Breaking: Netflix has finally released State of Pride, a gripping documentary series that delves deeply into the history of Notre Dame Irish football.

In a much-anticipated move, Netflix has released State of Pride, a riveting multi-part documentary series that plunges viewers into the rich, storied history of Notre Dame Fighting Irish football. The series, which premiered to critical acclaim, offers a sweeping yet deeply personal exploration of the traditions, legends, controversies, and enduring legacy of one of college football’s most iconic programs. From the golden helmets to the echoes of Knute Rockne’s speeches, State of Pride captures the essence of Notre Dame football with breathtaking cinematography, rare archival footage, and exclusive interviews.

At the heart of the series lies a simple premise: how has one university in northern Indiana managed to shape, inspire, and influence the American football landscape for over a century? The answer unfolds across eight gripping episodes, each focusing on different eras, personalities, and turning points that have defined Notre Dame’s ascent to gridiron royalty.

The first episode sets the tone with a reverent yet unsparing look at the roots of Notre Dame football. Titled after the university’s motto, God, Country, Notre Dame traces the program’s birth in 1887 and follows its formative years through the eyes of historians and descendants of early players.

What begins as a tale of ambition and Catholic identity evolves into a story of resilience. The filmmakers emphasize how Notre Dame, often viewed with suspicion due to its religious affiliation, leveraged football as a cultural equalizer. “It wasn’t just about winning games,” says Lou Holtz in a sit-down interview. “It was about proving something to the world.” Interviews with theologians, authors, and former players reveal how the school’s devotion to faith and football was, and remains, inextricably linked.

No figure looms larger in Notre Dame lore than Knute Rockne, and the second episode is a full-blown cinematic tribute. From his days as a chemistry professor to becoming one of the most revolutionary coaches in football history, Rockne’s story is told with reverence and modern relevance.

Using newly restored footage, viewers witness the legendary 1924 season and the rise of the “Four Horsemen,” all narrated with dramatic flair. Interviews with Rockne’s grandchildren and football historians underscore his innovative spirit — he practically invented the forward pass — and charismatic leadership. One voiceover captures it best: “Rockne didn’t just win games. He transformed the sport.”

The episode also touches on Rockne’s untimely death in a plane crash in 1931 and the national mourning that followed. A poignant moment comes when a vintage newsreel shows thousands gathered in silence at Notre Dame’s Basilica of the Sacred Heart. The country hadn’t just lost a coach — it had lost a national figure.

This episode shifts to Notre Dame’s post-Rockne struggles and its efforts to retain national relevance amid World War II and the rise of SEC and West Coast powerhouses. It focuses heavily on Frank Leahy, Ara Parseghian, and the team’s resilience through transitions in the broader social and athletic landscape.

The filmmakers skillfully balance nostalgia with historical insight, highlighting how Notre Dame served as a unifying force during times of national turmoil. Parseghian’s 1966 team, which finished with a controversial 10-10 tie against Michigan State, is examined in detail. Former players describe the pressures of wearing the gold helmet during the Vietnam era, when protests against war and authority were rocking campuses across America.

Notre Dame, both conservative and rebellious, found itself at the center of cultural conversations. The episode illustrates how the program remained both an athletic powerhouse and a mirror of the national conscience.

By the 1980s, Notre Dame football was in desperate need of revitalization, and Lou Holtz provided it. This episode centers around the high-octane 1988 national championship season, when the Fighting Irish, led by quarterback Tony Rice, dominated opponents with style and swagger.

What sets this installment apart is its focus on the dynamics between academics and athletics. Holtz is portrayed not merely as a coach, but as a motivator and disciplinarian who walked the tightrope between winning and upholding Notre Dame’s high standards. The documentary does not shy away from criticism — including allegations of cutting corners and controversies over player conduct — but ultimately paints Holtz as a man who brought Notre Dame back into the national spotlight.

Archival locker room speeches and sideline tirades underscore Holtz’s intensity, while interviews with players from the era, including Rice and Rocket Ismail, offer raw, emotional testimony about the pressure and privilege of playing for Notre Dame during its last true dynasty.

A darker and more contemplative chapter, episode five dives into Notre Dame’s struggles in the 1990s and 2000s, when the program cycled through multiple head coaches — Bob Davie, Tyrone Willingham, Charlie Weis — and lost its competitive edge.

The filmmakers allow this episode to breathe with a slower pace, emphasizing the soul-searching that consumed the university. It includes behind-the-scenes footage of contentious coaching hires, boosters losing faith, and recruits choosing other programs. “Notre Dame wasn’t special anymore,” says one former ESPN analyst. “It was just another football school living off its past.”

Yet there are glimmers of hope. Brady Quinn’s heroics and the 2005 Bush Push game vs. USC are dissected with edge-of-your-seat storytelling, reminding viewers that even during decline, Notre Dame’s games were often unforgettable.

With Brian Kelly’s arrival in 2010, Notre Dame football slowly began rebuilding itself. This episode showcases that climb — the undefeated 2012 season, the BCS title game embarrassment against Alabama, and the team’s resurgence in the College Football Playoff era.

Kelly’s tenure is examined with nuance. Though the winningest coach in school history, his tenure lacked a national title. The documentary explores his complicated relationship with the university and his controversial exit for LSU. Still, former players credit him with reestablishing a culture of toughness and discipline.

The heart of the episode is devoted to players like Manti Te’o, whose Heisman-caliber season was tragically overshadowed by a catfishing scandal. Netflix does not flinch in revisiting that saga, but allows Te’o to speak candidly, bringing a human dimension to an infamous episode.

Currently leading the Fighting Irish, Marcus Freeman is presented as the embodiment of modern Notre Dame: young, energetic, diverse, and deeply committed to tradition. This episode provides an intimate look at Freeman’s early struggles and triumphs, from recruiting battles to major wins over Clemson and USC.

What makes this episode standout is its exploration of Freeman’s identity as the school’s second Black head coach and how he is reshaping Notre Dame’s image for a new generation. There are touching scenes of him speaking to recruits’ families, praying with players, and reflecting on the pressure of maintaining a legacy.

Freeman’s candid interviews suggest a coach deeply aware of both the privilege and the burden he carries. “You’re not just coaching a team,” he says. “You’re leading a legacy.”

The series finale is more poetic and philosophical, focusing on what Notre Dame football represents in the broader cultural sense. The episode is structured around game day at South Bend — the band’s early morning march, the fans tailgating, the walk to the stadium, the echoes bouncing through the tunnel.

It’s here that the series becomes something more than a sports documentary. It’s a meditation on belonging, faith, tradition, and excellence. Coaches and players past and present — from Joe Montana and Tim Brown to Jaylon Smith and Sam Hartman — reflect on how wearing the blue and gold changed their lives.

A stirring final montage features past and present moments: snow falling in Notre Dame Stadium, Rudy Ruettiger’s sack, the raising of the “Play Like a Champion Today” sign. As the credits roll, a narrator intones, “Notre Dame is not just a place. It’s a promise. A standard. A sacred tradition.”

Since its release, State of Pride has received widespread praise from critics and fans alike. Rotten Tomatoes lists it with a 98% approval rating, and early reviews call it “the definitive college football documentary.”

Former players, rival coaches, and even SEC fans have taken to social media to applaud its storytelling and production quality. Notre Dame’s official athletics account posted: “Proud to see our story told with such depth, respect, and honesty.”

More importantly, the series has ignited fresh conversation about Notre Dame’s place in the evolving college football landscape, especially in an era of NIL, super conferences, and playoff expansion. The filmmakers leave that question open-ended, but one thing is clear: Notre Dame’s story — in football and in culture — is far from over.

State of Pride is more than just a documentary series. It’s a living time capsule, a love letter to tradition, and a powerful examination of identity through the lens of football. Whether you’re a die-hard Irish fan or a casual viewer, Netflix’s latest sports documentary delivers a compelling, emotional, and unforgettable journey through one of America’s most treasured institutions.

As the Irish prepare for another season under the golden dome, this series ensures that their legacy — and the pride that fuels it — will echo through generations to come.