Famed college football coach Lou Holtz, who won the 1988 national title at Notre Dame, died Wednesday at 89, his family said.
Holtz died in Orlando, Fla., while surrounded by family members.
He went into hospice care earlier this year.
“My father passed away today resting peacefully at home,” said Skip Holtz, Lou’s son. “I appreciate everyone’s thoughts and prayers over the last couple months! He was successful, but more important he was Significant.”
The College Football Hall of Famer is best known for his 11-season run at Notre Dame from 1986-96. He coached five other programs and also had a disastrous 13-game stint with the NFL’s New York Jets in 1976.
Holtz began his coaching career in 1969 at William & Mary and also coached North Carolina State, Arkansas, Minnesota and South Carolina, compiling a career record of 249-132-7 in 33 seasons.
Holtz went 10-12 in a two-year run at Minnesota (1984-85) before landing the Notre Dame job.
“We are deeply saddened to learn of the passing of Lou Holtz,” current Notre Dame coach Marcus Freeman said in a statement. “Lou and I shared a very special relationship. He welcomed me to the Notre Dame family immediately, offering me great support throughout our time together.
“Lou’s impact at Notre Dame has gone well beyond the field. 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.”
As his reputation improved, his popularity soared and Holtz restored the Fighting Irish from a mediocre program back to the national elite.
In his third season, Holtz went 12-0 and won the national title. A memorable 31-30 upset of No. 1 Miami opened the door and Notre Dame wrapped up the season by beating West Virginia in the Fiesta Bowl.
In 1989, Notre Dame (12-1) finished second in the final rankings.
The Irish (11-1) also were second in 1993.
Holtz went 100-30-2 in South Bend before resigning following the 1996 season.
A West Virginia native, Holtz’s first head coaching job was at William & Mary from 1969-71. He moved on to North Carolina State for four seasons (1972-75), twice winning nine games.
He took the Jets job in 1976 and went 3-10 before being shown the door before the NFL season was over. Holtz struggled with the pro game and with dealing with the egos of NFL players.
Holtz returned to college football at Arkansas in 1977 and went 11-1 with a No. 3 final ranking that year. The Razorbacks put up an impressive 31-6 takedown of Oklahoma in the Orange Bowl to wrap up the season.
Holtz spent seven seasons with the Razorbacks before the two-year stint at Minnesota.
“We are saddened by the news of Coach Holtz’s passing,” the Arkansas football program said on social media. “He had a legendary tenure as the Head Hog from 1977-83. Our thoughts are with his family and all those who loved him.”
He had a two-season hiatus after his Notre Dame stint before returning to the sidelines at South Carolina. He went 33-37 in six seasons with the Gamecocks before retiring in 2004.
Holtz also served as a television analyst for ESPN.
Skip Holtz followed in his father’s coaching footsteps, spending 17 seasons as the head coach (2005-21) at East Carolina, South Florida and Louisiana Tech.
–Field Level Media
