The family of Notre Dame coaching legend Lou Holtz is speaking out about the 89-year-old’s health following last week’s revelation that he has entered hospice care.
Taking to X on Sunday, Holtz’s son, Skip, expressed gratitude to those who have reached out and made it clear his father “is STILL fighting the fight!” amid rumors swirling on social media he passed away.
“Only the man upstairs knows how much time is left on the clock,” wrote Skip, who most recently served as head coach of the UFL’s Birmingham Stallions. “Cherishing the time we still have together in Orlando.”
An insider close to the Holtz family told the South Bend-based ABC57 on Thursday that the College Football Hall of Famer had entered hospice.
Several in the sports community reflected on their experiences with Holtz in heartfelt messages.
“Oh at some point I think we all knew we’d be lucky to hold on to Lou and legends like him much longer. So many we’ve looked up to and many I had the honor and privilege of not only covering, but working alongside eventually head to their next life of eternal glory,” Fox Sports’ Tim Brando wrote on X.
“My thoughts are with his family, especially my dear friend @SkipHoltz his wife Jen and their extended family. His beloved wife Beth awaits. Coach Holtz has always been a national treasure.”
A former Kent State linebacker, Holtz began his coaching career in 1960 as an assistant at Iowa. He rose through the ranks and earned his first head coaching job in 1969 at William & Mary.
Holtz made the leap to the pros in 1976 as head coach of the Jets — an endeavor that lasted 13 games and resulted in the coach resigning after a 3-10 start.
He arrived at Notre Dame a decade later in 1986 and coached the Fighting Irish to a national title in 1988. His run in South Bend concluded after the 1996 season with a record of 100-30-2.
Holtz then dabbled in broadcasting before returning to the college coaching ranks in 1999 at South Carolina. He called it a career in 2004.
The coaching legend’s overall record stands at 249-132-7.
