College Football Hall of Fame Coach Lou Holtz Passes Away

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Lou Holtz, a 2008 inductee into the College Football Hall of Fame who coached Notre Dame to the 1988 national championship and won 249 games over a 35-year career, has passed away at the age of 89. Holtz led six different college football programs from 1969 to 2004, including stints at Notre Dame, Arkansas, and South Carolina.

Why it matters

Holtz was one of the most successful and influential college football coaches of his era, leading Notre Dame to a national title and guiding several other programs to conference championships and top 20 finishes. His impact on the sport extended beyond just his wins and losses, as he was known for innovative coaching tactics and an emphasis on team over individual success.

The details

Holtz coached at six different schools over his 35-year career, including Notre Dame, where he led the Fighting Irish to the 1988 national championship with a 12-0 season. He also won conference titles at William & Mary, North Carolina State, and Arkansas, and is the only coach to guide four different programs to final Top 20 rankings. Holtz amassed an overall record of 249-132-7 for a 65.1% winning percentage.

• Holtz was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in 2008.
• He coached at Notre Dame from 1986 to 1996, leading the Fighting Irish to the 1988 national title.
• Holtz retired from coaching after the 1996 season, but returned to the sidelines in 1999 to take the head job at South Carolina.
• Holtz passed away on March 4, 2026 at the age of 89.