Coach Lou Holtz

With heartfelt sadness, we share the passing of Lou Holtz on March 4, 2026 and ask to please join us in praying for the repose of his soul. His enduring commitment to faith, character, and excellence inspired generations both on and off the field. A beloved figure with deep ties to University of Notre Dame, Coach Holtz leaves behind a legacy that extends far beyond football. He was a strong supporter of our mission at the Catholic Speakers Organization, and his influence will continue to be felt in the lives he touched. Coach Lou Holtz had a rich Catholic history of coaching and leading great programs, inspiring many young athletes to become not only better players, but the best version of themselves—on and off the field—always keeping God at the center.

Lou Holtz was a head coach for 34 years at both the college and pro levels, and is perhaps best known for his 11-season stint as head coach at Notre Dame from 1986-1996. Holtz ended his coaching career in the SEC, however, as the head coach of the South Carolina Gamecocks for six seasons from 1999-2004. He was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in 2008.

Holtz took over a South Carolina team that went 1-10 in 1998, and after struggling through an 0-11 season his first year in Columbia in 1999 he led the Gamecocks to an 8-4 season in 2000 and a 9-3 season in 2001. He ended his stay in South Carolina with a record of 33-37, but was 33-26 in his final five seasons including three bowl appearances.

Holtz earned National Coach of the Year honors from Football News and American Football Coaches Quarterly following the 2000 season, and the Gamecocks’ eight-win improvement from 1999-2000 was, at the time, the third-best turnaround in NCAA history. Holtz retired for a second time following the 2004 season and returned to broadcasting as an analyst for ESPN.

Over the years, Coach Lou Holtz has become a sought after motivational speaker for Catholic and corporate events alike.