Lou Holtz’s Family Makes Statement Following Death of Legendary Coach
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College football lost one of its most recognizable figures. Lou Holtz passed away at 89, leaving behind a legacy built over decades on the sidelines.
The longtime head coach of the Notre Dame Fighting Irish claimed the 1988 national championship and finished his career with 249 wins, 100 of which came in South Bend between 1986 and 1996.
That 1988 season ended with a perfect 12-0 record and a Fiesta Bowl win over the West Virginia Mountaineers, kicking off a dominant 64-9-1 run that included a 23-game winning streak, the program’s first back-to-back 12-win seasons and nine straight bowl appearances.
The Notre Dame Fighting Irish shared a statement on X from the Holtz family confirming the news.
“Louis Leo ‘Lou’ Holtz, legendary college football coach, Hall of Famer, bestselling author, and one of America’s most influential motivational voices, has passed away at the age of 89 in Orlando, Florida, surrounded by family. Born January 6, 1937, in Follansbee, West Virginia, Holtz rose from humble beginnings to become one of the most respected figures in college athletics,” the statement read.
The family confirmed that funeral arrangements are being finalized, including a Mass of Christian Burial at the Basilica of the Sacred Heart at the University of Notre Dame.
From the family of Lou Holtz pic.twitter.com/aYWiXYVnLq
— The Fighting Irish (@FightingIrish) March 4, 2026
Holtz meant more to people than the wins and the titles. His life centered on faith, family and service, and that outlook carried well beyond the football field. The Holtz Charitable Foundation extended his influence into communities long after his coaching days ended.
He is survived by four children, nine grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.
His induction into the College Football Hall of Fame in 2008 was the formal recognition, but his real mark on Notre Dame shows up every game day. Holtz installed the “Play Like A Champion” sign in the locker room, and players still tap it on the way out.
He also pulled names off the backs of jerseys to put the team above the individual, a tradition the program still honors in regular-season games. That is the kind of thing that outlasts any trophy.
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This story was originally published by Athlon Sports on Mar 4, 2026, where it first appeared in the College Football section. Add Athlon Sports as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
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