This article is about the American football coach. For other people named Lou Holtz, see Lou Holtz (disambiguation).

Lou Holtz
Holtz in 2007
Biographical details
Born (1937-01-06)January 6, 1937
Follansbee, West Virginia, U.S.
Died March 4, 2026(2026-03-04) (aged 89)
Orlando, Florida, U.S.
Playing career
1956–1957 Kent State
Position Linebacker
Coaching career (HC unless noted)
1960 Iowa (assistant)
1961–1963 William & Mary (assistant)
1964–1965 Connecticut (assistant)
1966–1967 South Carolina (assistant)
1968 Ohio State (assistant)
1969–1971 William & Mary
1972–1975 NC State
1976 New York Jets
1977–1983 Arkansas
1984–1985 Minnesota
1986–1996 Notre Dame
1999–2004 South Carolina
Head coaching record
Overall 249–132–7 (college)
3–10 (NFL)
Bowls 12–8–2
Accomplishments and honors
Championships
  • National (1988)
  • SoCon (1970)
  • ACC (1973)
  • SWC (1979)
Awards
  • 2× Paul "Bear" Bryant Award (1977, 1988)
  • 2× Eddie Robinson Coach of the Year (1977, 1988)
  • 2× Sporting News College Football COY (1977, 1988)
  • Walter Camp Coach of the Year Award (1977)
  • 2× Woody Hayes Trophy (1977, 1988)
  • ACC Coach of the Year (1972)
  • SWC Coach of the Year (1979)
  • SEC Coach of the Year (2000)
  • Presidential Medal of Freedom (2020)
College Football Hall of Fame
Inducted in 2008 (profile)

Louis Leo Holtz (January 6, 1937 – March 4, 2026) was an American college football coach and television analyst. He served as the head football coach at the College of William & Mary (1969–1971), North Carolina State University (1972–1975), the New York Jets (1976), the University of Arkansas (1977–1983), the University of Minnesota (1984–1985), the University of Notre Dame (1986–1996), and the University of South Carolina (1999–2004), compiling a career college head coaching record of 249–132–7.

Holtz's 1988 Notre Dame team went 12–0 with a victory in the Fiesta Bowl and was the consensus national champion. Holtz is the only college football coach to lead six different programs to bowl games and the only coach to guide four different programs to the final top 15 rankings.[1] After retiring from coaching, Holtz worked as a TV college football analyst for CBS Sports in the 1990s and ESPN from 2005 until 2015. Holtz was elected to the College Football Hall of Fame in 2008.[2]

Early life

Holtz was born on January 6, 1937 in Follansbee, West Virginia, the son of Anne Marie (Tychonievich) and Andrew Holtz, a bus driver.[3][4] His father was of German and Irish descent, while his maternal grandparents were emigrants from Chernobyl, Ukraine.[5][6]

Holtz grew up in East Liverpool, Ohio, and graduated from East Liverpool High School in 1954.[7] He then attended Kent State University, where he was a member of the Delta Upsilon fraternity and was a walk-on for the Kent State football team.[7] He worked part-time at the East Liverpool Review to afford attending college.[7] Holtz also trained under Kent State's U.S. Army Reserve Officers' Training Corps and earned a commission as a Field Artillery Officer in the United States Army Reserve.[1] Holtz graduated in 1959 with a bachelor's degree in history.[1] He then received a master's degree in arts and education from the University of Iowa in 1961.[8]

Career

Holtz began his coaching career in 1960 as a graduate assistant at Iowa, where he received his master's degree.[9] From there, he made stops as an assistant at William & Mary (1961–1963), Connecticut (1964–1965), South Carolina (1966–1967) and Ohio State (1968).[10] The 1968 Ohio State team won a national championship with Holtz as an assistant.[11]

William & Mary

Holtz's first job as head coach came in 1969 at the College of William & Mary, who played in the Southern Conference at that time. He led the 1970 William & Mary Indians (now Tribe) to the Southern Conference title and a berth in the Tangerine Bowl.[12]

North Carolina State

In 1972, Holtz moved to North Carolina State University and had a 33–12–3 record in four seasons. His first three teams achieved final Top 20 rankings including a final Top 10 finish in the 1974 Coaches Poll. His 1973 team won the ACC Championship. His Wolfpack teams played in four bowl games, going 2–1–1.[12] Following the 1975 season, Holtz accepted an offer to leave college football and become the head coach of the NFL's New York Jets.

New York Jets

Holtz's lone foray into the NFL professional ranks began when he was appointed head coach of the New York Jets on February 10, 1976. He was selected over Johnny Majors, Darryl Rogers, and Marv Levy.[13] Holtz resigned ten months later on December 9 with the Jets at 3–10 and one game remaining in the 1976 season.[9][11] Upon his departure, he lamented, "God did not put Lou Holtz on this earth to coach in the pros."[14]

Arkansas

Holtz went to the University of Arkansas as the new head football coach in 1977. In his seven years there, the Razorbacks compiled a 60–21–2 record and reached six bowl games.[15][16] In his first season at Arkansas, he led the 1977 Razorbacks to a berth in the 1978 Orange Bowl against the Oklahoma Sooners, then coached by University of Arkansas alumnus Barry Switzer.[12] The Sooners were in position to win their third national championship in four seasons after top-ranked Texas lost earlier in the day to fifth-ranked Notre Dame in the Cotton Bowl Classic. Arkansas' chances looked slim after the team lost several key personnel just before the game. In one of his last practices, All-American guard, Leotis Harris suffered a season-ending injury, and only a couple of days later Holtz suspended both starting running backs, Ben Cowins and Michael Forrest, and top receiver, Donny Bobo, for disciplinary reasons.[17] However, behind an Orange Bowl record of 205 yards rushing from reserve running back Roland Sales the Hogs defeated the Sooners, 31–6.[18][19][20] That team was recognized by the Rothman (FACT) poll as co-national champions, along with Texas and Notre Dame for 1977.[21] Holtz was widely considered to be the leading candidate to replace Woody Hayes at Ohio State in 1979, but Holtz did not pursue the job because he did not want to follow Hayes.[22][23]

After a 9-2-1 record with the 1978 Razorbacks and a tie in the 1978 Fiesta Bowl against UCLA,[24] Holtz led the 1979 Razorbacks to a 10–2 record and a share of the SWC championship in 1979.[25] His 1980 team slipped to 7-5 but beat Tulane in the Hall of Fame Classic,[26] and his 1981 squad finished 8-4 after losing to North Carolina in the Gator Bowl.[27] Holtz and his 1982 Hogs finished with a 9-2-1 record after a Bluebonnet Bowl victory over Florida.[28]

Holtz was then dismissed following a 6–5 1983 campaign. At the time, athletic director Frank Broyles stated that Holtz had resigned because he was "tired and burned out", and was not fired.[29] When the university was sued in 2004 in a federal discrimination lawsuit involving Nolan Richardson, Broyles testified about his practices as athletic director that cited Holtz's firing as an example, stating that he had fired Holtz because he was losing the fan base with things he said and did.[30] Holtz confirmed that he had been fired, but that Broyles never gave him a reason,[31] although reports cited his political involvement as a major reason: controversy arose over his having taped two television advertisements from his coach's office endorsing the re-election of Jesse Helms as Senator from North Carolina at a time when Helms was leading the effort to block Martin Luther King Jr. Day from becoming a national holiday.[32][33]

Minnesota

Holtz accepted the head coaching job at the University of Minnesota before the 1984 season.[20] The 1983 Golden Gophers had only won one game vs. Rice in 1983, but under Holtz 1984 team won four games including 3 in the Big Ten. The 1985 team was 7-5 and were invited to the 1985 Independence Bowl, where they defeated Clemson, 20–13. Holtz did not coach the Gophers in that bowl game, as he had already accepted the head coaching position at Notre Dame.[12] His contract purportedly included a "Notre Dame clause" that allowed him to leave if that coaching job were to become available.[34]

Holtz's tenure at Minnesota was not without controversy. Just prior to the 1991 Orange Bowl, the NCAA implicated the Holtz-era Golden Gophers for recruiting violations. Sanctions handed down in March 1991 included a bowl ban in 1992 for the Golden Gophers and "two more years ... [of] continued probation".[35][36]

Notre Dame

See also: 1988 Notre Dame vs. Miami football game

In 1986, Holtz left Minnesota to take over the then-struggling Notre Dame Fighting Irish football program.[20] A taskmaster and strict disciplinarian, Holtz had the names removed from the backs of the players' jerseys when he took over at Notre Dame, wanting to emphasize team effort.[citation needed] With the exception of select bowl games, names have not been included on Notre Dame's jerseys since. Although his 1986 squad posted an identical 5–6 mark to the one that the 1985 edition had, five of their six losses were by a combined total of 14 points.[37] In the season finale against their archrival USC Trojans, Notre Dame overcame a 17-point fourth-quarter deficit and pulled out a 38–37 win.[37]

In his second season, Holtz led the 1987 Fighting Irish to an appearance in the 1988 Cotton Bowl Classic, where the Irish lost to the Texas A&M Aggies, 35–10.[37] The following year (1988), Notre Dame won all eleven of their regular season games and defeated the third-ranked West Virginia Mountaineers, 34–21, in the Fiesta Bowl, claiming the national championship.[11] During that season, on October 15, Notre Dame upset the top-ranked Miami Hurricanes, ending their 36-game regular season game winning streak, in what is widely known as the "Catholics vs. Convicts" game.[38] The game is considered one of the most memorable games in all of college football history.[39][40][41]

The 1989 squad also won their first eleven games (and in the process set a school record with a 23-game winning streak[37]) and remained in the No. 1 spot all season until losing to Miami in the season finale.[citation needed] A 21–6 win over No. 1 Colorado in the Orange Bowl gave the Irish a second-place ranking in the final standings, as well as back-to-back 12-win seasons for the first time in school history.[citation needed]

Holtz's 1993 Irish team ended the season with an 11–1 record and ranked second in the final AP poll. Although the Florida State Seminoles were defeated by the Irish in a battle of unbeatens during the regular season and both teams had only one loss at season's end (Notre Dame lost to seventeenth-ranked Boston College), FSU was then voted national champion in the final 1993 AP and Coaches Poll. Between 1988 and 1993, Holtz's teams posted an overall 64–9–1 record.[37] He also took the Irish to bowl games for nine consecutive seasons, still a Notre Dame record.[37]

Following an investigation in 1999, the NCAA placed Notre Dame on two years probation for extra benefits provided to football players between 1993 and 1999 by Kim Dunbar, a South Bend bookkeeper involved in a $1.4 million embezzlement scheme at her employer, as well as one instance of academic fraud that occurred under Holtz's successor, Bob Davie. The NCAA found that Holtz and members of his staff learned of the violations but failed to make appropriate inquiry or to take prompt action, finding Holtz's efforts "inadequate".[42][43]

Occasionally, despite his lack of success with the New York Jets, he was rumored to be leaving Notre Dame for the NFL. Following a 6–10 season in 1990 and an 8–8 showing in 1991, the Minnesota Vikings were rumored to be going to replace Jerry Burns with Holtz. However, Holtz denied these rumors each of those two seasons. Holtz remained at Notre Dame; the Vikings, meanwhile, hired Dennis Green to replace the retired Jerry Burns.[44][45]

On September 13, 2008, Lou Holtz was invited back to the campus where a statue of the former coach was unveiled. The ceremony took place during the weekend of the Notre Dame/ Michigan game, almost twenty-two years to the day after Holtz coached his first Notre Dame team against the Wolverines.[citation needed]

First retirement

Lou Holtz left Notre Dame after the 1996 season. He compiled a record of 100–32–2, which was second in career victories at Notre Dame, behind Knute Rockne[20] (both have been surpassed by Brian Kelly).[46] He also led Notre Dame to nine consecutive major bowl games, winning five of them.[20]

In 1996, two members of the Minnesota Vikings's ownership board, Wheelock Whitney and Jaye F. Dyer, reportedly contacted Holtz. They wanted to bring him in to replace Dennis Green.[47] Of the rumors surrounding the reasons for Holtz's retirement, one of them was the possible Vikings head coaching position.[48]

South Carolina

After two seasons as a commentator for CBS Sports, Holtz came out of retirement in 1999 and returned to the University of South Carolina,[20] where he had been an assistant in the 1960s. The year before Holtz arrived, the Gamecocks went 1–10, and the team subsequently went 0–11 during Holtz's first season.[10] In his second season, South Carolina went 8–4, winning the Outback Bowl over the heavily favored Ohio State Buckeyes. The eight-game improvement from the previous year was the best in the nation in 2000 and the third best single-season turnaround in NCAA history.[49] It also earned National Coach of the Year honors for Holtz from Football News and American Football Coaches Quarterly.[10] In his third season, Holtz's success continued, leading the Gamecocks to a 9–3 record and another Outback Bowl victory over Ohio State. The nine wins for the season were the second highest total in the history of the program. Under Holtz's leadership, the Gamecocks posted their best two-year mark in school history from 2000 to 2001, going 17–7 overall and 10–6 in SEC play.[12]

After consecutive 5–7 campaigns in 2002 and 2003,[50][51] Holtz finished his South Carolina tenure on a winning note with a 6–5 record in 2004.[52] Holtz's time in Columbia saw the resurrection of Gamecock Football, as the program had only one bowl win and no Top 25 finishes in the ten years before his hire. Upon his exit, USC had posted AP Top 25 finishes in 2000 and 2001 (#19 and No. 13 respectively) and had made consecutive New Year's Day bowls for the first time in its history.[citation needed] Holtz finished his six-year tenure at South Carolina with a 2–4 record versus his former team,[citation needed] Arkansas, beating the Razorbacks in Columbia, South Carolina in 2000 and 2004.

In 2005, the NCAA imposed three years probation and reductions in two scholarships on the program for ten admitted violations under Holtz, five of which were found to be major. The violations involved improper tutoring and off-season workouts, as well as a lack of institutional control. No games were forfeited, nor was a television or post-season ban was imposed. Holtz issued a statement after the sanctions were announced stating, "There was no money involved. No athletes were paid. There were no recruiting inducements. No cars. No jobs offered. No ticket scandal."[53][54]

Second retirement

On November 18, 2004, Holtz announced that he would retire at the end of the season. On November 20, 2004, a major brawl took place during Holtz's last regular season game against Clemson.[55] Instead of ending his career at a post-season bowl game, which was expected, the two universities announced that each would penalize their respective football programs for their unsportsmanlike conduct by declining any bowl game invitations.[55] At his last press conference as South Carolina's coach, Holtz said "Isn't it a heck of a note, Lou Holtz is going to be remembered along with Woody Hayes for having a fight at the Clemson game".[56]

Broadcasting

Holtz worked for CBS Sports as a college football analyst and in the same capacity for the cable network ESPN. He worked on the secondary studio team, located in Bristol, Connecticut as opposed to the game site. He typically appeared on pregame, halftime, and postgame shows of college football games. In addition, he appeared on College Football Scoreboard, College Football Final, College Football Live, SportsCenter, and the occasional game. He typically partnered with Rece Davis and Mark May.[citation needed] Holtz came under scrutiny after referencing Adolf Hitler in an on-air comment while appearing on College Football Live in 2008.[57][58] In his analysis of Michigan Wolverines head coach Rich Rodriguez, Holtz stated sarcastically, "Ya know, Hitler was a great leader, too." The next day, Holtz apologized for the comment during halftime of a game between Clemson and Georgia Tech.[59] On April 12, 2015, it was reported by SB Nation that Holtz was leaving ESPN.[60]

Personal life

Holtz was married to Beth Barcus from July 22, 1961, until her death from cancer on June 30, 2020.[61] At the time of his death, Holtz resided in Lake Nona Golf & Country Club in Orlando, Florida. He and Beth had four children together, three of whom are Notre Dame graduates.[62] One of his sons, Skip, is also a football coach.[11]

Holtz was on the Catholic Advisory Board of the Ave Maria Mutual Funds, and gave motivational speeches.[citation needed] He was a member at the Augusta National Golf Club in Augusta, Georgia.[63] On June 23, 2015, Holtz's Lake Nona home was damaged by a house fire that was most likely triggered by a lightning strike.[64]

On January 30, 2026, a family member of Holtz announced that he entered into end-of-life hospice care in Orlando.[65][66] On March 4, Holtz died at the age of 89.[10][67]

Political views

Holtz was long active in Republican Party politics, including his support for Jesse Helms, hosting former Vice President Dan Quayle during a 1999 fundraising tour,[68] speaking at a 2007 House Republicans strategy meeting,[69] and considering entering the Republican primary for a congressional seat in Florida in 2009.[70] However, he also made a contribution of $2,300 to the campaign of Democratic Party presidential candidate Hillary Clinton in 2008.[71] In 2016, Holtz endorsed Donald Trump for president.[72] In 2020, Holtz voiced his support for former University of Notre Dame professor and alum, Amy Coney Barrett's nomination to the United States Supreme Court.[73] He often appeared on Hannity on the Fox News Channel.[citation needed]

On August 26, 2020, Holtz spoke at the Republican National Convention endorsing Donald Trump for re-election. During his address at the 2020 Republican National Convention, Holtz said that Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden was "a Catholic in name only."[74] The University of Notre Dame also released a statement the following day to distance itself from Holtz's comment regarding Biden.[75]

Holtz was vocal about his disapproval of Colin Kaepernick taking a knee during the United States national anthem before NFL games and NFL commissioner Roger Goodell allowing players to do so. Holtz told Scoop B Radio's Brandon Scoop B Robinson that players should go to inner city neighborhoods and be influential in their community rather than kneeling.[76]

Holtz appeared as himself in a Discover Card commercial in November 2011.[77] A 1994 episode of Coach had the protagonist Hayden Fox covertly traveling to a nation under sanction from the United States in an attempt to sign a native who is an incredible place kicker, only to find Lou Holtz has beaten him to the punch, signing the kicker for Notre Dame.[citation needed] Holtz also played himself in the movie The Blind Side.[citation needed]

Honors

Holtz receiving the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2020

Holtz was elected to the College Football Hall of Fame in 2008.[2] He was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom by President Donald Trump on December 3, 2020.[78] Holtz was also elected to the Arkansas Sports Hall of Fame in 1983 and the Cotton Bowl Hall of Fame in 2012.[79] He received the Golden Plate Award of the American Academy of Achievement in 1990.[80] The Upper Ohio Valley Museum & Learning Center at the Lou Holtz Hall of Fame was established in his hometown of East Liverpool, Ohio, which inducted him as part of its inaugural class in 1998.[81]

Holtz was awarded numerous honorary degrees. He was presented an honorary Doctor of Laws from the University of Notre Dame on May 22, 2011.[82] Holtz was also awarded an honorary Doctor of Education from the University of South Carolina on December 17, 2012. Holtz was awarded an honorary Doctor in Public Service from Trine University and elected to the board of trustees in 2011.[83] Trine also honored Holtz in 2013 by naming a program the Lou Holtz Master of Science in Leadership Program.[84] He was also presented an honorary Doctorate in Communications from Franciscan University of Steubenville on May 9, 2015, and delivered a commencement address.[85]

Head coaching record

College

Year Team Overall Conference Standing Bowl/playoffs Coaches# AP°
William & Mary Indians (Southern Conference) (1969–1971)
1969 William & Mary 3–7 2–2 4th
1970 William & Mary 5–7 3–1 1st L Tangerine
1971 William & Mary 5–6 4–1 2nd
William & Mary: 13–20 9–4
NC State Wolfpack (Atlantic Coast Conference) (1972–1975)
1972 NC State 8–3–1 4–1–1 2nd W Peach 17
1973 NC State 9–3 6–0 1st W Liberty 16
1974 NC State 9–2–1 4–2 2nd T Astro-Bluebonnet 9 11
1975 NC State 7–4–1 2–2–1 4th L Peach
NC State: 33–12–3 16–5–2
Arkansas Razorbacks (Southwest Conference) (1977–1983)
1977 Arkansas 11–1 7–1 2nd W Orange 3 3
1978 Arkansas 9–2–1 6–2 2nd T Fiesta 10 11
1979 Arkansas 10–2 7–1 T–1st L Sugar 9 8
1980 Arkansas 7–5 3–5 6th W Hall of Fame Classic
1981 Arkansas 8–4 5–3 4th L Gator 16
1982 Arkansas 9–2–1 5–2–1 3rd W Astro-Bluebonnet 8 9
1983 Arkansas 6–5 4–4 5th
Arkansas: 60–21–2 37–18–1
Minnesota Golden Gophers (Big Ten Conference) (1984–1985)
1984 Minnesota 4–7 3–6 8th
1985 Minnesota 6–5 4–4 6th Independence[n 1]
Minnesota: 10–12 7–10
Notre Dame Fighting Irish (Independent) (1986–1996)
1986 Notre Dame 5–6
1987 Notre Dame 8–4 L Cotton 17
1988 Notre Dame 12–0 W Fiesta 1 1
1989 Notre Dame 12–1 W Orange 3 2
1990 Notre Dame 9–3 L Orange 6 6
1991 Notre Dame 10–3 W Sugar 12 13
1992 Notre Dame 10–1–1 W Cotton† 4 4
1993 Notre Dame 11–1 W Cotton† 2 2
1994 Notre Dame 6–5–1 L Fiesta†
1995 Notre Dame 9–3 L Orange† 13 11
1996 Notre Dame 8–3 21 19
Notre Dame: 100–30–2
South Carolina Gamecocks (Southeastern Conference) (1999–2004)
1999 South Carolina 0–11 0–8 6th (Eastern)
2000 South Carolina 8–4 5–3 2nd (Eastern) W Outback 21 19
2001 South Carolina 9–3 5–3 3rd (Eastern) W Outback 13 13
2002 South Carolina 5–7 3–5 4th (Eastern)
2003 South Carolina 5–7 2–6 4th (Eastern)
2004 South Carolina 6–5 4–4 3rd (Eastern)
South Carolina: 33–37 19–29
Total: 249–132–7
      National championship         Conference title         Conference division title or championship game berth
  • †Indicates Bowl Coalition or Bowl Alliance bowl.
  • #Rankings from final Coaches Poll.
  • °Rankings from final AP Poll.

[86]

NFL

Team Year Regular season Postseason
Won Lost Ties Win % Finish Won Lost Win % Result
NYJ 1976 3 10 0 .231 4th in AFC East – – – –
Total 3 10 0 .231 – – –
Overall Total 3 10 0 .231 NFL Championships (0)

Publications

Holtz wrote or contributed to 10 books:

  • Holtz, Lou (1974). The Grass Is Greener. [The author]. OCLC 41773996.
  • Holtz, Lou; Dugan, Donald (1978). Holtz' Quotes. [s.l: s.n.] OCLC 4468721.
  • Holtz, Lou (1978). The Offensive Side of Lou Holtz. [s.l: s.n.] OCLC 4851306.
  • Holtz, Lou (1980). The Kitchen Quarterback. Little Rock, Arkansas: Parkin Prtng. Co. OCLC 6714133.
  • Holtz, Lou; Heisler, John (1989). The Fighting Spirit: A Championship Season at Notre Dame. New York: Pocket Books. ISBN 978-0-671-67673-5. OCLC 20180739.
  • Holtz, Lou (1998). Winning Every Day: The Game Plan for Success. New York: HarperBusiness. ISBN 978-0-88730-904-5. OCLC 39451210.
  • Holtz, Lou; Carpenter, Monte (2002). Quotable Lou: The Wit, Wisdom, and Inspiration of Lou Holtz, College Football's Most Colorful and Engaging Coach. Nashville, Tenn: TowleHouse Pub. ISBN 978-1-931249-18-8. OCLC 49942729.
  • Holtz, Lou (2002). A Teen's Game Plan for Life. Notre Dame, Ind: Sorin Books. ISBN 978-1-893732-53-7. OCLC 49519284.
  • Alvarez, Barry; Lucas, Mike; Holtz, Lou; Patterson, James (2006). Don't Flinch: Barry Alvarez, the Autobiography : the Story of Wisconsin's All-Time Winningest Coach. Champaign, IL: KCI Sports Ventures. ISBN 978-0-9758769-7-8. OCLC 71325993.
  • Holtz, Lou (2006). Wins, Losses, and Lessons: An Autobiography. New York: Wm. Morrow. ISBN 978-0-06-084080-8. OCLC 65165505.
  • Holtz, Lou (2019). Three Rules for Living a Good Life: A Game Plan for After Graduation. Notre Dame: Ave Maria Press. ISBN 978-1-59471-906-6.

See also

  • List of college football career coaching wins leaders
  • List of NFL head coaches

Notes

  1. ^ Holtz left Minnesota for Notre Dame before the Independence Bowl, which was coached by John Gutekunst.

References

  1. ^ a b c "Remembering Lou Holtz, '59". Kent State Today. Kent State University. March 4, 2026. Retrieved March 4, 2026.
  2. ^ a b "Aikman, Cannon, Holtz head for College Football Hall of Fame". May 1, 2008. Archived from the original on May 4, 2008.
  3. ^ "UPI Almanac for Sunday, Jan. 6, 2019". United Press International. January 6, 2019. Retrieved September 10, 2019. U.S. football coach/broadcaster Lou Holtz in 1937 (age 82){{cite news}}: CS1 maint: deprecated archival service (link)
  4. ^ Carroll, Jeff (August 31, 2010). Perfect Rivals. Random House. p. 40. ISBN 978-0345523150 – via Google Books.
  5. ^ Barca, Jerry (August 13, 2013). Unbeatable: Notre Dame's 1988 Championship and the Last Great College Football Season: Notre Dame's 1988 Championship and the Last Great College Football Season. St. Martin's Press. p. 24. ISBN 978-1250024831.
  6. ^ Henry, Orville; Bailey, Jim (July 1, 1996). The Razorbacks: A Story of Arkansas Football. University of Arkansas Press. p. 293. ISBN 978-1557284297.
  7. ^ a b c Firth, Ron (March 5, 2026). "East Liverpool shaped Holtz". reviewonline.com. Retrieved March 5, 2026.
  8. ^ "Congratulations to Lou Holtz, '59, Who Received Presidential Medal of Freedom". Kent Campus. December 12, 2019. Retrieved March 5, 2026.
  9. ^ a b "Biography: Lou Holtz". real-life-training-films.com. Archived from the original on July 15, 2011. Retrieved December 1, 2009.
  10. ^ a b c d "Lou Holtz, Legendary National Championship Coach, Passes Away". Notre Dame Fighting Irish - Official Athletics Website. March 4, 2026. Retrieved March 4, 2026.
  11. ^ a b c d Berardino, Mike (March 4, 2026). "Lou Holtz, legendary Notre Dame football coach, dead at 89". South Bend Tribune. Retrieved March 6, 2026.
  12. ^ a b c d e "Player Bio: Lou Holtz". CSTV. Archived from the original on December 8, 2009. Retrieved December 1, 2009.
  13. ^ "Jets Eye Lou Holtz as Coach". The Evening News. Beacon, New York: Associated Press. February 10, 1976. p. 9.
  14. ^ Eskenazi, Gerald (November 24, 1996). "New York Jets Go Rolling Along". The New York Times.
  15. ^ "Arkansas Razorbacks Coaches". Sports Reference. Retrieved June 20, 2024.
  16. ^ "Arkansas Razorbacks Bowls". Sports Reference. Retrieved June 20, 2024.
  17. ^ Nissenson, Herschel (January 2, 1978). "Orange: the bookies' nightmare". Lewiston Morning Tribune. Idaho. Associated Press. p. 3B.
  18. ^ "Arkansas humiliates Oklahoma". Wilmington Morning Star (location=North Carolina). Associated Press. January 3, 1978. p. 1B.
  19. ^ "Biography – Lou Holtz". hickoksports.com. Retrieved December 1, 2009.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: deprecated archival service (link)
  20. ^ a b c d e f Goldstein, Richard (March 4, 2026). "Lou Holtz, Who Coached Unbeaten Notre Dame to a Title, Dies at 89". The New York Times. Retrieved March 6, 2026.
  21. ^ "FOUR DECADES OF COLLEGE FOOTBALL CHAMPIONSHIPS". University of Wisconsin-Madison Computer-Aided Engineering. Archived from the original on September 16, 2019. Retrieved December 10, 2021.
  22. ^ Kindred, Dave (January 2, 1979). "Eerie Feeling Engulfs The Visitors". Toledo Blade. p. 25.
  23. ^ "Bruce Credentials Right for Buckeyes". Toledo Blade. The Associated Press\. January 14, 1979. p. D3.
  24. ^ "1978 Arkansas Razorbacks Schedule and Results". SR/College Football. Sports Reference LLC. Retrieved August 3, 2015.
  25. ^ "1979 Arkansas Razorbacks Schedule and Results". SR/College Football. Sports Reference LLC. Retrieved August 3, 2015.
  26. ^ "1980 Arkansas Razorbacks Schedule and Results". SR/College Football. Sports Reference LLC. Retrieved November 5, 2024.
  27. ^ "1981 Arkansas Razorbacks Schedule and Results". SR/College Football. Sports Reference LLC. Retrieved November 2, 2024.
  28. ^ "1982 Arkansas Razorbacks Schedule and Results". SR/College Football. Sports Reference LLC. Retrieved December 30, 2020.
  29. ^ "Tired, burnt-out Holtz quits as Arkansas coach". The Sporstman-Review. Spokane, WA: The Associated Press. December 19, 1983. p. 21.
  30. ^ Pils, Douglas (May 7, 2004). "Broyles gives his side of Richardson firing". USA Today. Associated Press.
  31. ^ "Holtz will bring his wisdom to Syracuse: Former coach speaks about his football experience", Syracuse Post-Standard (October 22, 2006)
  32. ^ "SPORTS PEOPLE; No Politics for Holtz". The New York Times. May 7, 2004. p. 18.
  33. ^ Trex, Ethan (July 17, 2009). "5 Things You Didn't Know About Lou Holtz". Mental Floss. Archived from the original on February 28, 2014. Retrieved July 31, 2013.
  34. ^ Nadel, Mike (November 27, 1985). "Is Lou Holtz next for Notre Dame?". The Evening Independent. St. Petersburg, FL: Associated Press. p. 1C.
  35. ^ "Minnesota Admits NCAA Rules Broken Under Holtz". Loss Angeles Times. January 4, 1991.
  36. ^ Sherman, Ed (February 28, 1991). "Minnesota, Holtz Dodge Grave Sanctions". Chicago Tribune.
  37. ^ a b c d e f "2007 Notre Dame Media Guide: History and Records (pages 131–175)". und.cstv.com. Archived from the original on June 10, 2008. Retrieved July 10, 2008.
  38. ^ Burns, Marty (July 17, 2007). "Catholics vs. Convicts The Irish pulled out a gritty win over a bitter foe". si.com. Archived from the original on June 29, 2008. Retrieved July 23, 2008.
  39. ^ Walters, John (July 21, 2004). Notre Dame Golden Moments. Rutledge Hill Press. ISBN 1-59186-042-3.
  40. ^ "College football's best of the last 20 years". usatoday.com. November 19, 2002. Retrieved July 23, 2008.
  41. ^ Fiutak, Pete; Cirminiello, Richard; Harris, John; Zemek, Matthew (August 28, 2006). "CFN's Tuesday Question - The All-Time Greatest Regular Season Games". CollegeFootballNews.com. Archived from the original on August 21, 2008. Retrieved July 23, 2008.
  42. ^ "Tarnished dome, Notre Dame placed on 2 years' probation by NCAA". CNN/Sports Illustrated. December 17, 1999. Archived from the original on November 21, 2001.
  43. ^ "Major Infractions Case" (University of Notre Dame). Legislative Services Database. National Collegiate Athletic Association. December 17, 1999.
  44. ^ Brooks, B.G. (December 1, 1990). "Holtz says Notre Dame as Worthy of No. 1 As Any If It Tops Colorado". Deseret News. Scripps Howard News Service.
  45. ^ "Vikings' Official Wants Holtz". Chicago Tribune. November 20, 1991.
  46. ^ Sallee, Barrett (September 25, 2021). "Notre Dame's Brian Kelly passes Knute Rockne as winningest coach in Fighting Irish history". CBS Sports. Retrieved March 6, 2026.
  47. ^ Lesko, Ron (November 19, 1996). "Vikings' owners divided on Holtz". SouthCoast Today. Associated Press. Archived from the original on December 6, 2008.
  48. ^ Shappell, Lee (December 1, 1996). "Vikings' Green Says His Team's in Hunt". Arizona Republic.[dead link]
  49. ^ NCAA football records, p. 68.
  50. ^ "2002 South Carolina Gamecocks Schedule and Results". Sports Reference. Retrieved June 20, 2024.
  51. ^ "2003 South Carolina Gamecocks Schedule and Results". Sports Reference. Retrieved June 20, 2024.
  52. ^ "2004 South Carolina Gamecocks Schedule and Results". Sports Reference. Retrieved June 20, 2024.
  53. ^ "Gamecocks admit 5 major infractions under Holtz". ESPN. July 13, 2005. Archived from the original on November 4, 2016.
  54. ^ "Three years of probation for South Carolina". USA Today. August 24, 2005. Archived from the original on October 25, 2012.
  55. ^ a b Thamel, Pete (November 23, 2004). "Holtz Goes; Brawlers Won't Play On in Bowls". The New York Times. Retrieved July 28, 2008.
  56. ^ Iacobelli, Pete (November 22, 2004). "South Carolina says goodbye to Holtz, bowl". The Tuscaloosa News. Retrieved May 30, 2025.
  57. ^ Ziller, Tom (October 18, 2008). "Dr. Lou Holtz Drops a Hitler Reference, Continues to Make No Sense". Sporting News. Archived from the original on September 17, 2009. Retrieved September 20, 2009.
  58. ^ Daulerio, A.J. (October 17, 2008). "Lou Holtz Might Be Taking Some Time Off". Deadspin.com. Retrieved September 20, 2009.
  59. ^ Weiss, Dick (October 18, 2008). "Lou Holtz sorry for Hitler line". Daily News. New York. Retrieved September 20, 2009.
  60. ^ Sandritter, Mark (April 12, 2015). "Lou Holtz leaves ESPN on 'mutual agreement'". SB Nation. Retrieved April 12, 2015.
  61. ^ Hansen, Eric. "Beth Holtz, wife of Notre Dame football icon Lou Holtz, leaves behind powerful legacy". South Bend Tribune. Retrieved July 5, 2020.
  62. ^ "Lou Holtz family, net worth: All about wife Beth Barcus Holtz and 4 children as Notre Dame and Arkansas HC dies at 89". Hindustan Times. March 5, 2026. Retrieved March 5, 2026.
  63. ^ Schupak, Adam. "Beyond the gridiron: Lou Holtz and his love for golf". Golfweek. Retrieved March 5, 2026.
  64. ^ Farquhar, Sunde (June 24, 2015). "Lightning starts fire at Orlando home of former Notre Dame coach Lou Holtz". WFLA. Retrieved March 5, 2026.
  65. ^ "Notre Dame coaching legend Lou Holtz enters hospice care at 89 | New York Post". January 30, 2026. Retrieved January 30, 2026.
  66. ^ "Lou Holtz's son shares health update after college football coaching legend enters hospice care". Fox News. February 2, 2026. Retrieved February 2, 2026.
  67. ^ Sampson, Pete (March 4, 2026). "Lou Holtz, ubiquitous college football voice and Notre Dame icon, dies at 89". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved March 5, 2026.
  68. ^ Ayers Jr., B Drummond (June 18, 1999). "Political briefing: Funny things happen to Quayle in Dixie". The New York Times.
  69. ^ Hulse, Carl (January 27, 2007). "At lawmakers' retreat, pep talks address concerns of the new G.O.P. minority". The New York Times.
  70. ^ "Holtz considering run for Congress". ESPN. Associated Press. August 4, 2009.
  71. ^ "Lou Holtz, Notre Dame ex-coach, considers running for Congress, GOP sources say". Orlando Sentinel. Archived from the original on May 22, 2014. Retrieved October 7, 2011.
  72. ^ "Lou Holtz talks SEC, Alabama, Donald Trump and reveals what was in Crown Royal bag at RNC". AL.com. August 3, 2016. Retrieved September 16, 2016.
  73. ^ "Lou Holtz Praises Judge Amy Barrett's Nomination". YouTube. October 8, 2020. Retrieved December 3, 2022.
  74. ^ "Here's the speaker lineup for the third night of the Republican National Convention". CNBC. Retrieved October 7, 2011.
  75. ^ Bromberg, Nick (August 27, 2020). "Notre Dame disassociates itself from Lou Holtz's RNC comments questioning Joe Biden's Catholic faith". Retrieved August 27, 2020.
  76. ^ Robinson, Brandon (November 15, 2017). "Lou Holtz says Colin Kaepernick shouldn't have taken knee, compares its human interest to O.J. Simpson". RESPECT Magazine. Retrieved May 14, 2018.
  77. ^ "Peggy – Customer Service – Lou Holtz". Discoverpeggy.com. Archived from the original on December 14, 2011. Retrieved November 28, 2011.
  78. ^ "President Donald J. Trump to Award the Medal of Freedom to Lou Holtz" (Statements & Releases). whitehouse.gov. December 2, 2020. Archived from the original on January 20, 2021 – via National Archives.
  79. ^ "AT&T Cotton Bowl Classic Hall of Fame Class of 2012". AT&T Cotton Bowl Classic. April 19, 2012. Archived from the original on April 8, 2013.
  80. ^ "Golden Plate Awardees". American Academy of Achievement.
  81. ^ "Historical Public Museum". The Upper Ohio Valley Museum & Learning Center at the Lou Holtz Hall of Fame. November 15, 2024. Retrieved March 5, 2026.
  82. ^ "Honorary Degrees". University of Notre Dame. 2011. Archived from the original on August 13, 2011. Retrieved June 20, 2011.
  83. ^ "Legendary coach Lou Holtz joins Trine's board". Thunderbolt. Trine University. Archived from the original (Trustee News, Aug-Sep 2011) on July 29, 2014.
  84. ^ "Lou Holtz lends name to new program". Trine University News. 2013.
  85. ^ "Commencement Exercises 2015". Franciscan University of Steubenville. Archived from the original on October 5, 2015. Retrieved October 5, 2015.
  86. ^ "Lou Holtz Records By Year". cfbdatawarehouse.com. Archived from the original on June 22, 2008. Retrieved July 28, 2008.
Wikiquote has quotations related to Lou Holtz.