation — were widely shared across social and sports media, making him one of the most recognizable Notre Dame characters of his era. 

Why Did Pat Coogan Leave Notre Dame?

One of the biggest questions Notre Dame fans asked in early 2025 was:

Why did Coogan leave the Irish after four years?

Here’s the full context:

1. Final Year of Eligibility

After the 2024 season, Coogan had one year of NCAA eligibility left. Given his redshirt year in 2021 and playing time from 2022-24, he qualified as a graduate transfer and could immediately play elsewhere. 

2. Competition and Playing Time

Despite his pivotal role in 2024, Coogan wasn’t projected as a guaranteed starter heading into 2025 at Notre Dame. The offensive line room was loaded with young talent and returning starters. Several insiders suggested that guaranteed playing time was not assured for Coogan in South Bend.

This reality likely played a role in his transfer decision — not because he lacked loyalty, but because he wanted to play meaningful football in his final season.

3. Emotional and Competitive Factors

Coogan himself framed his decision not as a rejection of Notre Dame, but as a pursuit of opportunity — a place where he could both lead and showcase his skills for NFL scouts and compete at the highest level. He expressed gratitude for his time at Notre Dame and insisted that his love for the university was stronger than personal accolades. 

4. Transfer Portal Entry

In January 2025, Coogan officially entered the NCAA Transfer Portal along with a handful of other Notre Dame players after the Irish fell just short of a national title. 

It’s worth noting that many college players make similar decisions at this stage of the modern college football landscape — especially when factoring in the evolving Name, Image, Likeness (NIL) environment and roster competition.

Choosing Indiana University

Once in the portal, Coogan narrowed his choices and ultimately committed to the Indiana Hoosiers — an in-state Big Ten program that offered a clear path to a starting job and a leadership role.

At Indiana, Coogan transitioned smoothly into the center role and immediately became a central figure — both schematically and emotionally — for the Hoosiers’ offense. 

He reunited with plenty of game-planning responsibilities and quickly grew into a new leadership role in Bloomington. 

Impact at Indiana

At Indiana, Coogan’s experience, leadership, and proven performance paid dividends:

• He became a primary communicator along the offensive line

• Brought college playoff experience to a younger roster

• Served as a game captain throughout the season

• Added to the Hoosiers’ offensive identity both on and off the field 

His vocal presence continued to earn attention, and teammates often credited him for team motivational boosts — showing that his leadership transcended schools.

How Coogan Is Viewed by Analysts

Player evaluators praise Coogan for:

• Technical consistency

• Leadership qualities

• Game intelligence

• Versatility along the interior offensive line

Reports note that despite a modest recruiting rating out of high school, Coogan developed into one of the more reliable interior linemen in college football — a testament to Notre Dame’s development and his own work ethic. 

Pat Coogan: Legacy at Notre Dame

Pat Coogan’s time at Notre Dame may have ended, but his impact remains hard to forget:

• A gritty blocker who stepped into a critical role

• A leader who inspired teammates at some of the biggest moments

• A viral figure whose personality amplified his on-field influence 

To Irish fans, he personified the term “Irish grit” — a player who worked, led, and played with heart.

FAQs About Pat Coogan and His Notre Dame Departure

How old is Pat Coogan?

Answer: Pat Coogan was born on November 18, 2002, making him 23 years old in 2026. 

What position does Pat Coogan play?

Answer: Coogan is an interior offensive lineman, primarily a center with experience at guard. 

Why did Pat Coogan leave Notre Dame?

Answer: Coogan transferred to seek a guaranteed starting role in his final eligible season, and to position himself for future opportunities, including potential NFL interest.

Which team did Pat Coogan transfer to?

Answer: Pat Coogan transferred to the Indiana Hoosiers for the 2025 season.

What was his role at Notre Dame?

Answer: He became the starting center after an injury to the previous starter and helped anchor the offensive line through Notre Dame’s playoff run. 

Is Pat Coogan expected to play in the NFL?

Answer: Coogan has NFL potential due to his size, technique, and leadership; this final season is a key chance to showcase his skills. 

Conclusion

Pat Coogan’s journey — from a three-star recruit to a Notre Dame starter, viral leader, and ultimately a graduate transfer — represents the evolving nature of college football careers today. He proved that perseverance, passion, and leadership can turn a modest recruit into a defining presence at one of the sport’s most storied programs.