Legendary college football coach Lou Holtz has passed away.
He was 89.
Holtz famously won a national championship with Notre Dame in 1988.
“One of the most affable coaches of his generation, Holtz won 249 games as a collegiate head coach with 100 of those victories earned at Notre Dame from 1986 through 1996. He led the Irish to the 1988 National Championship with a 12-0 record capped by a victory over West Virginia in the 1989 Fiesta Bowl,” Notre Dame News wrote.
“The ’88 title season began a 64-9-1 (.871) run for Holtz at Notre Dame that included a 23-game win streak, back-to-back 12-win seasons for the first time in school history and a program record nine consecutive bowl game appearances,” it continued.
Lou Holtz has died at the age of 89, his family announced Wednesday.
The legendary football coach and ESPN analyst led six college programs and won the 1988 national title at Notre Dame. pic.twitter.com/r6v7lhQ3wA
— ESPN (@espn) March 4, 2026
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According to a statement released by Notre Dame, Holtz died in Orlando, Florida, where he was surrounded by family. A spokesperson said a cause of death was not provided by the family.
Current Fighting Irish coach Marcus Freeman said Holtz had offered him “great support” since he arrived in South Bend and praised the values Holtz emphasized to him: love, trust and commitment.
“Lou’s values have gone well beyond the football field,” Freeman said in a statement on social media. “He and his wife, Beth, are respected across campus for their generous hearts and commitment to carrying out Notre Dame’s mission of being a force for good. On behalf of the Notre Dame football program, we send our love to Lou’s family, friends and former players, wishing you all comfort and peace during this difficult time.”
Holtz had a 249-132-7 record over his head coaching career with six schools: William & Mary, NC State, Arkansas, Minnesota, Notre Dame and South Carolina.
He also coached the NFL’s New York Jets for the 1976 season, finishing 3-10.
After retiring from coaching, Holtz worked in television, including more than a decade with ESPN, but what he did with the Irish stands as his greatest accomplishment.
Head Coach Marcus Freeman’s statement on the passing of Lou Holtz pic.twitter.com/q7WwLVwoSX
— Notre Dame Football (@NDFootball) March 4, 2026
“Remembering the life and legacy of Lou Holtz. The man who always reminded us to play like a champion. We love you, Coach,” Notre Dame Football wrote.
Remembering the life and legacy of Lou Holtz
The man who always reminded us to play like a champion 💛☘️
We love you, Coach.#GoIrish☘️ pic.twitter.com/iZi7DUsiG4
— Notre Dame Football (@NDFootball) March 4, 2026
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“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,” said University of Notre Dame President Rev. Robert A. Dowd, C.S.C.
“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 was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in 2008 and instituted several traditions at Notre Dame that carry on to this day. The famous “Play Like A Champion” sign in the football locker room, which Fighting Irish players continue to honor on the way out to the playing field, was first displayed during the Holtz era. Holtz also removed names from the back of the football jerseys to emphasize the team dynamic, a tradition that is still followed today during all regular-season games.
Holtz returned to campus during the 2025 football season and presented the colors for the national anthem before the kickoff of the Notre Dame vs. Texas A&M game.
Among the legendary players coached by Holtz at Notre Dame are 1987 Heisman Trophy winner Tim Brown and College Football Hall of Famers Raghib “Rocket” Ismail, Michael Stonebreaker, Aaron Taylor and Chris Zorich.
Holtz’s lasting legacy at the University of Notre Dame goes beyond his accomplishments and traditions with the football program. Football student-athletes who played for him developed Holtz’s Heroes, a charitable foundation that supports former student-athletes facing financial, physical or mental hardships, provides scholarship aid to deserving youth and serves communities in need through charitable works.
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