Legendary Coach Lou Holtz Dies at 89

Holtz won the 1988 national title at Notre Dame and had a storied college coaching career spanning over three decades.

Published on Mar. 5, 2026

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Famed college football coach Lou Holtz, who won the 1988 national title at Notre Dame, died Wednesday at the age of 89 in Orlando, Florida while surrounded by family members. Holtz, a College Football Hall of Famer, had a coaching career that spanned over 33 seasons and included stints at several major college programs as well as a brief tenure with the NFL's New York Jets.

Why it matters

Holtz is considered one of the most successful and influential college football coaches of his era, restoring Notre Dame to national prominence in the late 1980s and early 1990s. His passing marks the end of an era for the sport and will be mourned by legions of fans and former players whose lives he impacted.

The details

Holtz began his coaching career in 1969 at William & Mary and also coached at North Carolina State, Arkansas, Minnesota, South Carolina, and spent one disastrous season with the NFL's New York Jets in 1976. He compiled a career record of 249-132-7 over 33 seasons, winning the national championship with Notre Dame in 1988 and leading the Fighting Irish to two other top-2 finishes in 1989 and 1993.

  • Holtz died on Wednesday, March 5, 2026.
  • He had entered hospice care earlier in the year.

The players

Lou Holtz

A legendary college football coach who won the 1988 national title at Notre Dame and had a storied 33-year coaching career spanning several major programs.

Skip Holtz

Lou Holtz's son, who followed in his father's footsteps and had a 17-year career as a head coach at East Carolina, South Florida, and Louisiana Tech.

Marcus Freeman

The current head coach of the Notre Dame Fighting Irish, who had a close relationship with Lou Holtz and praised his impact on the university.

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What’s next

There are no clear future newsworthy events related to Lou Holtz's passing that have definite and predictable dates.

The takeaway

Lou Holtz's legacy as one of the most successful and influential college football coaches of his era will live on, as he restored Notre Dame to national prominence and impacted the lives of countless players and fans over his storied 33-year career.