Lou Holtz, the quick-witted college football coach who led Notre Dame to a national championship in 1988 and burnished his reputation as a master at rebuilding programs, has died at the age of 89, his family said Wednesday.

Lou Holtz, the quick-witted college football coach who led Notre Dame to a national championship in 1988 and burnished his reputation as a master at rebuilding programs, has died at the age of 89, his family said Wednesday.

According to a statement released by Notre Dame, Holtz died in Orlando, Florida, where he was surrounded by family. A spokesperson said a cause of death was not provided by the family.

“He was successful, but more important he was Significant,” his son Skip wrote on social media.

Current Fighting Irish coach Marcus Freeman said Holtz had offered him “great support” since he arrived in South Bend and praised the values Holtz emphasized to him: love, trust and commitment.

“Lou’s impact at Notre Dame has gone well beyond the football field,” Freeman said in a statement on social media. “He and his wife, Beth, are respected across campus for their generous hearts and commitment to carrying out Notre Dame’s mission of being a force for good. On behalf of the Notre Dame football program, we send our love to Lou’s family, friends and former players, wishing you all comfort and peace during this difficult time.”

Holtz had a 249-132-7 record over his head coaching career with six schools: William & Mary, NC State, Arkansas, Minnesota, Notre Dame and South Carolina. He also coached the New York Jets for the 1976 season, finishing 3-10. 

After retiring from coaching, Holtz worked in television, including more than a decade with ESPN, but what he did with the Irish stands as his greatest accomplishment. 

Notre Dame hired Holtz in 1986 to restore a once-proud program that had stumbled under Gerry Faust. The hire fulfilled a childhood dream for Holtz, who grew up in the 1940s listening to Notre Dame football on the radio and attending Sisters of Notre Dame at St. Aloysius Grade School in East Liverpool, Ohio. Throughout his career, he fondly recalled marching to the Notre Dame victory march every day at noon, recess and dismissal. Holtz even had a “Notre Dame clause” written into his Minnesota contract that would allow him to leave for the Irish only if he took the Gophers to a bowl game.

That happened in 1985, opening the door for Holtz to lead the Irish. 

“I could not possibly turn down the opportunity to come to Notre Dame,” he said during his introductory news conference. “I just felt this was the dream of a lifetime.” 

He added to ESPN in 2025: “I remember at school that we would pray every Friday before a game for Notre Dame’s success. So it’s just part of our religion. It’s a part of the way we are, and the football team should reflect the values of Notre Dame. That means we had to play with great enthusiasm, we had to play together. We had to play with great character, great integrity, but we also should be playing for our lady on the Dome.” …