Lou Holtz, who won title with Notre Dame in Fiesta Bowl, dies at 89
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Legendary college football coach Lou Holtz passed away at the age of 89, his family announced on March 4.
Holtz led the University of Notre Dame to the national championship in 1988, capturing the title with a win over West Virginia in the 1989 Fiesta Bowl in Tempe.
He won 249 games as a college head coach with 100 of them coming at Notre Dame between 1986-96.
At one point, his Notre Dame team won 23 straight games.
Holtz began his coaching career at William & Mary in 1969. He also coached collegiately at NC State, Arkansas and Minnesota before going to Notre Dame.
After Notre Dame, he became a game commentator with CBS Sports, before returning to coach South Carolina in 1999.
He retired from coaching at the end of the 2004 season with a 249-132-7 record.
Holtz spent one season as the coach of the New York Jets in 1976.
He also spent time as a commentator and studio analyst for ESPN.
Social media paid tribute to Lou Holtz after the news of his death
Head Coach Marcus Freeman’s statement on the passing of Lou Holtz pic.twitter.com/q7WwLVwoSX
— Notre Dame Football (@NDFootball) March 4, 2026
Remembering the life and legacy of Lou Holtz pic.twitter.com/8WiEtVr6fT
— Notre Dame Football (@NDFootball) March 4, 2026
We’ll never forget Lou Holtz on College Football Final
Rest in Peace to a Legend
pic.twitter.com/f5g5x0XK8O— Barstool Sports (@barstoolsports) March 4, 2026
WE LOVE AND APPRECIATE YOU COACH @HoltzHeroeshttps://t.co/zzRTHn9CzV
— Pat McAfee (@PatMcAfeeShow) March 4, 2026
Lou Holtz was the rare example of an icon to different generations for different reasons.
My dad knew him as the man that returned Notre Dame to the head table. I knew him as the cornerstone of the greatest CFB studio show ever produced.
Rest in peace Coach 🫡 pic.twitter.com/4vp3cwfMhf
— Josh Pate (@JoshPateCFB) March 4, 2026
RIP. The man was a legend. He absolutely knew tough football from soft football. pic.twitter.com/Qj9hYR0Ft4
— Dave Portnoy (@stoolpresidente) March 4, 2026
RIP to a legend.
— Ari Meirov (@MySportsUpdate) March 4, 2026
RIP to Coach Lou Holtz, an absolute legend and one of the original motivational-style coaches who set the stage for so many.
— Football Scout 365 (@DraftAnalyst365) March 4, 2026
Legendary coach Lou Holtz leaves an incredible legacy of faith, leadership, and championship excellence. Rest in peace, sir—your impact endures forever. 🙏🏈
— Sir Emma (@siradoms) March 4, 2026
A legend. Rest in peace Coach. Thank you for the lessons and the memories.
— Roger☘️ (@818_RGallo) March 4, 2026
One of my favorite core life memories is finally getting the chance to meet one of my heroes. Coach Holtz is responsible for so many moments I hold near and dear to my heart, and I know he impacted tens of thousands on and off the field. Coach Holtz is a legend, and the world is… pic.twitter.com/9evITbwJx1
— Dos Leprechauns (@dosleprechauns) March 4, 2026
Reach Jeremy Cluff at jeremy.cluff@arizonarepublic.com. Follow him on X, formerly Twitter @Jeremy_Cluff.
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This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Lou Holtz, legendary Notre Dame football coach, dies at 89
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