Lou Holtz Visitation, Funeral Service and Burial Details Announced

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Lou Holtz Visitation, Funeral Service and Burial Details Announced

Lou Holtz, one of college football‘s most respected coaches and a man who made a career out of turning programs around, died at 89. His family confirmed the news Wednesday.

Notre Damereleased a statement saying Holtz passed away peacefully in Orlando, Florida, surrounded by his loved ones.

Holtz is best remembered for leading Notre Dame to the 1988 national championship, but his record tells a broader story. He coached at William & Mary, NC State, Arkansas, Minnesota, Notre Dame and South Carolina, finishing his college career with a 249-132-7 record. He also had a brief NFL stint with the New York Jets in 1976, going 3-10. After stepping away from the sidelines, Holtz spent more than a decade as an analyst at ESPN.

Former North Carolina State Wolfpack head coach Lou Holtz is honored along with his 1973 football teamRob Kinnan-Imagn Images

The funeral arrangements have since been confirmed by Dawson Funeral Home.

Services will be held at the University of Notre Dame. A visitation is set for Sunday, March 15, 2026 from 7 to 10 p.m. at the Basilica of the Sacred Heart. A Mass of Christian Burial follows Monday, March 16 at 1:00 p.m. at the same location, with burial at Cedar Grove Cemetery in Notre Dame, Indiana.

The Mass will be live streamed for those unable to attend. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial donations be made to the Holtz Charitable Foundation.

Few coaches left a mark on college football the way Holtz did. On December 3, 2020, President Trump awarded him the Presidential Medal of Freedom at the White House, the highest civilian honor in the country, recognizing his impact as a coach and a leader.

His obituary reflected the values he carried throughout his life. Holtz built everything around three principles he returned to constantly: do what is right, do it to the best of your ability and show people you care.

Those were not just words for him. They shaped his teams, his programs and the lives of the young men who played for him.

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This story was originally published by Athlon Sports on Mar 5, 2026, where it first appeared in the College Football section. Add Athlon Sports as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

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