Legendary College Football Coach Lou Holtz Enters Hospice Care

The former Notre Dame coach, who led the Irish to a 1988 national title, is 89 years old.

Jan. 30, 2026 at 12:55pm

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Lou Holtz, a College Football Hall of Famer who coached at Notre Dame for 11 seasons and led the Fighting Irish to a national championship in 1988, has reportedly entered hospice care at the age of 89.

Why it matters

Holtz is considered one of the most successful and influential college football coaches of his era, having won 249 games over a 33-year career that included stints at Arkansas, Notre Dame, and other programs. His entry into hospice care marks the potential end of an iconic coaching career that spanned decades.

The details

Holtz coached at Notre Dame from 1986 to 1996, compiling a 110-30-2 record and winning the 1988 national championship. He finished his career with a 249-132-7 overall record as a head coach. In recent years, Holtz has been an outspoken supporter of former President Donald Trump, speaking at the 2020 Republican National Convention and receiving the Presidential Medal of Freedom from Trump.

  • Holtz entered hospice care in January 2026 at the age of 89.

The players

Lou Holtz

A College Football Hall of Famer who coached at Notre Dame for 11 seasons from 1986 to 1996, leading the Fighting Irish to a national championship in 1988.

Donald Trump

The former President of the United States who awarded Holtz the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2020.

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What they’re saying

“It's the highest honor or award you could possibly receive, and I receive it with mixed emotions. First of all, I'm humbled. There are many more people far worthy than me I can assure you. Nobody is more appreciative than me. So, I'm excited to have this opportunity and at the same time, I'm excited to receive it from President Trump. The president I admire and respect. I think he did a tremendous job.”

— Lou Holtz (Fox & Friends)

The takeaway

Holtz's entry into hospice care marks the potential end of an iconic coaching career that spanned over three decades and included a national championship at Notre Dame. His outspoken support for former President Trump in recent years also added to his legacy and public profile beyond just his coaching accomplishments.