This edition of Herb's Archive will feature two excerpts from his notebook labeled: Notes From the Fire House...And Beyond.

Saturday December 14. My birthday. Received three calls from a friend regarding a shake up in the Athletic Department. I said I had heard only that Ara Parseghian was being sought by the Chicago Bears and that, if he went, the Ford Motor Company would continue his commercial contract. Then, at 11 P.M., on a television news program, the story, unconfirmed, that Ara was considering leaving Notre Dame, either to retire from coaching, or to go to the NFL with the Bears or Baltimore Colts. The reaction from the few people I saw very late that Saturday night was one of shock. When I awoke Sunday morning, I looked out of my ACC apartment window toward the football stadium. There was Ara's car in its usual parking space just below my window. I remembered thinking it strange, since the team was not yet practicing or training for its upcoming Orange Bowl game.

Sunday December 15, 1974. At 6:03 P.M. a radio newscast confirmed Ara Parseghian ' s resignation. He was quoted as saying he had no plans to go to the NFL, but would perhaps remain at Notre Dame to help develop the sports program. Rumors began flying. How much did the USC disaster in the final regular season game influence his decision? When, really, did he make up his mind to quit? How about half-time at the USC game; was there any truth to the rumors of a locker room brawl between black and white players? Was Ara interested in succeeding "Moose" Krause? And so on.