Former Notre Dame Coach Lou Holtz Dies at 89 in Orlando

Lou Holtz Dies at Age 89 in Orlando

Lou Holtz, the former head football coach at the University of Notre Dame who led the Fighting Irish to a national title in 1988, died in Orlando at the age of 89. His family and the university announced his death on Wednesday. His family said Holtz died in Orlando surrounded by family.

Notre Dame Tenure and National Championship

Holtz served as head football coach at Notre Dame from 1986 to 1996. During that period, Notre Dame reported that his teams won 100 games and produced a 23-game winning streak. Under Holtz, Notre Dame recorded the school’s first back-to-back 12-win seasons.

The Fighting Irish finished the 1988 season with a 12-0 record. They concluded that season with a victory in the 1989 Fiesta Bowl and became the consensus national champion.

Holtz left Notre Dame after the 1996 season with an overall record of 100-30-2 at the school.

Career Record and Other Coaching Positions

Across his college football head coaching career, Holtz won 249 games over 33 seasons. In addition to Notre Dame, he held head coaching positions at William & Mary, Arkansas, Minnesota and South Carolina. He also spent one season as head coach of the New York Jets in the National Football League.

At South Carolina, where he had previously been an assistant coach, Holtz posted an 0-11 record in his first season. Over the following two seasons, his teams went 17-7. During that stretch, South Carolina defeated then-No. 9 Georgia in the second game of the 2000 season and recorded two victories over Ohio State in the Outback Bowl.

Statements from Family and Notre Dame

In a statement, Holtz’s family said, “Holtz is remembered for his enduring values of faith, family, service, and an unwavering belief in the potential of others,” and noted that his influence extended beyond football through the Holtz Charitable Foundation and his impact on players, colleagues, and communities.

Notre Dame president the Rev. Robert A. Dowd said in a statement that the university mourns the loss of Lou Holtz and described him as a legendary football coach, a beloved member of the Notre Dame community, and a devoted husband, father and grandfather.

Holtz’s son Skip Holtz stated in a post on X that his father had passed away and was resting peacefully at home.

Notable Decisions and Game Outcomes

During the 1988 season at Notre Dame, Holtz suspended leading rusher Tony Brooks and leading receiver Ricky Watters after they were 40 minutes late to a team meal the night before Notre Dame played then-No. 2 Southern California. Notre Dame went on to win that game 27-10.

While coaching Arkansas, Holtz suspended three starting offensive players for disciplinary reasons prior to a game against then-No. 2 Oklahoma in the Orange Bowl. Arkansas, listed as an 18-point underdog, won that game 31-6.

Early Life and Family

Louis Leo Holtz was born on January 6, 1937, in Follansbee, West Virginia. He played as a 150-pound linebacker at Kent State. In 1960, after his future wife broke off their engagement, he accepted a graduate-assistant coaching position at the University of Iowa. One year later, he married Beth Barcus. They remained married for more than 50 years until her death in 2020.

Honors and Later Career

Holtz was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in 2008. Notre Dame placed a statue of him outside its home football stadium. After leaving Notre Dame, Holtz worked in television, including time in the broadcast booth with CBS and later 11 seasons with ESPN.

In December 2020, President Donald Trump awarded Holtz the Presidential Medal of Freedom, which is described as the country’s highest civilian honor. Holtz spoke at the 2020 Republican National Convention in support of Trump.

In a social media post on Thursday, Trump paid tribute to Holtz and wrote, “Rest in Peace, Lou.”