Legendary college football coach Lou Holtz dead at age 89
Legendary College Football Coach Lou Holtz Passes Away at 89
Notre Dame has announced the passing of Lou Holtz, the revered college football coach who guided the Fighting Irish to their most recent national championship in 1988. He was 89 years old. Holtz’s health had been declining in recent months, prompting his family to share that he had transitioned to hospice care in Orlando, Florida.
Throughout his 33-year collegiate coaching journey, Holtz compiled an impressive record of 249 wins, 132 losses, and 7 ties. His tenure at Notre Dame, from 1986 to 1996, saw the team achieve 100 victories with just 30 losses and 2 ties. “We are deeply saddened to learn of Lou Holtz’s passing,” said current Notre Dame coach Marcus Freeman. “His influence at Notre Dame extended far beyond the field. Lou and his wife, Beth, were cherished for their generosity and dedication to the university’s values,” Freeman added.
Coaching Stints and Pro Experience
Holtz’s coaching career spanned multiple programs, including William & Mary, North Carolina State, Arkansas, Minnesota, and South Carolina. During his time at North Carolina State and Arkansas, he briefly ventured into professional football, coaching the New York Jets for a single season with a record of 3-10. After quitting mid-season in 1976, he returned to college coaching, quickly achieving success at Arkansas.
“God did not put Lou Holtz on this Earth to coach in the pros,” he once remarked. “He knew he didn’t have much time left, but that didn’t stop him from filling the room with joy,” recalled ESPN’s Andrea Adelson about Holtz’s final public event in Orlando, where he shared stories with another football icon, Lee Corso.
At Arkansas, Holtz led the Razorbacks to a 60-21-2 record, a feat that remains unmatched by any subsequent coach. His legacy at Notre Dame, however, is unmatched, with five other legendary figures—Knute Rockne, Frank Leahy, Ara Parseghian, and Dan Devine—earning 11 national championships in total.
Notre Dame highlighted Holtz’s enduring impact, noting that the iconic “Play Like A Champion” sign in the team’s locker room was first unveiled during his era. He also pioneered the tradition of removing names from the back of jerseys to focus on team unity, a practice still observed today.
After retiring following the 1996 season, Holtz shifted to sports commentary, working for CBS Sports. However, his passion for coaching resurfaced when he took over a struggling South Carolina program. The team improved from 1-10 in 1998 to a 33-26 record over the next five seasons. He later retired permanently, joining ESPN as an analyst.
Holtz is survived by his four children: Luanne, Lou Jr. (known as “Skip”), Kevin, and Elizabeth. The latter three graduated from Notre Dame, the school noted. His wife, Beth, passed away in 2020 at the age of 82.
