SOUTH BEND, IN — Lou Holtz, the Hall of Fame college football coach who led Notre Dame to its most recent national championship in 1988 and won nearly 250 games during a 33-season coaching career, has died, the university announced Wednesday. He was 89.
Holtz had been in declining health in recent months, and his family recently said he had entered hospice care in Orlando, Florida.
Holtz established Notre Dame as a perennial national contender during his decade in South Bend.
“Notre Dame mourns the loss of Lou Holtz, a legendary football coach, a beloved member of the Notre Dame family and devoted husband, father and grandfather," Notre Dame President Rev. Robert A. Dowd said in a statement. "Among his many accomplishments, we will remember him above all as a teacher, leader and mentor who brought out the very best in his players, on and off the field, earning their respect and admiration for a lifetime.
"In the years since leaving the head football coach position, Lou, together with his beloved wife, Beth, supported Notre Dame in innumerable ways, among them making possible the refurbishment of four residence hall chapels and the construction of the Beth and Lou Holtz Grand Reading Room on the first floor of Hesburgh Library — tangible signs of their great love for their Catholic faith and the mission of Our Lady’s University.
"Whenever Notre Dame called to ask for his help, Lou answered with his characteristic generosity, and he will be sorely missed. The prayers of the entire Notre Dame community are with his family and many friends in this time of sorrow. May he rest in the peace and love of Christ," Dowd concluded.
During his career, Holtz compiled a 249-132-7 record while coaching at several programs. His most notable tenure came at Notre Dame, where he led the Fighting Irish from 1986 to 1996 and posted a 100-30-2 record.
He also coached at William & Mary, North Carolina State, Arkansas, Minnesota and South Carolina.
He also coached the NFL's New York Jets for the 1976 season and finished 3-10.
Current Notre Dame coach Marcus Freeman said Holtz’s influence extended beyond the field.
“Lou’s impact at Notre Dame has gone well beyond the football field,” Freeman said in a statement. “He and his wife, Beth, are respected across campus for their generous hearts and commitment to carry out Notre Dame’s mission.”
Holtz’s career spanned more than three decades in college football, during which he built a reputation as one of the sport’s most recognizable and successful coaches.
After football, Holtz shifted his focus to television. He was a regular sports commentator and continued to contribute to the game of football for more than a decade.
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