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When Notre Dame’s football team takes the field, the players rely on more than just their iconic gold helmets for protection. Many of the athletes wear the TayCo brace, a specialized ankle brace designed by Mike Bean, a long-time Associate Athletic Trainer for the team.
Developed to enhance ankle support, the brace has found widespread adoption, being used by 23 NFL teams and over 80 college programs.
Bean, who has worked with Notre Dame football since 1995, created the brace to address concerns over the limitations of traditional taping.
“A lot of times during the game, we have a player sprain an ankle… I just felt like there was something I could do to be a little bit more protective, a little bit more functional."
His innovation attaches externally to cleats, providing stability and allowing athletes to return to the game more safely.
The brace’s development was a collaborative effort. Bean partnered with South Bend-based companies and sought input from orthopedic surgeon Fred Ferlic ’68, who helped refine the design.
Ferlic’s son, Gavin ’04, now serves as TayCo’s CEO, overseeing the company’s growth, which includes custom-fitting braces for collegiate and professional teams.
Athletes have praised the brace for its impact on their recovery. Notre Dame quarterback Riley Leonard, who wore a TayCo brace after ankle surgery, shared:
“If we didn’t have access to these, I imagine I’d still be in a huge boot.”
Beyond football, TayCo braces are used in lacrosse, baseball, and softball at Notre Dame. The company, which produces the braces in Indiana and Mexico, expects to sell 20,000 units in 2024. Reflecting on the journey from idea to thriving business, Bean said:
“The TayCo journey has far exceeded my expectations.”
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