Lou Holtz to Receive Presidential Medal of Freedom

Legendary college football coach says he is "humbled" to receive nation's highest civilian honor from President Trump.

Published on Mar. 5, 2026

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President Trump will award the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the nation's highest civilian honor, to legendary college football coach Lou Holtz on Thursday. Holtz, an 83-year-old former head coach at Arkansas and Notre Dame, said he is "humbled" to receive the prestigious award and praised President Trump as a leader who "did a tremendous job" for the country.

Why it matters

Holtz is an outspoken supporter of President Trump and spoke at the 2020 Republican National Convention, declaring the president a "consistent winner" who deserved to be re-elected. The award highlights the close relationship between the Trump administration and prominent conservative figures in sports and entertainment.

The details

Holtz, who served in the U.S. Army Reserve, coached college football for 33 years and led Notre Dame to a national championship in 1988. He has been an unabashed supporter of President Trump, even as the incumbent lost the 2020 election. Holtz said he would like to see another four years of Trump, praising the president's record and criticizing the "mischaracterization" he faced during his term.

  • President Trump will award the Presidential Medal of Freedom to Lou Holtz on Thursday, March 5, 2026.

The players

Lou Holtz

An 83-year-old former college football head coach who led Arkansas and Notre Dame to national success, and is now set to receive the Presidential Medal of Freedom from President Trump.

President Trump

The 45th President of the United States, who will award the Presidential Medal of Freedom to Lou Holtz.

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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.”

— Lou Holtz (Fox & Friends)

“I think we need him. It's unbelievable what he went through for four years overall. The mischaracterization about Russia, Russia, Russia and the impeachment, etc. I mean he fought it for four years and what he did for this country was fantastic.”

— Lou Holtz (Fox & Friends)

The takeaway

The decision to award the Presidential Medal of Freedom to Lou Holtz, a prominent conservative figure in sports, underscores the close ties between the Trump administration and certain high-profile supporters, even as the president faced significant political challenges during his term.