Legendary college football coach Lou Holtz has passed away at the age of 89.
Best known for his 11 seasons at Notre Dame Fighting Irish, Holtz compiled a 100–30–2 record and led the team to a perfect 12–0 season and national championship in 1988. Known for his disciplined, no-nonsense leadership, he was admired not only as a coach but also as a mentor who inspired players on and off the field.
Holtz entered hospice care in January, and his family remembered him for his strong values of faith, family, and service. Throughout his career, which included coaching stints at Arkansas, NC State, Minnesota, South Carolina, and the New York Jets, he became known for transforming struggling programs into contenders.
He finished with a 249–132–7 record and was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in 2008. A devoted Catholic and family man, Holtz was married to his wife Beth for nearly 60 years before her passing in 2020. He is survived by four children, nine grandchildren, and two great-grandchildren.
After retiring from coaching, he became a popular broadcaster and in 2020 received the Presidential Medal of Freedom from Donald Trump.
Holtz is remembered not just for winning games, but for teaching life lessons and impacting countless players and fans.