Louis Leo "Lou" Holtz (born January 6, 1937) is a retired American football 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 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. In 2005, Holtz joined ESPN as a college football analyst. On May 1, 2008, Holtz was elected to the College Football Hall of Fame. Holtz is a master motivational speaker and a former analyst for CBS Sports. Lou Holtz and his wife, Beth, are parents to four grown children.
Father of Lou Holtz Jr..
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.
Named national coach of the year in 1977 and 1988.
Played football at Kent State. Graduated in 1959.
Served as an assistant coach at Iowa ; William & Mary (1961-1963); Connecticut (1964-1965); South Carolina (1966-1967) and Ohio State , when the Buckeyes were national champions. Served as head coach at William & Mary (1969-1971); North Carolina State (1972-1975); New York Jets ; Arkansas (1977-1983); University of Minnesota (1984-1985); Notre Dame (1986-1996) and South Carolina (1999-2004). Retired from coaching after the 2004 season.
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.
(September 2005) College football analyst for ESPN
Rice scares me to death. [before facing an 0-8 Rice team in 1988],This is a great football team because nobody proved it otherwise. [on,his 1988 National Championship team at Notre Dame],Life is 10 percent what happens to you and ninety percent how you respond to it.
When all is said and done, more is said than done.
Your talent determines what you can do. Your motivation determines how much you are willing to do. Your attitude determines how well you do it.
I never learn anything talking. I only learn things when I ask questions.
Without self-discipline, success is impossible, period.
Virtually nothing is impossible in this world if you just put your mind to it and maintain a positive attitude.
My philosophy in life is, Decide what you want to do. You have to have something to hope for.
I think that everybody needs four things in life. Everybody needs something to do regardless of age. Everybody needs someone to love. Everybody needs something to hope for, and, of course, everybody needs someone to believe in.
See, winners embrace hard work.
I follow three rules: Do the right thing, do the best you can, and always show people you care.
Do right. Do your best. Treat others as you want to be treated.
I think life is a matter of choices and that wherever we are, good or bad, is because of choices we make.
My wife told me if there is any rumors about me, it better be about politics and not about my social life.
When the bank asks me about my assets, I include my friendship with Regis Philbin.
We can all be successful and make money, but when we die, that ends. But when you are significant is when you help other people be successful. That lasts many a lifetime.
No matter what happens on the field, getting an education makes you a winner.
Life is ten percent what happens to you and ninety percent how you respond to it. .
