Lou Holtz (born Louis Leo Holtz on January 6, 1937, and died March 4, 2026) was an American college football coach, television analyst, motivational speaker, and author. He was known as one of the most successful and colorful coaches in college football, finishing his career with a record of 249–132–7 at six different schools. Holtz was the only coach to lead six teams to bowl games and four programs to final top-15 rankings. His biggest achievement was at Notre Dame, where his 1988 team went undefeated, beat West Virginia in the Fiesta Bowl, and won the national championship. After retiring from coaching in 2004, Holtz became a popular analyst for CBS Sports in the 1990s and for ESPN from 2005 to 2015. He was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in 2008, received the Presidential Medal of Freedom from President Donald Trump in 2020, and remained a sought-after speaker on leadership, perseverance, and faith until his final years. Holtz passed away peacefully at age 89 in Orlando, Florida, leaving behind a legacy of memorable quotes, dramatic turnarounds, and a deep personal influence on players and fans. Age Lou Holtz was born on January 6, 1937, in Follansbee, West Virginia. He lived to age 89 and passed away on March 4, 2026. Quotes Lou Holtz was known for his motivational and witty sayings that inspired players, fans, and audiences for many years. Some of his best-known quotes are: “Do right. Do your best. Treat others as you want to be treated.” “It’s not the load that breaks you down, it’s the way you carry it.” “I can’t believe that God put us on this earth to be ordinary.” “Never tell your problems to anyone… 20 per cent don’t care and the other 80 per cent are glad you have them.” “Virtually nothing is impossible in this world if you just put your mind to it and maintain a positive attitude.” “If what you did yesterday seems big, you haven’t done anything today.” “You’re never as good as everyone tells you when you win, and you’re never as bad as they say when you lose.” “The answer to three questions will determine your success or failure: 1 – Can people trust me to do my best? 2 – Am I committed to the task at hand? 3 – Do I care about other people and show it? If the answers to all three questions are yes, there is no way you can fail.” People still share these quotes widely in 2026 on social media, in motivational videos, and at leadership seminars. Coaching Career Lou Holtz started his coaching career as a graduate assistant at Iowa in 1960 while working on his master’s degree. He later worked as an assistant at William & Mary (1961–1963), Connecticut (1964–1965), South Carolina (1966–1967), and Ohio State (1968), where he helped the Buckeyes win the national championship that year. His head coaching career included: William & Mary (1969–1971): 13–20 record NC State (1972–1975): 33–12–3 record; Peach Bowl win (1972), Liberty Bowl win (1973) New York Jets (1976): 3–10 record (his only NFL stint) Arkansas (1977–1983): 60–21–2 record; Orange Bowl win (1977), Fiesta Bowl tie (1978), Sugar Bowl loss (1979), Hall of Fame Classic win (1980), Astro-Bluebonnet win (1982) Minnesota (1984–1985): 10–12 record; Independence Bowl appearance (1985) Notre Dame (1986–1996): 100–30–2 record; national championship (1988), Fiesta Bowl win (1988), Orange Bowl win (1989), Cotton Bowl win (1992), Cotton Bowl win (1993) South Carolina (1999–2004): 33–37 record; Outback Bowl wins (2000, 2001) Holtz retired in 2004 with a 249–132–7 record. He was known for turning teams around, giving motivational speeches, and rebuilding football programs. Notre Dame Lou Holtz coached the Notre Dame Fighting Irish from 1986 to 1996, finishing with a 100–30–2 record. His most famous season was 1988, when Notre Dame went 12–0, beat No. 1 Miami at home (31–30), and won the Fiesta Bowl against West Virginia (34–21) to win the national championship. The 1988 team is still seen as one of the best in Notre Dame history. Holtz led the team to five top-10 finishes, nine bowl games, and five major bowl wins. He is credited with bringing Notre Dame back to national prominence and is still one of the school’s most respected coaches. His 100 wins are among the highest in program history. Net Worth At his death in 2026, Lou Holtz’s net worth was estimated at $15–20 million, earned through coaching, broadcasting, speaking, book sales, endorsements, and investments. Coaching salaries (especially high at Notre Dame and South Carolina) Television analyst contracts with CBS (1990s) and ESPN (2005–2015) Speaking engagements and motivational appearances were a major contributor, as he was among the highest-paid speakers of his era. Book sales and royalties (multiple bestsellers on leadership and life lessons) Endorsements and appearances Real estate and investments (including his longtime home in Orlando, Florida) After he passed away, his estate still earns some income from royalties, licensing his speeches, and selling memorabilia. Profile Summary