On Friday, National sportscaster Tim Brando shared a message on social media after speaking with Holtz’s son, Skip Holtz. Brando wrote that the family was encouraged by the support being shown nationwide and quoted Skip Holtz as saying, “He’s still fighting the fight.”
“After texting with him and will certainly respect his families privacy, but his message was encouraging,” he said. “They’re well aware of all the his Dad is receiving around the country and world.”
Brando quoted Skip Holtz as saying, “He’s still fighting the fight.” Brando added, “I’d expect nothing less from Lou.”
Holtz is best known for his time at Notre Dame, where he led the Fighting Irish to a national championship and an undefeated 12-0 season in 1988. His 100 career victories with Notre Dame are the third-most in the program’s storied history.
Over 33 seasons as a college head coach, Holtz amassed a remarkable 249-132-7 career record, along with a 12-8-2 record in bowl games. He is the only coach in history to lead six different programs to bowl appearances and four schools to final top-15 rankings.
From 1977 to 1983, Holtz guided Arkansas to a 60-21-2 record and a memorable Orange Bowl victory over Oklahoma after the 1977 season.
He later took over at South Carolina from 1999 to 2004, orchestrating a rapid turnaround highlighted by an 8-4 campaign in 2000.
Holtz’s lifetime of excellence was recognized with his induction into the College Football Hall of Fame in 2008 and the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2020.
In recent years, Holtz has kept a low profile, making only occasional appearances at football events and ceremonies. Details regarding his current medical condition remain private.
Holtz launched his coaching career at William & Mary in 1969, going on to lead programs at North Carolina State, Minnesota, Arkansas, Notre Dame, and South Carolina. He also served briefly as head coach of the NFL’s New York Jets in 1976. Following his coaching career, Holtz served as an ESPN college football analyst from 2004 to 2015.