Daniel John Devine

Daniel John Devine, died peacefully in his home surrounded by his children on May 9, 2002, joining his beloved wife, Joanne Brookhart Devine, who passed away in December of 2000. Dan Devine was much more than a Hall of Fame football Coach, he was a devoted husband and father, grandfather and great-grandfather, inspiration to and motivator of peple of all ages, mentor, community volunteer, a great champion of ''causes'', an avid storyteller, and a loyal friend. Danny was born December 23, 1924 in Augusta, Wisconsin, to Jerome and Erma Devine. He is survived by his four brothers and three sisters, Beatrice Wykel, Fr. Patrick Devine, Mary Kurtz, Charles Devine, Gregory Devine, Gerald Devine, Deanna O'Mella; his brother, James; and aunt, Mary Devine Johnson, with whom he lived during a part of his youth, preceded him in death. Dan earned a Bachelor's Degree in History from the University of Minnesota, Duluth (UMD), a Master's Degree in Guidance and Counseling from Michigan State University, an Honorary Doctorate of Law Degree from Milton College, and an Honorary Doctorate of Education from the University of Missouri. Grounded in Irish Catholic roots, Danny Devine was raised in Proctor, Minnesota. A four-year, four-sport varsity letterman at Proctor High School, he began his extraordinary sports career as a freshman quarterback of the football team becoming known as ''The Proctor Flash.'' Dan's college education was interrupted by World War II to enlist in the Army Air Corps becoming a Flight Officer training on the B29. Following the war, he attended UMD, where he met and married his college sweetheart, Joanne Brookhart. Dan and Jo were considered the perfect couple and their romance flourished for 54 years. Soon after their marriage the Devine Family journey began with the birth of twins Jennifer and Mary Jo while at UMD, Dede and Dan Jr. ''Tiger'' as an assistant at Michigan State University, Sarah while head coach at Arizona State University, and Lisa and Jill during his years at the University of Missouri. Dan balanced the demands of his successful career while making special time for each one of his children and later in life his grandchildren. Special memories include festive and noisy Christmases, culminating with his reading of the Littlest Angel and elaborate ritual of hanging the stockings, fishing excursions, bowl game trips, bedtime stories and nightly prayers. The annual Thanksgiving Day tradition for the Devines first began with a train ride to Centralia, Missouri and a family football game, which continued through the years. Games sometimes ended with an injury or bruised egos. Family vacations were usually a 2-car adventure with one car in the caravan often getting lost. During winters in Green Bay, you could find him shoveling snow for a competitive game of hockey. Horseback riding and fishing at the family pond in South Bend are fond memories recounted by the children and grandchildren. The family will continue to be drawn to the University of Notre Dame Grotto. And, while lighting a candle in his and their mother's memory, they shall be cheered by Dan's spirit as his voice echoes in their hearts: ''If I had to pick the four most beautiful places in the world, I would choose the Grotto in the Fall, the Grotto in the Winter, the Grotto in the Spring, and the Grotto in the Summer.'' A devout Catholic, Dan made attending Mass a family event. On Sundays, he could be found in the kitchen making blueberry and pecan pancake brunches or playing chef at backyard BBQs. Many Missouri evenings, you could hear Dan and his mother-in-law, Marge, playing a heated game of H-O-R-S-E. He generously opened his home to homesick football players, his extended family, and his children's friends. He loved many types of music including Broadway show tunes, marches, cowboy ballads, and the big bands. He had profound interest in history - particularly the Civil War, World War II, and Native American History. Dan and Jo relished their retirement years in the Arizona Desert, especially enjoying visits from children and grandchildren. A treasured memory was their 50th Anniversry celebration and renewing of their marriage vows. Dan Devine's legendary name evokes laudatory comments from any area of the football map. Many fans at Arizona State University call the three seasons Devine coached the Sun Devils the most important in school history, shaping the profile of the institution. At the University of Missouri, Tiger fans will forever be indebted to Dan Devine for the glorious decade of the sixties and his two stints as Athletic Director. Many fans that made the fall pilgrimage to Green Bay's Lambeau Field remember Devine's second season as head coach, when he led a modestly talented Packer team to an NFC Division Championship. Notre Dame fans will never forget that magnificent 1977 national championship campaign that was ignited by ''the wearing of the green.'' Throughout the years, Dan was active in many service organizations including the Kiwanis Club, Shriner's, National Multiple Sclerosis Society, American Legion, Muscular Dystrophy Association, Knights of Columbus, Missouri Squires, and the Fellowship of Christian Athletes. He served President Ronald Regan by being named to the White House Conference on Drug Abuse. He also generously contributed to Native American Catholic Schools and Missions. During his career Dan received many awards. He was voted Coach of the Decade by the St. Louis Quarterback Club, NFC Coach of the Year in 1972, and the NFL Man of the Year in 1972. He was voted College Coach of the Year by the Washington D.C. Football Writers Association. Other recognitions include: Lifetime Achievement Award from the Multiple Sclerosis Insitute; National Football Foundation Hall of Fame; Coach of the Missouri All-Century Football Team, Missouri Hall of Fame; UMD Hall of Fame; Distinguished Arizonian Award; State of Missouri Sports Hall of Fame; University of Missouri Intercollegiate Athletics Hall of Fame; and the Orange and Gator Bowl Halls of Fame. He also received the Frank Leahy Award for distinguished service to the University of Notre Dame and was the recipient of the John F. Kennedy Award, presented annually to the Irish-American for outstanding contributions in their chosen field. In 1998, the University of Missouri dedicated its new indoor athletic practice facility, the Daniel J. Devine Pavilion. When interviewed about his successes, Dan considered his greatest achievements to be the stellar graduation rates and degrees of his players rather than his coaching record. He was proud of the role he played in providing more opportunities for African-Americans to gain scholarships at ASU and MU. Dan often said, ''Lucky Me''. He felt he was blessed with two families - his ''real'' family and his football family. To our father from his ''real'' family: we are committed to continuing your legacy through our devotion to family, church, community and playing like a champion each day. You really were ''Simply Devine.'' Dad (Grandpa Coach), you will be greatly missed by all of your seven children, Jennifer Husain (Arshad) of Columbia, MO, Mary Jo Carver (Drew) of Phoenix, AZ, Dede Yazzie Devine of Mesa, AZ, Daniel Jr. (Barbara) of Columbia, MO, Sarah Devine-Avery (Bruce) of Phoenix, AZ, Lisa Creagan (Jim) of Decatur, MI and Jill Devine of Gilbert, AZ; 16 grandchildren, Keary, Darius, Kelly, Kristy, Kasey, Danielle, Crystal, JJ, Daniel III, Kathleen, Kelsey, Kyle, Jacob, Arlo, Sam and Jesse; three great-grandchildren, Alex, Joey and Trent. Perhaps the finest tribute to Daniel John Devine was the hundreds of prayers, cards and testimonial letters he received during his long illness. The same sentiment of loving admiration and lifelong inspiration was expressed by his 1980 senior players and inscribed on a plaque presented to him after his final home football game. To Coach Devine - 'What we gave, we have. What we did not give, we've lost forever. Thank you