Lou Holtz (1937–2026) was a Hall of Fame college football coach who served as the head football coach at the University of Notre Dame from 1985 to 1996, leading the Fighting Irish to the consensus national championship in 1988.
He was also a popular motivational speaker and an author of several books, including A Teen’s Game Plan for Life, Three Rules for Living a Good Life, A Lifetime of Love, the New York Times bestselling The Fighting Spirit about Notre Dame’s 1988 championship season, and his autobiography Wins, Losses, and Lessons. After leaving coaching, Holtz became a college football analyst for ESPN until retiring in 2015.
Holtz received numerous honorary doctorate degrees and has received a number of honors not only for coaching but also for his philanthropy. He was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in 2008.
Holtz and his wife, Beth, had four grown children, nine grandchildren, and one great-grandchild. He lived in Orlando, Florida.
