Lou Holtz, head coach of the 1988 national championship Notre Dame football team, died on Wednesday at the age of 89. A beloved icon in Notre Dame history, Holtz guided the Irish from 1986-1996. He was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in 2008.
Despite ongoing health issues throughout the final years of his life, Holtz remained present around Notre Dame football. He appeared at the 2024 College Football Playoff National Championship Game loss to Ohio State, as well as back on campus in South Bend for this past season’s game against Texas A&M. The former head coach at both Minnesota and Arkansas Holtz also made an appearance at September 2025’s contest in Fayeteville between the Razorbacks and the Irish.
A lifelong Catholic, Holtz’s impact for the Notre Dame community extended well beyond the field boundaries inside Notre Dame Stadium. His former players developed Holtz’s Heroes, a foundation with the mission of supporting former student-athletes facing financial, physical or mental hardships. The nonprofit also provides scholarship aid to deserving youth and serves communities in need through charitable work. Holtz’s family also endowed The Beth and Lou Holtz Family Grand Reading Room on the first and second floors of Hesburgh Library on Notre Dame’s campus. The Holtz family also supported the Rockne Heritage Fund, and in 1991, they endowed the Lou and Beth Holtz Family Scholarship to assist undergraduate students with financial need.
Holtz is survived by his four children, Luanne, Lou ‘Skip’ Jr., Kevin and Elizabeth, with the latter three all graduating from the University. More to come.
In a Notre Dame athletics news release, University President Fr. Robert Dowd said, “Notre Dame mourns the loss of Lou Holtz, a legendary football coach, a beloved member of the Notre Dame family and devoted husband, father and grandfather. Among his many accomplishments, we will remember him above all as a teacher, leader and mentor who brought out the very best in his players, on and off the field, earning their respect and admiration for a lifetime. In the years since leaving the head football coach position, Lou, together with his beloved wife, Beth, supported Notre Dame in innumerable ways, among them making possible the refurbishment of four residence hall chapels and the construction of the Beth and Lou Holtz Grand Reading Room on the first floor of Hesburgh Library — tangible signs of their great love for their Catholic faith and the mission of Our Lady’s University. Whenever Notre Dame called to ask for his help, Lou answered with his characteristic generosity, and he will be sorely missed. The prayers of the entire Notre Dame community are with his family and many friends in this time of sorrow. May he rest in the peace and love of Christ.”
