Surrounded by his family, legendary college football coach Lou Holtz passed away at age 89 in Orlando, Florida, the Notre Dame Fighting Irish football program announced Wednesday.

Holtz coached at several universities during his collegiate career, but his most notable stint was in South Bend, where he led the Fighting Irish for 11 seasons, including a national championship victory in 1988.

He also guided the team to two No. 2 finishes in 1989 and 1993, winning 100 games at Notre Dame — third all-time behind Brian Kelly (106) and Knute Rockne (105).

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Current Notre Dame head coach Marcus Freeman responded to the news with a public statement:

“We are deeply saddened to learn of the passing of Lou Holtz,” “Lou and I shared a very special relationship. He welcomed me to the Notre Dame family immediately, offering me great support throughout our time together. Our relationship meant a lot to me, as I admired the values he used to build the foundation of his coaching career: love, trust, and commitment.

“Lou’s impact at Notre Dame went well beyond the football field. He and his wife, Beth, are respected across campus for their generous hearts and dedication to Notre Dame’s mission of being a force for good. On behalf of the Notre Dame Football program, we send our love to Lou’s family, friends, and former players, wishing you all comfort and peace during this difficult time.”

Holtz left Notre Dame in 1999 and went on to coach at University of South Carolina before retiring. He was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in 2008 and was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom by President Donald Trump in 2020.

His son, Skip Holtz, who also coached alongside him at South Carolina, shared a message about his father’s passing:

“My father passed away today, resting peacefully at home,” Skip wrote. “I appreciate everyone’s thoughts and prayers over the last couple months! He was successful, but more importantly, he was significant.”

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