Legendary college football coach Lou Holtz dead at 89

Legendary college football coach Lou Holtz, who spent 33 years leading teams, including the Notre Dame Fighting Irish, died Wednesday. He was 89. 

The football team released a statement from Holtz’s family, saying he died surrounded by family at his home in Orlando, Florida. 

“Louis Leo ‘Lou’ Holtz, legendary college football coach, Hall of Famer, bestselling author, and one of America’s most influential motivational voices, has passed away at the age of 89 in Orlando, Florida, surrounded by family,” the statement said. 

“Born January 6, 1937, in Follansbee, West Virginia, Holtz rose from humble beginnings to become one of the most respected figures in college athletics. 

“Over a remarkable five-decade career, he led college programs at William & Mary, N.C. State, Arkansas, Minnesota, Notre Dame, and South Carolina. He transformed every team he inherited and captured the 1988 National Championship with the Fighting Irish. Holtz was preceded in death by his beloved wife of more than 50 years, Beth, with whom he shared a life grounded in faith, devotion, and service.”

Holtz had reportedly entered hospice care in late January. 

As the statement mentioned, Holtz was a national championship winner at Notre Dame, where he had a career record of 110-20-2 over his 11 seasons with the Fighting Irish from 1986-1996. 

The Fighting Irish went a perfect 12-0 during their 1988 championship-winning season, defeating West Virginia, 34-21, in the Fiesta Bowl to secure the top spot in the polls that year. It remains the Fighting Irish’s last football national championship. 

Holtz is also the first coach in NCAA history to bring six different football programs to bowl games, including William & Mary (1969-71), N.C. State (1972-75), Arkansas (1977-83) and South Carolina (1999-2004). The only team he wasn’t able to accomplish the feat with was Minnesota, which he led from 1984-85.

But Holtz was much more than just a football player who played for Kent State before his coaching career began as an assistant in 1960 with the program, kickstarting his journey to an eventual College Football Hall of Fame induction. 

Holtz was prominent as a college football analyst for ESPN, while contributing to 10 books, including notable bestsellers like his autobiography, “Wins, Losses, and Lessons.”

“Holtz is remembered for his enduring values of faith, family, service and an unwavering belief in the potential of others,” the family’s statement continued. “His influence extended far beyond the football field through the Holtz Charitable Foundation and the many players, colleagues, and communities shaped by his leadership. He is survived by his four children, nine grandchildren, and two great grandchildren.”

In recent years, Holtz has been a stern supporter of President Donald Trump, even saying in February 2024 that Trump needed to “coach America back to greatness!”

Near the end of Trump’s first term, shortly after former President Joe Biden defeated him in the 2020 election, Trump awarded Holtz with the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the highest civilian award of the United States. 

“I will say this about Lou: Everybody loves him,” Trump said during the ceremony in December 2020. “Everybody respects him. He’s tough as hell, and yet they all respect Lou. They just — it’s amazing. They love him, and they respect him. Sometimes, it’s a combination that doesn’t come together, you know? They respect, but you are — you are something. ‘I never coached football; I coached life,’ he said. And it’s true. His players really always loved him.”

Holtz, who also spoke at the 2020 Republican National Convention, was humbled by the honor. 

“It’s the highest honor or award you could possibly receive, and I receive it with mixed emotions. First of all, I’m humbled,” Holtz told “Fox & Friends” afterward. “There are many more people far worthy than me, I can assure you. 

“Nobody is more appreciative than me. So, I’m excited to have this opportunity and, at the same time, I’m excited to receive it from President Trump. The president I admire and respect. I think he did a tremendous job.”

At the time, Holtz also called Trump “one of the great presidents of my lifetime.”

Holtz finished his coaching career with a 249-132-7 record in 388 games. He was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in 2008.   

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