Remembering those we recently lost
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Key moments and achievements from Louis Holtz's life.
Louis was born
· Orlando, Florida, U.S.
Career Achievement
In 1969, Lou Holtz received his first head coaching position at the College of William & Mary, where he served until 1971. This appointment launched a remarkable coaching career that would span six different college programs, making Holtz the only coach in college football history to lead six different teams to bowl games.
Career Achievement
In 1969, Lou Holtz received his first head coaching position at the College of William & Mary, where he served until 1971. This appointment launched a remarkable coaching career that would span six different college programs, making Holtz the only coach in college football history to lead six different teams to bowl games.
Career Achievement
As head coach at North Carolina State from 1972 to 1975, Holtz built the Wolfpack into a competitive ACC program. His success at NC State, including winning the ACC championship and leading the team to bowl game appearances, demonstrated his ability to quickly transform struggling programs into winners.
Career Achievement
As head coach at North Carolina State from 1972 to 1975, Holtz built the Wolfpack into a competitive ACC program. His success at NC State, including winning the ACC championship and leading the team to bowl game appearances, demonstrated his ability to quickly transform struggling programs into winners.
Career Achievement
In 1976, Holtz took on the challenge of coaching the New York Jets, his only foray into professional football. Though his time in the NFL was brief, lasting just one season with a 3-10 record before he resigned, the experience reinforced his passion for the college game and the unique ability to mold young players.
Career Achievement
In 1976, Holtz took on the challenge of coaching the New York Jets, his only foray into professional football. Though his time in the NFL was brief, lasting just one season with a 3-10 record before he resigned, the experience reinforced his passion for the college game and the unique ability to mold young players.
Career Achievement
From 1977 to 1983, Holtz led the University of Arkansas Razorbacks, compiling a 60-21-2 record and guiding the team to six consecutive bowl games. His 1977 team went 11-1 and won the Orange Bowl, establishing Arkansas as a national contender and further building Holtz's reputation as one of college football's elite coaches.
Career Achievement
From 1977 to 1983, Holtz led the University of Arkansas Razorbacks, compiling a 60-21-2 record and guiding the team to six consecutive bowl games. His 1977 team went 11-1 and won the Orange Bowl, establishing Arkansas as a national contender and further building Holtz's reputation as one of college football's elite coaches.
Career Achievement
In 1986, Holtz was named head football coach at the University of Notre Dame, inheriting a program that had fallen from its storied tradition of excellence. He immediately began rebuilding, instituting new traditions including the famous "Play Like A Champion Today" sign in the locker room and removing names from the backs of jerseys to emphasize team unity.
Career Achievement
In 1986, Holtz was named head football coach at the University of Notre Dame, inheriting a program that had fallen from its storied tradition of excellence. He immediately began rebuilding, instituting new traditions including the famous "Play Like A Champion Today" sign in the locker room and removing names from the backs of jerseys to emphasize team unity.
Won Award
Holtz's 1988 Notre Dame Fighting Irish went 12-0, capping the season with a Fiesta Bowl victory to claim the consensus national championship. The title run began a remarkable 64-9-1 stretch that included a 23-game winning streak, back-to-back 12-win seasons for the first time in school history, and a program-record nine consecutive bowl appearances.
Won Award
Holtz's 1988 Notre Dame Fighting Irish went 12-0, capping the season with a Fiesta Bowl victory to claim the consensus national championship. The title run began a remarkable 64-9-1 stretch that included a 23-game winning streak, back-to-back 12-win seasons for the first time in school history, and a program-record nine consecutive bowl appearances.
Won Award
In 2008, Holtz was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame, recognizing his career record of 249-132-7 across six college programs. He remains the only college football coach to lead six different programs to bowl games and the only coach to guide four different programs to final top-15 national rankings.
Won Award
In 2008, Holtz was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame, recognizing his career record of 249-132-7 across six college programs. He remains the only college football coach to lead six different programs to bowl games and the only coach to guide four different programs to final top-15 national rankings.
Won Award
On December 3, 2020, Holtz was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom by President Donald Trump, the nation's highest civilian honor. The medal recognized not only his extraordinary coaching achievements but also his contributions as a motivational speaker, author, and philanthropist who inspired millions through his philosophy of life and leadership.
Won Award
On December 3, 2020, Holtz was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom by President Donald Trump, the nation's highest civilian honor. The medal recognized not only his extraordinary coaching achievements but also his contributions as a motivational speaker, author, and philanthropist who inspired millions through his philosophy of life and leadership.
Louis Holtz passed away
