Urban Meyer Shares Lou Holtz is 'Not Doing Well' in Hospice Care

The legendary Notre Dame coach is battling health issues at 89 years old.

Published on Mar. 4, 2026

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Urban Meyer, the former head coach at Florida and Ohio State, shared that legendary college football coach Lou Holtz is currently in hospice care and 'not doing well' at 89 years old. Meyer credited Holtz as one of his key mentors who hired him at Notre Dame in 1996, and said he recently visited Holtz, with his wife getting emotional over Holtz's condition.

Why it matters

Lou Holtz is considered one of the most successful and influential college football coaches of all time, leading Notre Dame to a national championship in 1988 and compiling a career record of 249-132-7. His health struggles at age 89 are notable given his long and storied coaching career that spanned over four decades.

The details

Meyer shared the update on Holtz's health while answering a question from Iowa State coach Jimmy Rogers about his mentors. Meyer said Holtz, along with former Ohio State coach Earl Bruce, were like fathers to him and were always available to provide advice on how to improve his coaching. Meyer credited Holtz's no-nonsense coaching style as a key influence on his own approach.

  • In early February 2026, rumors circulated that Holtz had died, prompting his family to release a statement that he was still fighting at 89 years old.
  • Meyer recently visited Holtz in hospice care, with his wife getting emotional over Holtz's condition.

The players

Lou Holtz

A legendary college football coach who led Notre Dame to a national championship in 1988 and compiled a career record of 249-132-7 over four decades.

Urban Meyer

The former head coach at Florida and Ohio State, who credited Holtz as one of his key mentors who hired him at Notre Dame in 1996.

Earl Bruce

A former Ohio State coach who was a mentor to Meyer, hiring him as a graduate assistant and later at Colorado State.

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What they’re saying

“Humbly, I say that I had two mentors that were like fathers. Lou Holtz, who's not doing well, he's in hospice care as we speak. I went and saw him recently, and my wife got really emotional, because without coach Holt… he hired me at Notre Dame in 1996.”

— Urban Meyer, Former Head Coach (The Triple Option podcast)

“Appreciate everyone's text and prayers. Dad is 89 and he is STILL fighting the fight! Only the man upstairs knows how much time is left on the clock. Cherishing the time we still have together in Orlando.”

— Skip Holtz, Lou Holtz's Son (Social Media)

What’s next

The Holtz family has not provided any further updates on Lou Holtz's condition or prognosis.

The takeaway

Lou Holtz's health struggles at 89 years old are a reminder of the lasting impact he had on college football as one of the most successful and influential coaches of all time. His mentorship of Urban Meyer and others highlights his enduring legacy in the sport.