Legendary Notre Dame Football Coach Lou Holtz Enters Hospice Care

The 89-year-old coach led the Fighting Irish to a national title in 1988 and later coached at South Carolina.

Jan. 30, 2026 at 4:23pm

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Lou Holtz, the legendary football coach best known for his tenure at the University of Notre Dame, has reportedly been placed in hospice care according to a source close to his family. Holtz led the Fighting Irish to a national championship in 1988 after an undefeated season, and later coached at the University of South Carolina from 1999 to 2004 after retiring from coaching and working as a TV analyst.

Why it matters

Holtz is considered one of the greatest college football coaches of his era, leading Notre Dame to a national title and coaching several other major programs over his long career. His potential passing would mark the end of an era for Notre Dame and college football fans who grew up watching his teams compete.

The details

Holtz coached Notre Dame for 11 seasons from 1986 to 1996, leading the Fighting Irish to the 1988 national championship. After retiring from coaching and working as an analyst for CBS Sports, he came out of retirement to coach at the University of South Carolina for six seasons from 1999 to 2004. Holtz's collegiate coaching career also included tenures at William & Mary, NC State, Arkansas, and Minnesota. He coached the NFL's New York Jets for one season in 1976, amassing a 3-10 record.

  • Holtz coached Notre Dame from 1986 to 1996.
  • Holtz led Notre Dame to a national championship in 1988.
  • Holtz coached at the University of South Carolina from 1999 to 2004.
  • Holtz left ESPN in 2015 under a 'mutual agreement'.
  • Holtz's wife, Beth, died of cancer in 2020.

The players

Lou Holtz

A legendary college football coach best known for his tenure at the University of Notre Dame, where he led the Fighting Irish to a national championship in 1988 after an undefeated season. Holtz also coached at several other major programs over his long career, including South Carolina, Arkansas, and Minnesota.

Beth Holtz

Lou Holtz's wife of 59 years, who died of cancer in 2020.

Skip Holtz

Lou Holtz's son, who followed in his father's coaching footsteps with a lengthy resume that included two seasons as Notre Dame's offensive coordinator and head coaching positions at UConn, East Carolina, South Florida, and Louisiana Tech.

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What they’re saying

“God did not put Lou Holtz on this earth to coach in the pros.”

— Lou Holtz (Sports Illustrated)

“Happy Birthday Dad! 89 years young!”

— Skip Holtz (X)

“He's still fighting the fight.”

— Skip Holtz (Sports broadcasting legend Tim Brando)

The takeaway

The potential passing of Lou Holtz, one of the greatest college football coaches of his era, would mark the end of an era for Notre Dame and college football fans who grew up watching his teams compete. Holtz's legacy as a successful and outspoken coach will be remembered for years to come.