This claim remains controversial among sports historians, some of whom assign this honor to Farragher's teammate, All-American Louis "Red" Salmon, who served as team captain during the 1902–1903 season.

He was raised in the working-class district of Brier Hill, on the city's near west side, and his family belonged to St. Ann's Roman Catholic Church.

While it remains unclear whether Farragher ever served as head coach of the Notre Dame football team, his name began to appear in official school histories in the 1930s.

One skeptical observer, Murray Sperber, author of Shake Down the Thunder, speculates: "...when N.D. publicists began compiling the history of Notre Dame football, no one could ascertain who had coached in 1902 and 1903.

[5] Despite questions surrounding Farragher's status as coach, he was evidently a major participant in one of Notre Dame football's early "golden ages".