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Lou Holtz

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Lou Holtz

Louis Leo Holtz (January 6, 1937 – March 4, 2026) was an American college football coach. He served as the head football coach at the College of William & Mary (1969–1971), North Carolina State University (1972–1975), the New York Jets (1976), the University of Arkansas (1977–1983), the University of Minnesota (1984–1985), the University of Notre Dame (1986–1996), and the University of South Carolina (1999–2004), compiling a career college head coaching record of 249–132–7. Holtz's 1988 Notre Dame team went 12–0 with a victory in the Fiesta Bowl and was the consensus national champion. Holtz is the only college football coach to lead six different programs to bowl games and the only coach to guide four different programs to the final top 15 rankings. After retiring from coaching, Holtz worked as a TV college football analyst for CBS Sports in the 1990s and ESPN from 2005 until 2015. Holtz was elected to the College Football Hall of Fame in 2008.

Infobox

1960
Iowa (assistant)
1968
Ohio State (assistant)
1976
New York Jets
Born
(1937-01-06)January 6, 1937 Follansbee, West Virginia, U .
Died
March 4, 2026(2026-03-04) (aged 89) Orlando, Florida, U .
1956–1957
Kent State
Position
Linebacker
1961–1963
William & Mary (assistant)
1964–1965
Connecticut (assistant)
1966–1967
South Carolina (assistant)
1969–1971
William & Mary
1972–1975
NC State
1977–1983
Arkansas
1984–1985
Minnesota
1986–1996
Notre Dame
1999–2004
South Carolina
Overall
249–132–7 (college) 3–10 (NFL)
Bowls
12–8–2

Tables

· Head coaching record › College
William & Mary Indians (Southern Conference) (1969–1971)
William & Mary Indians (Southern Conference) (1969–1971)
Year
William & Mary Indians (Southern Conference) (1969–1971)
1969
1969
Year
1969
Team
William & Mary
Overall
3–7
Conference
2–2
Standing
4th
1970
1970
Year
1970
Team
William & Mary
Overall
5–7
Conference
3–1
Standing
1st
Bowl/playoffs
L Tangerine
1971
1971
Year
1971
Team
William & Mary
Overall
5–6
Conference
4–1
Standing
2nd
William & Mary:
William & Mary:
Year
William & Mary:
Team
13–20
Overall
9–4
NC State Wolfpack (Atlantic Coast Conference) (1972–1975)
NC State Wolfpack (Atlantic Coast Conference) (1972–1975)
Year
NC State Wolfpack (Atlantic Coast Conference) (1972–1975)
1972
1972
Year
1972
Team
NC State
Overall
8–3–1
Conference
4–1–1
Standing
2nd
Bowl/playoffs
W Peach
AP°
17
1973
1973
Year
1973
Team
NC State
Overall
9–3
Conference
6–0
Standing
1st
Bowl/playoffs
W Liberty
AP°
16
1974
1974
Year
1974
Team
NC State
Overall
9–2–1
Conference
4–2
Standing
2nd
Bowl/playoffs
T Astro-Bluebonnet
Coaches#
9
AP°
11
1975
1975
Year
1975
Team
NC State
Overall
7–4–1
Conference
2–2–1
Standing
4th
Bowl/playoffs
L Peach
NC State:
NC State:
Year
NC State:
Team
33–12–3
Overall
16–5–2
Arkansas Razorbacks (Southwest Conference) (1977–1983)
Arkansas Razorbacks (Southwest Conference) (1977–1983)
Year
Arkansas Razorbacks (Southwest Conference) (1977–1983)
1977
1977
Year
1977
Team
Arkansas
Overall
11–1
Conference
7–1
Standing
2nd
Bowl/playoffs
W Orange
Coaches#
3
AP°
3
1978
1978
Year
1978
Team
Arkansas
Overall
9–2–1
Conference
6–2
Standing
2nd
Bowl/playoffs
T Fiesta
Coaches#
10
AP°
11
1979
1979
Year
1979
Team
Arkansas
Overall
10–2
Conference
7–1
Standing
T–1st
Bowl/playoffs
L Sugar
Coaches#
9
AP°
8
1980
1980
Year
1980
Team
Arkansas
Overall
7–5
Conference
3–5
Standing
6th
Bowl/playoffs
W Hall of Fame Classic
1981
1981
Year
1981
Team
Arkansas
Overall
8–4
Conference
5–3
Standing
4th
Bowl/playoffs
L Gator
Coaches#
16
1982
1982
Year
1982
Team
Arkansas
Overall
9–2–1
Conference
5–2–1
Standing
3rd
Bowl/playoffs
W Astro-Bluebonnet
Coaches#
8
AP°
9
1983
1983
Year
1983
Team
Arkansas
Overall
6–5
Conference
4–4
Standing
5th
Arkansas:
Arkansas:
Year
Arkansas:
Team
60–21–2
Overall
37–18–1
Minnesota Golden Gophers (Big Ten Conference) (1984–1985)
Minnesota Golden Gophers (Big Ten Conference) (1984–1985)
Year
Minnesota Golden Gophers (Big Ten Conference) (1984–1985)
1984
1984
Year
1984
Team
Minnesota
Overall
4–7
Conference
3–6
Standing
8th
1985
1985
Year
1985
Team
Minnesota
Overall
6–5
Conference
4–4
Standing
6th
Bowl/playoffs
Independence
Minnesota:
Minnesota:
Year
Minnesota:
Team
10–12
Overall
7–10
Notre Dame Fighting Irish (Independent) (1986–1996)
Notre Dame Fighting Irish (Independent) (1986–1996)
Year
Notre Dame Fighting Irish (Independent) (1986–1996)
1986
1986
Year
1986
Team
Notre Dame
Overall
5–6
1987
1987
Year
1987
Team
Notre Dame
Overall
8–4
Bowl/playoffs
L Cotton
AP°
17
1988
1988
Year
1988
Team
Notre Dame
Overall
12–0
Bowl/playoffs
W Fiesta
Coaches#
1
AP°
1
1989
1989
Year
1989
Team
Notre Dame
Overall
12–1
Bowl/playoffs
W Orange
Coaches#
3
AP°
2
1990
1990
Year
1990
Team
Notre Dame
Overall
9–3
Bowl/playoffs
L Orange
Coaches#
6
AP°
6
1991
1991
Year
1991
Team
Notre Dame
Overall
10–3
Bowl/playoffs
W Sugar
Coaches#
12
AP°
13
1992
1992
Year
1992
Team
Notre Dame
Overall
10–1–1
Bowl/playoffs
W Cotton†
Coaches#
4
AP°
4
1993
1993
Year
1993
Team
Notre Dame
Overall
11–1
Bowl/playoffs
W Cotton†
Coaches#
2
AP°
2
1994
1994
Year
1994
Team
Notre Dame
Overall
6–5–1
Bowl/playoffs
L Fiesta†
1995
1995
Year
1995
Team
Notre Dame
Overall
9–3
Bowl/playoffs
L Orange†
Coaches#
13
AP°
11
1996
1996
Year
1996
Team
Notre Dame
Overall
8–3
Coaches#
21
AP°
19
Notre Dame:
Notre Dame:
Year
Notre Dame:
Team
100–30–2
South Carolina Gamecocks (Southeastern Conference) (1999–2004)
South Carolina Gamecocks (Southeastern Conference) (1999–2004)
Year
South Carolina Gamecocks (Southeastern Conference) (1999–2004)
1999
1999
Year
1999
Team
South Carolina
Overall
0–11
Conference
0–8
Standing
6th (Eastern)
2000
2000
Year
2000
Team
South Carolina
Overall
8–4
Conference
5–3
Standing
2nd (Eastern)
Bowl/playoffs
W Outback
Coaches#
21
AP°
19
2001
2001
Year
2001
Team
South Carolina
Overall
9–3
Conference
5–3
Standing
3rd (Eastern)
Bowl/playoffs
W Outback
Coaches#
13
AP°
13
2002
2002
Year
2002
Team
South Carolina
Overall
5–7
Conference
3–5
Standing
4th (Eastern)
2003
2003
Year
2003
Team
South Carolina
Overall
5–7
Conference
2–6
Standing
4th (Eastern)
2004
2004
Year
2004
Team
South Carolina
Overall
6–5
Conference
4–4
Standing
3rd (Eastern)
South Carolina:
South Carolina:
Year
South Carolina:
Team
33–37
Overall
19–29
Total:
Total:
Year
Total:
Team
249–132–7
National championship         Conference title         Conference division title or championship game berth
National championship         Conference title         Conference division title or championship game berth
Year
National championship         Conference title         Conference division title or championship game berth
†Indicates Bowl Coalition or Bowl Alliance bowl. from final Coaches Poll. °Rankings from final AP Poll. Source:
†Indicates Bowl Coalition or Bowl Alliance bowl. from final Coaches Poll. °Rankings from final AP Poll. Source:
Year
†Indicates Bowl Coalition or Bowl Alliance bowl. from final Coaches Poll. °Rankings from final AP Poll. Source:
Year
Team
Overall
Conference
Standing
Bowl/playoffs
Coaches#
AP°
William & Mary Indians (Southern Conference) (1969–1971)
1969
William & Mary
3–7
2–2
4th
1970
William & Mary
5–7
3–1
1st
L Tangerine
1971
William & Mary
5–6
4–1
2nd
William & Mary:
13–20
9–4
NC State Wolfpack (Atlantic Coast Conference) (1972–1975)
1972
NC State
8–3–1
4–1–1
2nd
W Peach
17
1973
NC State
9–3
6–0
1st
W Liberty
16
1974
NC State
9–2–1
4–2
2nd
T Astro-Bluebonnet
9
11
1975
NC State
7–4–1
2–2–1
4th
L Peach
NC State:
33–12–3
16–5–2
Arkansas Razorbacks (Southwest Conference) (1977–1983)
1977
Arkansas
11–1
7–1
2nd
W Orange
3
3
1978
Arkansas
9–2–1
6–2
2nd
T Fiesta
10
11
1979
Arkansas
10–2
7–1
T–1st
L Sugar
9
8
1980
Arkansas
7–5
3–5
6th
W Hall of Fame Classic
1981
Arkansas
8–4
5–3
4th
L Gator
16
1982
Arkansas
9–2–1
5–2–1
3rd
W Astro-Bluebonnet
8
9
1983
Arkansas
6–5
4–4
5th
Arkansas:
60–21–2
37–18–1
Minnesota Golden Gophers (Big Ten Conference) (1984–1985)
1984
Minnesota
4–7
3–6
8th
1985
Minnesota
6–5
4–4
6th
Independence
Minnesota:
10–12
7–10
Notre Dame Fighting Irish (Independent) (1986–1996)
1986
Notre Dame
5–6
1987
Notre Dame
8–4
L Cotton
17
1988
Notre Dame
12–0
W Fiesta
1
1
1989
Notre Dame
12–1
W Orange
3
2
1990
Notre Dame
9–3
L Orange
6
6
1991
Notre Dame
10–3
W Sugar
12
13
1992
Notre Dame
10–1–1
W Cotton†
4
4
1993
Notre Dame
11–1
W Cotton†
2
2
1994
Notre Dame
6–5–1
L Fiesta†
1995
Notre Dame
9–3
L Orange†
13
11
1996
Notre Dame
8–3
21
19
Notre Dame:
100–30–2
South Carolina Gamecocks (Southeastern Conference) (1999–2004)
1999
South Carolina
0–11
0–8
6th (Eastern)
2000
South Carolina
8–4
5–3
2nd (Eastern)
W Outback
21
19
2001
South Carolina
9–3
5–3
3rd (Eastern)
W Outback
13
13
2002
South Carolina
5–7
3–5
4th (Eastern)
2003
South Carolina
5–7
2–6
4th (Eastern)
2004
South Carolina
6–5
4–4
3rd (Eastern)
South Carolina:
33–37
19–29
Total:
249–132–7
National championship Conference title Conference division title or championship game berth
†Indicates Bowl Coalition or Bowl Alliance bowl. from final Coaches Poll. °Rankings from final AP Poll. Source:
· Head coaching record › NFL
Won
Won
Team
Won
Year
Lost
Regular season
Ties
Regular season
Win %
Regular season
Finish
Regular season
Won
Regular season
Lost
Postseason
Win %
Postseason
Result
NYJ
NYJ
Team
NYJ
Year
1976
Regular season
3
Regular season
10
Regular season
0
Regular season
231
Regular season
4th in AFC East
Postseason
–
Postseason
–
Postseason
–
Postseason
–
Total
Total
Team
Total
Year
3
Regular season
10
Regular season
0
Regular season
231
Regular season
–
Postseason
–
Postseason
–
Overall total
Overall total
Team
Overall total
Year
3
Regular season
10
Regular season
0
Regular season
231
Regular season
NFL Championships (0)
Team
Year
Regular season
Postseason
Won
Lost
Ties
Win %
Finish
Won
Lost
Win %
Result
NYJ
1976
3
10
0
231
4th in AFC East
–
–
–
–
Total
3
10
0
231
–
–
–
Overall total
3
10
0
231
NFL Championships (0)

References

  1. Holtz left Minnesota for Notre Dame before the Independence Bowl, which was coached by John Gutekunst.
  2. Kent State Today
    https://www.kent.edu/today/news/remembering-lou-holtz
  3. "Aikman, Cannon, Holtz head for College Football Hall of Fame"
    https://web.archive.org/web/20080504033534/http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2008/football/ncaa/05/01/cfb.hall.ap/index.html
  4. United Press International
    https://www.upi.com/Top_News/2019/01/06/UPI-Almanac-for-Sunday-Jan-6-2019/8591546568650/
  5. Perfect Rivals
    https://books.google.com/books?id=J2cMP5xeI34C&q=Lou+Holtz+1937+Anne&pg=PA40
  6. Unbeatable: Notre Dame's 1988 Championship and the Last Great College Football Season: Notre Dame's 1988 Championship and the Last Great College Football Season
    https://books.google.com/books?id=xU2iLCrLEOwC&q=Lou+Holtz+Tychonievich&pg=PA24
  7. The Razorbacks: A Story of Arkansas Football
    https://books.google.com/books?id=_uVLLve1aI0C&q=Lou+Holtz+Tychonievich&pg=PA293
  8. reviewonline
    https://www.reviewonline.com/sports/local-sports/2026/03/east-liverpool-shaped-holtz/
  9. Kent Campus
    https://www.kent.edu/alumni-and-giving/news/congratulations-lou-holtz-59-who-received-presidential-medal-freedom#:~:text=He%20holds%20a%20bachelor's%20degree,like%20most%20about%20Kent%20State?
  10. "Biography: Lou Holtz"
    https://web.archive.org/web/20110715161256/https://www.real-life-training-films.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=49&Itemid=54
  11. Notre Dame Fighting Irish - Official Athletics Website
    https://fightingirish.com/lou-holtz-legendary-national-championship-coach-passes-away/
  12. South Bend Tribune
    https://www.southbendtribune.com/story/sports/college/football/2026/03/04/notre-dame-football-coaching-legend-lou-holtz-dies-at-age-89/83905681007/
  13. "Player Bio: Lou Holtz"
    https://web.archive.org/web/20091208102240/http://gamecocksonline.cstv.com/sports/m-footbl/mtt/holtz_lou00.html
  14. The Evening News
    https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=1982&dat=19760210&id=YidHAAAAIBAJ&sjid=AzQNAAAAIBAJ&pg=1257,1222474
  15. The New York Times
    https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=1982&dat=19760210&id=YidHAAAAIBAJ&sjid=AzQNAAAAIBAJ&pg=1257,1222474
  16. Sports Reference
    https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/schools/arkansas/coaches.html
  17. Sports Reference
    https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/schools/arkansas/bowls.html
  18. Lewiston Morning Tribune
    https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=fYRfAAAAIBAJ&sjid=4DAMAAAAIBAJ&pg=4601%2C442075
  19. Wilmington Morning Star (location=North Carolina)
    https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=dsxOAAAAIBAJ&sjid=OBMEAAAAIBAJ&pg=2750%2C507272
  20. "Biography – Lou Holtz"
    https://web.archive.org/web/20120728085115/http://www.hickoksports.com/biograph/holtzlou.shtml
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