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College Football Hall of Famer, Notre Dame national champion head coach and longtime broadcaster Lou Holtz has died at the age of 89, the Notre Dame President Rev. Robert A Dowd, C.S.C. announced in a statement shared on the athletic program's official website.
“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,” Dowd said. “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.”
Holtz coached Notre Dame from 1986 to 1996, following prior head coaching stints with NC State (1972-1975), Arkansas (1977-1983) and Minnesota (1977-1985), as well as one season with the NFL's New York Jets in 1976. The West Virginia native went 100-30-2 during 11 seasons in South Bend, which included winning the 1988 national championship and a 5-4 bowl game record.
Holtz finished his coaching career at South Carolina and led the Gamecocks to a 33-37 (19-29 SEC) record in six seasons from 1999 to 2004, which included two Outback Bowl victories. The legendary coach finished his collegiate coaching career with a 249-132-7 overall record.