Whenever I asked my late grandfather about Lou Holtz, his response was always the same: “He was the best Notre Dame football coach I’ve ever seen.”
As a young boy in the 1940s, my grandfather listened to every Notre Dame game on the radio as Frank Leahy guided the Irish to four national championships. He never missed a moment of the Ara Parseghian and Dan Devine eras. So for him to say this, having witnessed coaches now enshrined on campus, was bold.
But he stuck to his guns. An honest, devout Catholic, my grandfather didn’t mince words. He always called it like he saw it.
Throughout my childhood, I clung to my grandfather’s side as we watched the Irish every Saturday in the fall. On these sacred days, he would tell me countless stories of all the legendary golden Domers. I learned a great deal about Notre Dame football history by listening to my grandfather recall tales of old despite battling from an aggressive form of Parkinson’s disease.
During those hard times, when my grandfather was hallucinating and could barely speak, stories of Notre Dame football ignited a spark in his body. For a moment, he was his true self again.
More often than not, Holtz would be mentioned one way or another. I heard how he was a winner. I heard how he was a trash-talker — an amazing one at that. I heard how he represented everything Notre Dame stood for.
There was also one story in particular I heard all the time.
My grandfather and my dad were on campus in 1988 for the Notre Dame vs. Penn State game. At the pep rally beforehand, Holtz gave the most Coach Holtz quote of all-time.
“This school’s got so much spirit you could put pads on the band and we’ll kick their ass.”
The next night, Holtz delivered on his promise. The Irish trounced the Nittany Lions 21-13 and somehow, someway after the game, my grandfather and dad managed to jump onto the field. From there, they naturally wandered outside the locker room. Nobody seemed to bat an eye.
Suddenly Holtz appeared, emerging from the darkness in his iconic blue sweater and Notre Dame hat. He walked over to my grandfather and dad, shook their hands and thanked them for their support.
37 years later, I became the first Dailey to step foot onto Notre Dame’s campus as a student after transferring from Holy Cross College. Only a few weeks into the year, I came across my first big break: covering Notre Dame vs. Texas A&M for The Observer.
I wanted my article to be perfect, so I skipped out on tailgating for the day. Looking for something to do, I roamed around campus, eventually finding a landing spot at the Morris Inn.
About an hour into watching games alongside Notre Dame alumni, my Dad called to tell me Holtz was spotted at the Morris Inn earlier. I told him I didn’t see him. Even if I did, I figured he would have more security than the president.
Two minutes after hanging up with my dad, I decided I wanted to get a move on. But while walking outside the Morris Inn, I was stopped in my tracks.
Two seconds later, I realized why: Lou Holtz was sitting outside ... smoking a pipe.
A small line had formed to take photos with him and I immediately hopped in. Holtz smiled for photo after photo as the crowd grew increasingly larger. When it came my turn to sit on the bench next to Holtz, his manager told the crowd this would be the last photo of the day.
I quickly whispered to him, “I transferred to Notre Dame from Holy Cross, just like your son, Skip.”
Although frail, Holtz uttered back, “Holy Cross is a terrific school.”
A kind man snapped a few photos of us. I then stood, shook Holtz’s hand, and walked back to Duncan Hall in awe of what had just happened. Once in my room, I called my family to share the news.
My dad was ecstatic. My mom was in shock. My uncles were all jumping for joy.
And in heaven.
My grandfather was pumping his arms.
In my family, Holtz is more than just a football coach. He has transcended that label. Rather, he is, was and will forever be the golden standard.
May Holtz rest in peace. A true Irish legend, he embodied everything that makes this school so special. If we all strive to lead like Holtz did, this campus and this world will certainly become a better place.
