Legendary College Football Coach Lou Holtz Enters Hospice Care

The 89-year-old former Notre Dame and Arkansas head coach has reportedly entered hospice care.

Jan. 30, 2026 at 7:15pm

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Legendary college football coach Lou Holtz, best known for his time leading the Notre Dame Fighting Irish, has reportedly entered hospice care at the age of 89. Holtz coached college football for 33 years, compiling a 249-132-7 record and winning a national championship with Notre Dame in 1988.

Why it matters

Holtz is considered one of the most successful and influential college football coaches of his era, leading Notre Dame to a national title and becoming a prominent college football analyst after his coaching career. His reported entry into hospice care marks the end of an iconic coaching legacy.

The details

Holtz coached at several schools during his 33-year career, including Arkansas, N.C. State, and most notably Notre Dame, where he led the Fighting Irish to a 110-30-2 record from 1986 to 1996. He won the national championship with Notre Dame in 1988 after finishing the season 12-0. Holtz also had a brief stint as the head coach of the NFL's New York Jets in 1976, going 3-10 before stepping down.

  • Holtz coached at Notre Dame from 1986 to 1996.
  • Holtz led Notre Dame to a national championship in 1988.
  • Holtz was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom by President Trump in 2020.

The players

Lou Holtz

A legendary college football coach who is best known for his 11-year tenure as the head coach of the Notre Dame Fighting Irish, where he won a national championship in 1988.

Donald Trump

The 45th 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

What’s next

The details and timeline of Holtz's hospice care and any potential memorial services have not yet been announced.

The takeaway

Lou Holtz's entry into hospice care marks the end of an era for one of college football's most legendary and influential coaches. His success at Notre Dame and as a prominent analyst cemented his legacy as one of the sport's all-time greats.