Michael J. Courey (August 11, 1959 – December 11, 2007) was an American football player and a starting quarterback for the University of Notre Dame.
He was born to a teenage mother in Watertown, South Dakota, and at five weeks of age was adopted by Michael and Helen (Schlote) Courey of Sioux City, Iowa.
In his freshman year Courey played halfback for the national champion team, and opened eyes when he completed an option pass for 24 yards in a comeback win at Clemson.
But then coach Dan Devine, who had a reputation for being fickle with his QBs, decided to give the starting job to freshman Blair Kiel, believing the underclassman to have a stronger arm.
Courey earned his degree in business management, and later became president of the International Brotherhood of Painters and Allied Trades Union Local 214 in Sioux City.