Lou Holtz

American football coach, author, and sports analyst (1937–2026)

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About

Louis Leo Holtz, born January 6, 1937 in Follansbee, West Virginia, and died March 4, 2026, was a legendary American football coach. He led college programs for over three decades, taking six different teams to bowl games, a record. At Notre Dame (1986-1996), he compiled a 100-30-2 record, winning the national championship in 1988 with a perfect season. He also worked as an analyst for CBS and ESPN, and authored several books, including the New York Times bestseller 'The Fighting Spirit'. He received the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2020 and was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in 2008.

Major works

The Fighting Spiritbook
Winning Every Day: The Game Plan for Successbook
Wins, Losses, and Lessons: An Autobiography (2006)autobiography
A Teen's Game Plan for Lifebook
Three Rules for Living a Good Lifebook

Key milestones

1988Led Notre Dame to a perfect 12-0 season and the national championship.
2008Inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame.
2020Awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom.

Themes

SuccessPerseveranceTeamworkLeadershipFighting spirit

Sources: govtrack.us · presidency.ucsb.edu · christendom.edu