Lou Holtz, the hard-driving coach who in 1988 became the last to lead Notre Dame football to the national championship, died Wednesday, March 4. He was 89.
Multiple media outlets reported on Jan. 29 that Holtz was in hospice care.
Brash, direct and occasionally controversial during his 11 seasons on the Irish sideline from 1986-96, Holtz remained one of the leading proponents of Notre Dame’s football tradition, even in retirement.
“For those who know Notre Dame, no explanation is necessary,” Holtz liked to say. “For those who don’t, no explanation will suffice.”
The same could be said of Holtz, who had his share of detractors yet inspired fierce loyalty among his former players during a 33-year head coaching career that included stops at William & Mary (1969-71), N.C. State (1972-75), Arkansas (1977-83), Minnesota (1984-85) and South Carolina (1999-2004).
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