Lou Holtz, the legendary college football coach, died at the age of 89 on Wednesday, March 4, 2026.
He was best known for leading the Notre Dame Fighting Irish to their last national championship in 1988.
Holtz’s family sources revealed that the veteran trainer had been facing health issues and was moved to a hospice facility in Orlando, Florida.
Current Notre Dame head coach Marcus Freeman expressed his sadness over Holtz’s death and paid him a heartfelt tribute.
Freeman said, “We are deeply saddened to learn of the passing of Lou Holtz.”
He added: “Lou’s impact on Notre Dame has gone far beyond the football field. He and his wife, Beth, are respected across campus for their generous hearts and commitment to carrying out Notre Dame’s mission.”
Holtz had a celebrated career as a college football coach. He coached for 33 seasons and won 249 games, lost 132 and tied 7.
Most of his success came at Notre Dame, where his team won 100 games, lost 30 and tied 2 between 1986 and 1996.
In addition to Notre Dame, Holtz served at Minnesota, South Carolina, Arkansas, North Carolina State University and William & Mary.
Holtz retired from coaching college football in 2004 after a six-season stint at the University of South Carolina. He was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in 2008.
The exact cause of Holtz’s death is unknown.
Why did Lou Holtz leave Notre Dame?
He left Notre Dame due to “exhaustion from maintaining the high standards” he had set. The veteran coach coached the team for 11 seasons and left after the 1996 season, with a record of 99-29-2.
According Los Angeles TimesHoltz felt that he had accomplished all he could and that it was the right time to move on, rather than simply break records.
