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.

One of the most affable college head coaches of his generation, Holtz won 249 games as with 100 of those victories earned at Notre Dame from 1986 through 1996. He led the Irish to the 1988 National Championship with a 12-0 record and victory over West Virginia in the Fiesta Bowl.

Jan 12, 2025 · The legendary Notre Dame coach shared an update on his health and the possibility of attending college football's championship game.

Jan 20, 2025 · Holtz coached the Notre Dame Fighting Irish from 1986-1996. (Photo by Focus on Sport/Getty Images) Holtz won many accolades in his career, including the College Football Hall of Fame in 2008, and was honored with a statue at Notre Dame in the same year.

Jan 20, 2025 · Lou Holtz is the last Notre Dame head coach to win a National Championship, and fans will surely be thinking of him on Monday night.

Sep 23, 2024 · On January 2, 1989 the Irish defeated West Virginia to finish 12-0 and to claim the National Championship. The ‘88 title season began a 64-9-1 (.871) run for Holtz at Notre Dame that included a 23-game win streak, and back-to-back 12 …

May 1, 2008 · NOTRE DAME, Ind. – Former University of Notre Dame football coach Lou Holtz, who coached the 1988 Irish national championship team and won 100 games in 11 seasons as Irish head coach, today was named to the National Football Foundation’s College Football Hall of …

Jan 12, 2025 · Former Notre Dame head coach Lou Holtz has provided a positive update on his condition following a recent car accident and announced his 2025 College Football Playoff National Championship plans.

Jan 13, 2025 · Lou Holtz backed his beloved Notre Dame Fighting Irish to pull off an upset victory during college football's National Championship game against Ohio State on Jan 20.

Dec 4, 2008 · In only his third season at Notre Dame, the Fighting Irish defeated West Virginia, 34-21 in the Fiesta Bowl, capping a 12-0 season. Holtz completed a turnaround at Notre Dame, which had seen the Fighting Irish recover from two straight 5-6 seasons, including his first in South Bend in 1986.