Louis Leo "Lou" Holtz (born January 6, 1937) is a retired American football player, coach, and active sportscaster, author, and motivational speaker. He served as the head football coach at The College of William & Mary (1969–1971), North Carolina State University (1972–1975), the University of Arkansas (1977–1983), the University of Minnesota (1984–1985), the University of Notre Dame (1986–1996), and the University of South Carolina (1999–2004), compiling a career record of 249–132–7. Holtz's 1988 Notre Dame team went 12–0 with a victory in the Fiesta Bowl and was the consensus national champion. Holtz is the only college football coach to lead six different programs to bowl games and the only coach to guide four different programs to the final top 20 rankings. Holtz also coached the New York Jets of the NFL during the 1976 season.Over the years, the slender, bespectacled Holtz has become known for his quick wit and ability to inspire players. He is often found as a guest on the popular Richmond, Virginia based Kain Road Radio. In 2005, Holtz joined ESPN as a college football analyst. On May 1, 2008, Holtz was elected to the College Football Hall of Fame.
Skip Holtz, Luanne Altenbaumer, Elizabeth Messaglia, Kevin Holtz
Parents
Anne Marie Holtz, Andrew Holtz
TV Shows
College GameDay (Football), College Football Live, College Football Scoreboard, College Football Final
Star Sign
Capricorn
#
Trademark
1
Always downplayed his teams
#
Quote
1
This is a great football team because nobody proved it otherwise. [on his 1988 National Championship team at Notre Dame]
2
Rice scares me to death. [before facing an 0-8 Rice team in 1988]
#
Fact
1
College football analyst for ESPN [September 2005]
2
Took every team he coached to at least one bowl game. Did not coach the Minnesota Gophers in the 1985 Independence Bowl because he had already accepted the head coaching position at Notre Dame.
3
Served as an assistant coach at Iowa (1960); William & Mary (1961-1963); Connecticut (1964-1965); South Carolina (1966-1967) and Ohio State (1968), when the Buckeyes were national champions. Served as head coach at William & Mary (1969-1971); North Carolina State (1972-1975); New York Jets (1976); Arkansas (1977-1983); University of Minnesota (1984-1985); Notre Dame (1986-1996) and South Carolina (1999-2004). Retired from coaching after the 2004 season.
4
Played football at Kent State. Graduated in 1959.
5
Named national coach of the year in 1977 and 1988.
6
Compiled a 100-30-2 record at Notre Dame. Won a national championship in 1988 and had two near-misses in 1989 and 1993. Had a school record 23-game winning steak in 1988-1989 and a 17-game winning streak in 1992-1993. Coached the Fighting Irish in more games than any other football coach in school history and is second only to Knute Rockne in total victories. Took Notre Dame to nine consecutive bowl games, winning five of them.
Actor
Title
Year
Status
Character
Special Agent Oso
2011
TV Series
Uncle Lou
Self
Title
Year
Status
Character
Zig: You Were Born to Win
2017
Documentary
Himself
The Bowden Dynasty: A Story of Faith, Family & Football
2017
Documentary
Himself
Hannity
2009-2016
TV Series
Himself - Panelist / Himself / Himself - Former Notre Dame Coach
Bob Massi Is the Property Man
2016
TV Series
Himself
Born To Lead: The Sal Aunese Story
2016
Documentary
Himself
30 for 30
2010-2015
TV Series documentary
Himself
Onward Notre Dame: Mutual Respect
2015
TV Movie documentary
Himself - Notre Dame Head Football Coach, 1986-1996
A Football Life
2015
TV Series
Himself
The Bo You Don't Know
2015
Documentary short
Himself
30 for 30 Shorts
2015
TV Series documentary short
Himself
2014 Popeyes Bahamas Bowl
2014
TV Movie
Himself - Color Commentator
Feherty
2014
TV Series
Himself
Fox and Friends
2013-2014
TV Series
Himself
Huckabee
2013-2014
TV Series
Himself - Former Notre Dame Head Football Coach / Himself - ESPN College Football Analyst
2013 Sheraton Hawaii Bowl
2013
TV Special
Himself - Colo Commentator
2011 San Diego County Credit Union Poinsettia Bowl
2011
TV Movie
Himself - Color Commentator
2010 Beef 'O' Brady's Bowl
2010
TV Movie
Himself - Color Commentator
2009 Maaco Las Vegas Bowl
2009
TV Movie
Himself - Color Commentator
The Blind Side
2009
Himself
2008 San Diego County Credit Union Poinsettia Bowl
2008
TV Movie
Himself - Color Commentator
2008 GMAC Bowl
2008
TV Movie
Himself - Color Commentator
College Football Live
2007
TV Series
Himself - Analyst
2006 San Diego County Credit Union Poinsettia Bowl