Legendary college football coach Lou Holtz, who led the Notre Dame Fighting Irish to their last national championship in 1988, has died, the school announced on Wednesday. Holtz was 89. The former coach had been in failing health in recent months with his family announcing he’d been moved to hospice care in Orlando, Florida. In 33 seasons on the college sidelines, Holtz went 249-132-7 with a bulk of that work coming in South Bend, where the Irish were 100-30-2 from 1986 to 1996. “We are deeply saddened to learn of the passing of Lou Holtz,” current Notre Dame coach Marcus Freeman said in a statement. “Lou’s impact at Notre Dame has gone well beyond the football field. He and his wife, Beth, are respected across campus for their generous hearts and commitment to carry out Notre Dame’s mission.” NCAA Nov 22, 2025 Are live animals as college football mascots on their way out? A history of the practice College Football Jan 20 Indiana's transformation from basketball school to football powerhouse is complete NHL Dec 22, 2025 From football to hockey: Nick Saban's new role with the Nashville Predators Holtz’s head coaching career took him to William Mary, North Carolina State, Arkansas, Minnesota and South Carolina, in addition to Notre Dame. In between the NC State and Arkansas gigs, Holtz tried his hand at pro ball, going 3-10 in one season running the New York Jets. He quit with one game left in that 1976 season. Holtz famously and prophetically said of his time in New York: “God did not put Lou Holtz on this earth to coach in the pros.” He could not have been more correct, immediately landing inFayetteville and leading the Razorbacks to glory. The Hogs were 60-21-2 in Holtz’s time there, with only one coach to win more games at Arkansas since his departure. ...read more read less