Lou Holtz
Lou Holtz carved out an extraordinary legacy in college football, becoming one of the sport's most recognizable and successful coaches. From leading multiple underdog teams to bowl victories to capturing a national championship with Notre Dame, his career was marked by both triumph and an unforgettable, plain-spoken style. Dive into the remarkable journey of a coach who defied expectations and left an indelible mark on the game. Lou Holtz is the only coach to lead six different college football programs to bowl games and four to a final Top 15 ranking, showcasing his unparalleled ability to rebuild teams. His coaching pinnacle was the undefeated 1988 Notre Dame team, which secured a consensus national championship. Beyond the sidelines, Holtz forged a prominent career as a television analyst and remains an influential, if sometimes controversial, public figure.
AI Summary
Lou Holtz carved out an extraordinary legacy in college football, becoming one of the sport's most recognizable and successful coaches. From leading multiple underdog teams to bowl victories to capturing a national championship with Notre Dame, his career was marked by both triumph and an unforgettable, plain-spoken style. Dive into the remarkable journey of a coach who defied expectations and left an indelible mark on the game.
- Lou Holtz is the only coach to lead six different college football programs to bowl games and four to a final Top 15 ranking, showcasing his unparalleled ability to rebuild teams.
- His coaching pinnacle was the undefeated 1988 Notre Dame team, which secured a consensus national championship.
- Beyond the sidelines, Holtz forged a prominent career as a television analyst and remains an influential, if sometimes controversial, public figure.
The Legendary Lou Holtz
Louis Leo Holtz is a name synonymous with college football—a legendary figure who achieved unparalleled success across multiple programs. With a career college head coaching record of 249 wins, 132 losses, and 7 ties, Holtz cemented his place in the sport's history. He is famously the only coach to lead six different programs to bowl games and guide four different teams to a final top 15 ranking.
Born in Follansbee, West Virginia, and raised in East Liverpool, Ohio, Holtz's journey began with humble roots. After graduating from Kent State University with a history degree, he started his coaching path as a graduate assistant in 1960. His early assistant roles included stops at prestigious programs like Ohio State, where he even earned a national championship ring in 1968.
Laying the Foundation: William & Mary
Holtz earned his first head coaching opportunity in 1969 at the College of William & Mary. It didn't take long for his impact to be felt. By 1970, he had led the William & Mary Indians to a Southern Conference title and a berth in the Tangerine Bowl, signaling his arrival as a coach who could quickly turn programs around.
Building Momentum: North Carolina State
His success at William & Mary paved the way for a move to North Carolina State University in 1972. Over four seasons, Holtz compiled an impressive 33–12–3 record, guiding the Wolfpack to an ACC Championship in 1973 and three consecutive Top 20 finishes, including a Top 10 ranking in 1974. His teams played in four bowl games, demonstrating his knack for building competitive programs.
The NFL Detour: New York Jets
In 1976, Holtz made his lone foray into the professional ranks, accepting the head coaching position for the NFL's New York Jets. However, the experience was short-lived and difficult. He famously resigned with one game left in the season, lamenting, 'God did not put Lou Holtz on this earth to coach in the pros.' It was a rare misstep in an otherwise stellar career.
Razorback Revival: Arkansas
Returning to college football, Holtz took the reins at the University of Arkansas in 1977, where he swiftly engineered one of college football's most memorable upsets. In his first season, a shorthanded Razorbacks squad defeated Barry Switzer's Oklahoma Sooners 31–6 in the 1978 Orange Bowl, with some polls even recognizing Arkansas as co-national champions for 1977. His tenure saw a 60–21–2 record and an SWC championship, though it ended controversially with his dismissal in 1983, reportedly due to political endorsements.
The Golden Gophers' Turnaround: Minnesota
Holtz next tackled the challenge of the University of Minnesota, taking over a team that had won only a single game in 1983. True to form, he led them to a 7–5 record and an Independence Bowl victory by his second season. His contract famously included a 'Notre Dame clause,' allowing him to leave if that storied coaching job became available—a clause he would soon exercise, though his time at Minnesota was later implicated in NCAA recruiting violations.
The Irish Dynasty: Notre Dame
In 1986, Holtz arrived at a struggling Notre Dame, famously removing the names from the backs of players' jerseys to emphasize team unity over individual stardom. His strict, taskmaster approach quickly paid dividends. After a 5–6 record in his first year, the Irish showed flashes of brilliance, including a dramatic come-from-behind win against archrival USC.
National Champions!
The pinnacle of Holtz's career came in 1988, when he led Notre Dame to a perfect 12–0 season, capped by a resounding victory over West Virginia in the Fiesta Bowl. This undefeated run secured the consensus national championship, etching his name into the annals of Irish football history and fulfilling a dream for a program steeped in tradition.
The success continued, with the 1989 squad setting a school record with a 23-game winning streak and nearly capturing back-to-back national titles. Between 1988 and 1993, Holtz's teams posted an incredible 64–9–1 record, taking the Irish to nine consecutive bowl games—a Notre Dame record that still stands. However, a later NCAA investigation found that Holtz's staff failed to adequately address certain violations, casting a shadow on some aspects of his highly successful tenure.
Holtz left Notre Dame after the 1996 season, despite persistent rumors linking him to NFL jobs throughout his time in South Bend. His profound impact on the program was recognized in 2008 when a statue of the former coach was unveiled on campus, a lasting tribute to the man who brought Notre Dame back to national prominence.
A Carolina Comeback: South Carolina
After two seasons as a television commentator, Holtz emerged from retirement in 1999 to return to the University of South Carolina, where he had once been an assistant. Taking over a team that had finished 1–10, his first season saw a challenging 0–11 record. Yet, in typical Holtz fashion, he orchestrated one of the most remarkable turnarounds in NCAA history, guiding the Gamecocks to an 8–4 record in 2000, culminating in an Outback Bowl win over Ohio State and earning him National Coach of the Year honors.
He followed that with another 9–3 season and an Outback Bowl victory against Ohio State in 2001, establishing the program's best two-year mark. Holtz finished his South Carolina tenure in 2004 with a winning record, but his final game was marred by the infamous Clemson–South Carolina brawl. This period was also later touched by NCAA sanctions for improper benefits and a lack of institutional control, though Holtz maintained no money or inducements were involved.
Beyond the Sidelines: Broadcasting
Throughout the 1990s and from 2005 until 2015, Holtz became a familiar face and voice as a college football analyst for CBS Sports and ESPN. Known for his folksy charm and sometimes blunt opinions, he regularly appeared on pregame, halftime, and postgame shows, often partnering with Rece Davis and Mark May, providing colorful commentary that resonated with fans nationwide.
However, his broadcasting career wasn't without its controversies. In 2008, he faced significant scrutiny after making an ill-advised comparison to Adolf Hitler during an on-air segment, for which he later apologized. He eventually departed from ESPN in 2015, concluding a long and impactful career in sports media.
Personal Life and Public Stances
Outside of football, Holtz was married to Beth Barcus for nearly 60 years until her passing in 2020, and together they raised four children, including fellow coach Skip Holtz. A devout Catholic, he has also been an active voice in Republican Party politics, endorsing figures like Jesse Helms and Donald Trump, even speaking at the 2020 Republican National Convention.
His political views and public comments have sometimes drawn criticism, notably his remarks about Joe Biden being 'a Catholic in name only' during the RNC, which led Notre Dame to distance itself from his statement. Holtz has also been vocal in his disapproval of Colin Kaepernick's kneeling protests, suggesting players should focus on community influence rather than on-field demonstrations.
A Legacy of Honors
Despite the occasional controversy, Lou Holtz's enduring impact on football and leadership has been widely recognized. He was elected to the College Football Hall of Fame in 2008 and has received numerous honorary doctorates from universities like Notre Dame and South Carolina. In 2020, he was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom, a testament to his remarkable career and influence.
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Lou Holtz
Louis Leo Holtz (January 6, 1937 – March 4, 2026) was an American college football coach. He served as the head football coach at the College of William & Mary (1969–1971), North Carolina State University (1972–1975), the New York Jets (1976), 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 college head coaching 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 15 rankings. After retiring from coaching, Holtz worked as a TV college football analyst for CBS Sports in the 1990s and ESPN from 2005 until 2015. Holtz was elected to the College Football Hall of Fame in 2008.
Early life
Lou Holtz
Holtz was born on January 6, 1937, in Follansbee, West Virginia, the son of Anne Marie (Tychonievich) and Andrew Holtz, a bus driver. His father was of German and Irish descent, while his maternal grandparents were emigrants from Chernobyl, Ukraine.
He grew up in East Liverpool, Ohio, and graduated from East Liverpool High School in 1954. He then attended Kent State University, where he was a member of the Delta Upsilon fraternity and was a walk-on for the Kent State football team. He worked part-time at the East Liverpool Review to afford attending college. Holtz also trained under Kent State's U.S. Army Reserve Officers' Training Corps and earned a commission as a Field Artillery Officer in the United States Army Reserve. Holtz graduated in 1959 with a bachelor's degree in history. He then received a master's degree in arts and education from the University of Iowa in 1961.
Career
Lou Holtz
Holtz began his coaching career in 1960 as a graduate assistant at Iowa, where he received his master's degree. From there, he made stops as an assistant at William & Mary (1961–1963), Connecticut (1964–1965), South Carolina (1966–1967) and Ohio State (1968). The 1968 Ohio State team won a national championship with Holtz as an assistant.
William & Mary
Holtz's first job as head coach came in 1969 at the College of William & Mary, who played in the Southern Conference at that time. He led the 1970 William & Mary Indians (now Tribe) to the Southern Conference title and a berth in the Tangerine Bowl.
North Carolina State
In 1972, Holtz moved to North Carolina State University and had a 33–12–3 record in four seasons. His first three teams achieved final Top 20 rankings including a final Top 10 finish in the 1974 Coaches Poll. His 1973 team won the ACC Championship. His Wolfpack teams played in four bowl games, going 2–1–1. Following the 1975 season, Holtz accepted an offer to leave college football and become the head coach of the NFL's New York Jets.
New York Jets
Holtz's lone foray into the NFL professional ranks began when he was appointed head coach of the New York Jets on February 10, 1976. He was selected over Johnny Majors, Darryl Rogers, and Marv Levy. Holtz resigned ten months later on December 9 with the Jets at 3–10 and one game remaining in the 1976 season. Upon his departure, he lamented, "God did not put Lou Holtz on this earth to coach in the pros."
Arkansas
Holtz went to the University of Arkansas as the new head football coach in 1977. In his seven years there, the Razorbacks compiled a 60–21–2 record and reached six bowl games. In his first season at Arkansas, he led the 1977 Razorbacks to a berth in the 1978 Orange Bowl against the Oklahoma Sooners, then coached by University of Arkansas alumnus Barry Switzer. The Sooners were in position to win their third national championship in four seasons after top-ranked Texas lost earlier in the day to fifth-ranked Notre Dame in the Cotton Bowl Classic. Arkansas' chances looked slim after the team lost several key personnel just before the game. In one of his last practices, All-American guard, Leotis Harris suffered a season-ending injury, and only a couple of days later Holtz suspended both starting running backs, Ben Cowins and Michael Forrest, and top receiver, Donny Bobo, for disciplinary reasons. However, behind an Orange Bowl record of 205 yards rushing from reserve running back Roland Sales the Hogs defeated the Sooners, 31–6. That team was recognized by the Rothman (FACT) poll as co-national champions, along with Texas and Notre Dame for 1977. Holtz was widely considered to be the leading candidate to replace Woody Hayes at Ohio State in 1979, but Holtz did not pursue the job because he did not want to follow Hayes.
After a 9-2-1 record with the 1978 Razorbacks and a tie in the 1978 Fiesta Bowl against UCLA, Holtz led the 1979 Razorbacks to a 10–2 record and a share of the SWC championship in 1979. His 1980 team slipped to 7-5 but beat Tulane in the Hall of Fame Classic, and his 1981 squad finished 8-4 after losing to North Carolina in the Gator Bowl. Holtz and his 1982 Hogs finished with a 9-2-1 record after a Bluebonnet Bowl victory over Florida.
Holtz was then dismissed following a 6–5 1983 campaign. At the time, athletic director Frank Broyles stated that Holtz had resigned because he was "tired and burned out", and was not fired. When the university was sued in 2004 in a federal discrimination lawsuit involving Nolan Richardson, Broyles testified about his practices as athletic director that cited Holtz's firing as an example, stating that he had fired Holtz because he was losing the fan base with things he said and did. Holtz confirmed that he had been fired, but that Broyles never gave him a reason, although reports cited his political involvement as a major reason: controversy arose over his having taped two television advertisements from his coach's office endorsing the re-election of Jesse Helms as Senator from North Carolina at a time when Helms was leading the effort to block Martin Luther King Jr. Day from becoming a national holiday.
Minnesota
Holtz accepted the head coaching job at the University of Minnesota before the 1984 season. The 1983 Golden Gophers had only won one game vs. Rice in 1983, but under Holtz 1984 team won four games including 3 in the Big Ten. The 1985 team was 7-5 and were invited to the 1985 Independence Bowl, where they defeated Clemson, 20–13. Holtz did not coach the Gophers in that bowl game, as he had already accepted the head coaching position at Notre Dame. His contract purportedly included a "Notre Dame clause" that allowed him to leave if that coaching job were to become available.
Holtz's tenure at Minnesota was not without controversy. Just prior to the 1991 Orange Bowl, the NCAA implicated the Holtz-era Golden Gophers for recruiting violations. Sanctions handed down in March 1991 included a bowl ban in 1992 for the Golden Gophers and "two more years ... [of] continued probation".
Notre Dame
Holtz and the 1988 Notre Dame Fighting Irish football team with President Ronald Reagan
In 1986, Holtz left Minnesota to take over the then-struggling Notre Dame Fighting Irish football program. A taskmaster and strict disciplinarian, Holtz had the names removed from the backs of the players' jerseys when he took over at Notre Dame, wanting to emphasize team effort. With the exception of select bowl games, names have not been included on Notre Dame's jerseys since. Although his 1986 squad posted an identical 5–6 mark to the one that the 1985 edition had, five of their six losses were by a combined total of 14 points. In the season finale against their archrival USC Trojans, Notre Dame overcame a 17-point fourth-quarter deficit and pulled out a 38–37 win.
In his second season, Holtz led the 1987 Fighting Irish to an appearance in the 1988 Cotton Bowl Classic, where the Irish lost to the Texas A&M Aggies, 35–10. The following year (1988), Notre Dame won all eleven of their regular season games and defeated the third-ranked West Virginia Mountaineers 34–21 in the Fiesta Bowl, claiming the national championship. During that season, on October 15, Notre Dame upset the top-ranked Miami Hurricanes, ending their 36-game regular season game winning streak, in what is widely known as the "Catholics vs. Convicts" game. The game is considered one of the most memorable games in all of college football history.
The 1989 squad also won their first eleven games (and in the process set a school record with a 23-game winning streak) and were the No. 1 team until losing to Miami in the season finale. A 21–6 win over No. 1 Colorado in the Orange Bowl gave the Irish a second-place ranking in the final standings, as well as back-to-back 12-win seasons for the first time in school history.
Holtz's 1993 Irish team ended the season with an 11–1 record and ranked second in the final AP poll. Although the Florida State Seminoles were defeated by the Irish in a battle of unbeatens during the regular season and both teams had only one loss at season's end (Notre Dame lost to seventeenth-ranked Boston College), FSU was then voted national champion in the final 1993 AP and Coaches Poll. Between 1988 and 1993, Holtz's teams posted an overall 64–9–1 record. He also took the Irish to bowl games for nine consecutive seasons, still a Notre Dame record.
Following an investigation in 1999, the NCAA placed Notre Dame on two years probation for extra benefits provided to football players between 1993 and 1999 by Kim Dunbar, a South Bend bookkeeper involved in a $1.4 million embezzlement scheme at her employer, as well as one instance of academic fraud that occurred under Holtz's successor, Bob Davie. The NCAA found that Holtz and members of his staff learned of the violations but failed to make appropriate inquiry or to take prompt action, finding Holtz's efforts "inadequate".
Occasionally, despite his lack of success with the New York Jets, he was rumored to be leaving Notre Dame for the NFL. Following a 6–10 season in 1990 and an 8–8 showing in 1991, the Minnesota Vikings were rumored to be going to replace Jerry Burns with Holtz. However, Holtz denied these rumors each of those two seasons. Holtz remained at Notre Dame; the Vikings, meanwhile, hired Dennis Green to replace the retired Jerry Burns.
On September 13, 2008, Lou Holtz was invited back to the campus where a statue of the former coach was unveiled. The ceremony took place during the weekend of the Notre Dame–Michigan game.
First retirement
Lou Holtz left Notre Dame after the 1996 season. He compiled a record of 100–32–2, which was second in career victories at Notre Dame, behind Knute Rockne (both have been surpassed by Brian Kelly). He also led Notre Dame to nine consecutive major bowl games, winning five of them.
In 1996, two members of the Minnesota Vikings ownership board, Wheelock Whitney and Jaye F. Dyer, reportedly contacted Holtz. They wanted to bring him in to replace Dennis Green. Of the rumors surrounding the reasons for Holtz's retirement, one of them was the possible Vikings head coaching position.
South Carolina
After two seasons as a commentator for CBS Sports, Holtz came out of retirement in 1999 and returned to the University of South Carolina, where he had been an assistant in the 1960s. The year before Holtz arrived, the Gamecocks went 1–10, and the team subsequently went 0–11 during Holtz's first season. In his second season, South Carolina went 8–4, winning the Outback Bowl over the heavily favored Ohio State Buckeyes. The eight-game improvement from the previous year was the best in the nation in 2000 and the third best single-season turnaround in NCAA history. It also earned National Coach of the Year honors for Holtz from Football News and American Football Coaches Quarterly. In his third season, Holtz's success continued, leading the Gamecocks to a 9–3 record and another Outback Bowl victory over Ohio State. The nine wins for the season were the second highest total in the history of the program. Under Holtz's leadership, the Gamecocks posted their best two-year mark in school history from 2000 to 2001, going 17–7 overall and 10–6 in SEC play.
After consecutive 5–7 campaigns in 2002 and 2003, Holtz finished his South Carolina tenure on a winning note with a 6–5 record in 2004. Holtz's time in Columbia saw the resurrection of Gamecock Football.
In 2005, the NCAA imposed three years probation and reductions in two scholarships on the program for ten admitted violations under Holtz, five of which were found to be major. The violations involved improper tutoring and off-season workouts, as well as a lack of institutional control. No games were forfeited, nor was a television or post-season ban imposed. Holtz issued a statement after the sanctions were announced stating, "There was no money involved. No athletes were paid. There were no recruiting inducements. No cars. No jobs offered. No ticket scandal."
Second retirement
On November 18, 2004, Holtz announced that he would retire at the end of the season. On November 20, 2004, a major brawl took place during Holtz's last regular season game against Clemson. Instead of ending his career at a post-season bowl game, which was expected, the two universities announced that each would penalize their respective football programs for their unsportsmanlike conduct by declining any bowl game invitations. At his last press conference as South Carolina's coach, Holtz said "Isn't it a heck of a note, Lou Holtz is going to be remembered along with Woody Hayes for having a fight at the Clemson game".
Broadcasting
Holtz worked for CBS Sports as a college football analyst and in the same capacity for the cable network ESPN. He worked on the secondary studio team, located in Bristol, Connecticut as opposed to the game site. He typically appeared on pregame, halftime, and postgame shows of college football games. In addition, he appeared on College Football Scoreboard, College Football Final, College Football Live, SportsCenter, and the occasional game. He typically partnered with Rece Davis and Mark May. Holtz came under scrutiny after referencing Adolf Hitler in an on-air comment while appearing on College Football Live in 2008. In his analysis of Michigan Wolverines head coach Rich Rodriguez, Holtz stated sarcastically, "Ya know, Hitler was a great leader, too." The next day, Holtz apologized for the comment during halftime of a game between Clemson and Georgia Tech. On April 12, 2015, it was reported by SB Nation that Holtz was leaving ESPN.
Personal life
Lou Holtz
Holtz was married to Beth Barcus from July 22, 1961 until her death from cancer on June 30, 2020. At the time of his death, Holtz resided in Lake Nona Golf & Country Club in Orlando, Florida. He and Beth had four children together, three of whom are Notre Dame graduates. One of his sons, Skip, is also a football coach.
He was on the Catholic Advisory Board of Ave Maria Mutual Funds and also a member at the Augusta National Golf Club in Augusta, Georgia. On June 23, 2015, Holtz's Lake Nona home was damaged by a house fire that was most likely triggered by a lightning strike.
On January 30, 2026, a family member of Holtz announced that he entered into end-of-life hospice care in Orlando. On March 4, Holtz died at the age of 89. He was interred in Cedar Grove Cemetery at the University of Notre Dame.
Political views
Holtz was long active in Republican Party politics, including his support for Jesse Helms, hosting former Vice President Dan Quayle during a 1999 fundraising tour, speaking at a 2007 House Republicans strategy meeting, and considering entering the Republican primary for a congressional seat in Florida in 2009. However, he also made a contribution of $2,300 to the campaign of Democratic Party presidential candidate Hillary Clinton in 2008. In 2016, Holtz endorsed Donald Trump for president. In 2020, Holtz voiced his support for former University of Notre Dame professor and alum, Amy Coney Barrett's nomination to the United States Supreme Court.
On August 26, 2020, Holtz spoke at the Republican National Convention endorsing Donald Trump for re-election. During his address at the 2020 Republican National Convention, Holtz said that Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden was "a Catholic in name only." The University of Notre Dame also released a statement the following day to distance itself from Holtz's comment regarding Biden.
Holtz was vocal about his disapproval of Colin Kaepernick taking a knee during the United States national anthem before NFL games and NFL commissioner Roger Goodell allowing players to do so. Holtz told Scoop B Radio's Brandon "Scoop B" Robinson that players should go to inner city neighborhoods and be influential in their community rather than kneeling.
Popular culture
Holtz appeared as himself in a Discover Card commercial in November 2011. Holtz also played himself in the movie The Blind Side.
Honors
Lou Holtz
Holtz receiving the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2020
Holtz was elected to the College Football Hall of Fame in 2008. He was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom by President Donald Trump on December 3, 2020. Holtz was also elected to the Arkansas Sports Hall of Fame in 1983 and the Cotton Bowl Hall of Fame in 2012. He received the Golden Plate Award of the American Academy of Achievement in 1990. The Upper Ohio Valley Museum & Learning Center at the Lou Holtz Hall of Fame was established in his hometown of East Liverpool, Ohio, which inducted him as part of its inaugural class in 1998.
Holtz was awarded numerous honorary degrees. He was presented an honorary Doctor of Laws from the University of Notre Dame on May 22, 2011. Holtz was also awarded an honorary Doctor of Education from the University of South Carolina on December 17, 2012. Holtz was awarded an honorary Doctor in Public Service from Trine University and elected to the board of trustees in 2011. Trine also honored Holtz in 2013 by naming a program the Lou Holtz Master of Science in Leadership Program. He was also presented an honorary Doctorate in Communications from Franciscan University of Steubenville on May 9, 2015, and delivered a commencement address. He did the same at Christendom College in 2021, receiving the Pro Deo et Patria Award for Distinguished Service to God and Country.
Head coaching record
College
<table><thead><tr><th>Year</th><th>Team</th><th>Overall</th><th>Conference</th><th>Standing</th><th>Bowl/playoffs</th><th>Coaches#</th><th>AP°</th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td>William & Mary Indians (Southern Conference) (1969–1971)</td></tr><tr><td>1969</td><td>William & Mary</td><td>3–7</td><td>2–2</td><td>4th</td><td></td><td></td><td></td></tr><tr><td>1970</td><td>William & Mary</td><td>5–7</td><td>3–1</td><td>1st</td><td>L Tangerine</td><td></td><td></td></tr><tr><td>1971</td><td>William & Mary</td><td>5–6</td><td>4–1</td><td>2nd</td><td></td><td></td><td></td></tr><tr><td>William & Mary:</td><td>13–20</td><td>9–4</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>NC State Wolfpack (Atlantic Coast Conference) (1972–1975)</td></tr><tr><td>1972</td><td>NC State</td><td>8–3–1</td><td>4–1–1</td><td>2nd</td><td>W Peach</td><td></td><td>17</td></tr><tr><td>1973</td><td>NC State</td><td>9–3</td><td>6–0</td><td>1st</td><td>W Liberty</td><td></td><td>16</td></tr><tr><td>1974</td><td>NC State</td><td>9–2–1</td><td>4–2</td><td>2nd</td><td>T Astro-Bluebonnet</td><td>9</td><td>11</td></tr><tr><td>1975</td><td>NC State</td><td>7–4–1</td><td>2–2–1</td><td>4th</td><td>L Peach</td><td></td><td></td></tr><tr><td>NC State:</td><td>33–12–3</td><td>16–5–2</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>Arkansas Razorbacks (Southwest Conference) (1977–1983)</td></tr><tr><td>1977</td><td>Arkansas</td><td>11–1</td><td>7–1</td><td>2nd</td><td>W Orange</td><td>3</td><td>3</td></tr><tr><td>1978</td><td>Arkansas</td><td>9–2–1</td><td>6–2</td><td>2nd</td><td>T Fiesta</td><td>10</td><td>11</td></tr><tr><td>1979</td><td>Arkansas</td><td>10–2</td><td>7–1</td><td>T–1st</td><td>L Sugar</td><td>9</td><td>8</td></tr><tr><td>1980</td><td>Arkansas</td><td>7–5</td><td>3–5</td><td>6th</td><td>W Hall of Fame Classic</td><td></td><td></td></tr><tr><td>1981</td><td>Arkansas</td><td>8–4</td><td>5–3</td><td>4th</td><td>L Gator</td><td>16</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>1982</td><td>Arkansas</td><td>9–2–1</td><td>5–2–1</td><td>3rd</td><td>W Astro-Bluebonnet</td><td>8</td><td>9</td></tr><tr><td>1983</td><td>Arkansas</td><td>6–5</td><td>4–4</td><td>5th</td><td></td><td></td><td></td></tr><tr><td>Arkansas:</td><td>60–21–2</td><td>37–18–1</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>Minnesota Golden Gophers (Big Ten Conference) (1984–1985)</td></tr><tr><td>1984</td><td>Minnesota</td><td>4–7</td><td>3–6</td><td>8th</td><td></td><td></td><td></td></tr><tr><td>1985</td><td>Minnesota</td><td>6–5</td><td>4–4</td><td>6th</td><td>Independence</td><td></td><td></td></tr><tr><td>Minnesota:</td><td>10–12</td><td>7–10</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>Notre Dame Fighting Irish (Independent) (1986–1996)</td></tr><tr><td>1986</td><td>Notre Dame</td><td>5–6</td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td></td></tr><tr><td>1987</td><td>Notre Dame</td><td>8–4</td><td></td><td></td><td>L Cotton</td><td></td><td>17</td></tr><tr><td>1988</td><td>Notre Dame</td><td>12–0</td><td></td><td></td><td>W Fiesta</td><td>1</td><td>1</td></tr><tr><td>1989</td><td>Notre Dame</td><td>12–1</td><td></td><td></td><td>W Orange</td><td>3</td><td>2</td></tr><tr><td>1990</td><td>Notre Dame</td><td>9–3</td><td></td><td></td><td>L Orange</td><td>6</td><td>6</td></tr><tr><td>1991</td><td>Notre Dame</td><td>10–3</td><td></td><td></td><td>W Sugar</td><td>12</td><td>13</td></tr><tr><td>1992</td><td>Notre Dame</td><td>10–1–1</td><td></td><td></td><td>W Cotton†</td><td>4</td><td>4</td></tr><tr><td>1993</td><td>Notre Dame</td><td>11–1</td><td></td><td></td><td>W Cotton†</td><td>2</td><td>2</td></tr><tr><td>1994</td><td>Notre Dame</td><td>6–5–1</td><td></td><td></td><td>L Fiesta†</td><td></td><td></td></tr><tr><td>1995</td><td>Notre Dame</td><td>9–3</td><td></td><td></td><td>L Orange†</td><td>13</td><td>11</td></tr><tr><td>1996</td><td>Notre Dame</td><td>8–3</td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td>21</td><td>19</td></tr><tr><td>Notre Dame:</td><td>100–30–2</td><td></td><td></td></tr><tr><td>South Carolina Gamecocks (Southeastern Conference) (1999–2004)</td></tr><tr><td>1999</td><td>South Carolina</td><td>0–11</td><td>0–8</td><td>6th (Eastern)</td><td></td><td></td><td></td></tr><tr><td>2000</td><td>South Carolina</td><td>8–4</td><td>5–3</td><td>2nd (Eastern)</td><td>W Outback</td><td>21</td><td>19</td></tr><tr><td>2001</td><td>South Carolina</td><td>9–3</td><td>5–3</td><td>3rd (Eastern)</td><td>W Outback</td><td>13</td><td>13</td></tr><tr><td>2002</td><td>South Carolina</td><td>5–7</td><td>3–5</td><td>4th (Eastern)</td><td></td><td></td><td></td></tr><tr><td>2003</td><td>South Carolina</td><td>5–7</td><td>2–6</td><td>4th (Eastern)</td><td></td><td></td><td></td></tr><tr><td>2004</td><td>South Carolina</td><td>6–5</td><td>4–4</td><td>3rd (Eastern)</td><td></td><td></td><td></td></tr><tr><td>South Carolina:</td><td>33–37</td><td>19–29</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>Total:</td><td>249–132–7</td><td></td></tr><tr><td> National championship Conference title Conference division title or championship game berth</td></tr></tbody></table>
NFL
<table><thead><tr><th>Team</th><th>Year</th><th>Regular season</th><th>Postseason</th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td>Won</td><td>Lost</td><td>Ties</td><td>Win %</td><td>Finish</td><td>Won</td><td>Lost</td><td>Win %</td><td>Result</td></tr><tr><td>NYJ</td><td>1976</td><td>3</td><td>10</td><td>0</td><td>.231</td><td>4th in AFC East</td><td>–</td><td>–</td><td>–</td><td>–</td></tr><tr><td>Total</td><td>3</td><td>10</td><td>0</td><td>.231</td><td></td><td>–</td><td>–</td><td>–</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>Overall Total</td><td>3</td><td>10</td><td>0</td><td>.231</td><td>NFL Championships (0)</td></tr></tbody></table>
Publications
Lou Holtz
• Holtz, Lou (1974). The Grass Is Greener. [The author]. OCLC 41773996. • Holtz, Lou; Dugan, Donald (1978). Holtz' Quotes. [s.l: s.n.] OCLC 4468721. • Holtz, Lou (1978). The Offensive Side of Lou Holtz. [s.l: s.n.] OCLC 4851306. • Holtz, Lou (1980). The Kitchen Quarterback. Little Rock, Arkansas: Parkin Prtng. Co. OCLC 6714133. • Holtz, Lou; Heisler, John (1989). The Fighting Spirit: A Championship Season at Notre Dame. New York: Pocket Books. ISBN 978-0-671-67673-5. OCLC 20180739. • Holtz, Lou (1998). Winning Every Day: The Game Plan for Success. New York: HarperBusiness. ISBN 978-0-88730-904-5. OCLC 39451210. • Holtz, Lou; Carpenter, Monte (2002). Quotable Lou: The Wit, Wisdom, and Inspiration of Lou Holtz, College Football's Most Colorful and Engaging Coach. Nashville, Tenn: TowleHouse Pub. ISBN 978-1-931249-18-8. OCLC 49942729. • Holtz, Lou (2002). A Teen's Game Plan for Life. Notre Dame, Ind: Sorin Books. ISBN 978-1-893732-53-7. OCLC 49519284. • Alvarez, Barry; Lucas, Mike; Holtz, Lou; Patterson, James (2006). Don't Flinch: Barry Alvarez, the Autobiography : the Story of Wisconsin's All-Time Winningest Coach. Champaign, IL: KCI Sports Ventures. ISBN 978-0-9758769-7-8. OCLC 71325993. • Holtz, Lou (2006). Wins, Losses, and Lessons: An Autobiography. New York: Wm. Morrow. ISBN 978-0-06-084080-8. OCLC 65165505. • Holtz, Lou (2019). Three Rules for Living a Good Life: A Game Plan for After Graduation. Notre Dame: Ave Maria Press. ISBN 978-1-59471-906-6.