Lou Holtz, in hospice care, still 'fighting the fight'

Field Level Media|published: Sun 1st February, 10:52 2026

Sep 27, 2025; Fayetteville, Arkansas, USA; Former Notre Dame Fighting and Arkansas Razorbacks head coach Lou Holtz holds a press conference prior to the game at Donald W. Reynolds Razorback Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Nelson Chenault-Imagn Images

Legendary college football coach Lou Holtz, who entered hospice care recently, is spending time with family, his son said in an update posted Sunday morning to social media.

"Appreciate everyone's text and prayers. Dad is 89 and he is STILL fighting the fight! Only the man upstairs knows how much time is left on the clock," Skip Holtz wrote on X. "Cherishing the time we still have together in Orlando."

Holtz has faced several health concerns in recent years, including leg injuries sustained last winter in a car accident.

He led Notre Dame to an undefeated national championship season in 1988. Inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in 2008, Holtz was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom by President Donald Trump in 2020.

Holtz compiled a 249-132-7 record in the college ranks at William & Mary (1969-71), North Carolina State (1972-75), Arkansas (1977-83), Minnesota (1984-85), Notre Dame (1986-96) and South Carolina (1999-2004). He was 3-10 as head coach of the New York Jets in 1976.

He reached his greatest heights at Notre Dame, where he went 100-30-2 overall and 5-4 in bowl games. His 1988 Fighting Irish squad, led by quarterback Tony Rice, completed a 12-0 season with a 34-21 victory over West Virginia in the Fiesta Bowl.

Skip Holtz followed in his father's footsteps, spending 17 seasons as the head coach at East Carolina, South Florida and Louisiana Tech. He also coached the Birmingham Stallions of the UFL.

--Field Level Media