Social media reacts to Notre Dame legend Lou Holtz passing away

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It was a sad day in South Bend, and honestly, the nation, as the news of Notre Dame’s legendary head coach Lou Holtz passing away.

He recently entered hospice care, and now his legacy will live on forever. If you are a college football fan, you know Holtz, as he made a seamless transition from coaching on the sidelines to the broadcast booth, starting with CBS then ultimately landing with ESPN. The Hall of Famer lived and breathed football, as he also played linebacker for Kent State.

It wasn’t just Notre Dame mourning his passing, it was many across all avenues going to social media to share stories, kind words, and more about Holtz. Below you’ll find some of the best of the heartfelt reactions to the former Irish heath coach succumbing to Father Time.

Lou Holtz’s family delivers the difficult news

Thoughts and prayers go out to the Holtz family during this difficult time. Lou was a treasure, not just to Notre Dame, but to the entirety of college football. He will be missed.

Notre Dame remembers Lou Holtz

A touching tribute from the place where Holtz made his coaching name. There have been plenty of legendary coaches in South Bend, and he’s right up there with the best of them. Fitting that it is ended by saying his “impact will never fade.”

Minnesota remembers Lou Holtz

Before Holtz took the position with Notre Dame, he was Minnesota’s head coach. While his first season was a struggle, he led the Gophers to a bowl game in year two before heading to South Bend. It was just two seasons with Minnesota, but his impact was felt.

Kent State, Lou Holtz’s alma mater remembers him

Holtz was a linebacker for two seasons with the Golden Flashes from 1956-1957. He knew his future was coaching, as he surely soaked up everything he learned while with the team. That experience helped him become one of the most recognizable coaches ever.

Holtz’s final coaching stop, South Carolina, remembers him

After retiring in 1996, Holtz took a few seasons off from the game. There were some NFL rumors, but they never came to fruition, but the coaching bug was still there. Holtz took over the Gamecocks program in 1999 through 2004, compiling a 33-37 record with two bowl appearances and wins.

South Bend will never forget Lou Holtz

The Holtz legacy will live on forever, especially in South Bend. It’s fitting that inside Notre Dame Stadium they showed this logo, as this won’t be the last time it’s on the big board.

ESPN’s Mike Greenberg

It wasn’t just on the football field that Holtz made an impact, as he cared about everyone he came across. He seemed like someone you could talk to about anything, and in this case with ESPN’s Mike Greenberg, that was the case.

Former Notre Dame quarterback Ian Book

Book didn’t play for Holtz, but he felt his impact while with the Irish. It’s hard not to, as he was part of so many special moments for Notre Dame. A sad day for many.

Skip Holtz shows his father love

Skip and his family will feel this loss the most, as he knows how “significant” his father was. He’d follow in his footsteps as well, but it was earned. Starting as a graduate assistant at Florida State, then Colorado State as its wide receivers coach before joining his dad in South Bend in 1990. Skip would rise to offensive coordinator in 1992 before leaving to be Connecticut’s head coach in 1994.

Russell Wilson

The great football coaches always take the time for others, and Holtz surely did that with Wilson. He never coached the quarterback, but the respect was earned a different way. Holtz always managed to make an impact on someone’s life.

Lou Holtz believed in Tim Brown before he did

Holtz could see the talent in Brown, just that he needed a push to get there. There is plenty of power in belief, and his former coach had plenty of that for him. Brown would go on to win the Heisman Trophy in 1997, cementing his status as a Notre Dame legend also.

Holtz was more than a coach to Jerome “The Bus” Bettis

The pain for Bettis is mixed in with gratitude, as Holtz didn’t just make an impact for him on the field, but off it as well. This is the story with many of his former players, as he treated all of them as if they were his son’s.

A Knute Rockne and Lou Holtz circle

It’s odd how life works sometimes, and this became a Notre Dame full circle. One Irish legend was born in Rockne, and another in Holtz has passed. It’s a day that will live in Notre Dame infamy.

Former co-worker Rece Davis

For many years these two were the face of college football for ESPN along with Mark May. It was a must watch recap show for any fan, and sparked many debates in the sport. Davis knows personally how much an impact Holtz made.

Clemson head coach Dabo Swinney pays his respects

It’s pretty obvious it wasn’t just Holtz’s programs where he made an impact, it was people. Swinney, like the Notre Dame legend, has been at the top of the college football mountain, and knows how much he meant to the game.

Autry Denson remembers his former coach

Holtz molded men, not just football players and Denson is another example of that. The impact that his former head coach had on him was huge, as he’d also go into coaching following his playing career.

Holtz’s Heroes Foundation remembers its namesake

It’s one thing to have an impact on people, it’s another to encourage others to do the same. Holtz has that impact, and its clear though this foundation that his message will continue on.

A classic quote from Lou Holtz

The coach had many but this one stood out to many. May wasn’t as universally liked as Holtz was, and often made some questionable assessments. This was a great quote following one of those May-moments.

Rick Mirer, one of Holtz’s quarterbacks remembers his coach

Mirer continues the trend of former Holtz players to praise their former head coach not just about football, but life. It says so much about a person who changes people for the better.

Urban Meyer remembers his mentor

Holtz hired Meyer to his staff in 1996, and while the two would only coach together for that season, it was a memorable one. The pair of Hall of Famers always had a great relationship, even if there was a disagreement, in this case with Meyer taking the Bowling Green job, which he did.

Marcus Freeman remembers Holtz

The last Notre Dame head coach to win a national championship shared a bond that many will never have. They both have led the Irish, and it would have been great to see Freeman break the title drought with Holtz in attendance. Unfortunately, that won’t happen, but the Irish could have extra motivation for this upcoming season to do so.

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This article originally appeared on Fighting Irish Wire: Reactions to Notre Dame football legend Lou Holtz passing away

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