Lou Holtz health update: Read family's statement on legendary coach
- - Lou Holtz health update: Read family's statement on legendary coach
Ehsan Kassim, USA TODAY January 31, 2026 at 8:01 PM
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Lou Holtz health update: Read family's statement on legendary coach
A couple of days ago, news emerged that legendary Notre Dame football coach Lou Holtz had been placed in hospice care. On Saturday, Jan. 31 his family provided an update.
Kevin Holtz, his son, posted an update on the 1988 national champion coach on his Facebook account on Saturday, confirming Lou Holtz is in hospice care.
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entered hospice care, according to ABC57 and other reports. Lou Holtz, 89, was at the helm for the Fighting Irish from 1986 to 1996, leading the team to a perfect 12-0 season and the national championship in 1988.Notre Dame Lou Holtz is seen during a game against the Michigan Wolverines at Michigan Stadium in Ann Arbor, Mich.
" style=padding-bottom:56%>Lou Holtz, the College Football Hall of Fame coach who led Notre Dame to the 1988 national title, has entered hospice care, according to ABC57 and other reports. Lou Holtz, 89, was at the helm for the Fighting Irish from 1986 to 1996, leading the team to a perfect 12-0 season and the national championship in 1988.Notre Dame Lou Holtz is seen during a game against the Michigan Wolverines at Michigan Stadium in Ann Arbor, Mich.
" data-src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/7PhVZOF_OpVMVDuJB.XN2g--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD0xODc2/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/210be321729e48ccfb7e4142184e42af class=caas-img data-headline="Follow Lou Holtz's legacy of leadership as a college football coach" data-caption="
Lou Holtz, the College Football Hall of Fame coach who led Notre Dame to the 1988 national title, has entered hospice care, according to ABC57 and other reports. Lou Holtz, 89, was at the helm for the Fighting Irish from 1986 to 1996, leading the team to a perfect 12-0 season and the national championship in 1988.Notre Dame Lou Holtz is seen during a game against the Michigan Wolverines at Michigan Stadium in Ann Arbor, Mich.
">Lou Holtz, the College Football Hall of Fame coach who led Notre Dame to the 1988 national title, has entered hospice care, according to ABC57 and other reports. Lou Holtz, 89, was at the helm for the Fighting Irish from 1986 to 1996, leading the team to a perfect 12-0 season and the national championship in 1988.Notre Dame Lou Holtz is seen during a game against the Michigan Wolverines at Michigan Stadium in Ann Arbor, Mich.
" src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/7PhVZOF_OpVMVDuJB.XN2g--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD0xODc2/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/210be321729e48ccfb7e4142184e42af class=caas-img>
1 / 27Follow Lou Holtz's legacy of leadership as a college football coach
Lou Holtz, the College Football Hall of Fame coach who led Notre Dame to the 1988 national title, has entered hospice care, according to ABC57 and other reports. Lou Holtz, 89, was at the helm for the Fighting Irish from 1986 to 1996, leading the team to a perfect 12-0 season and the national championship in 1988.Notre Dame Lou Holtz is seen during a game against the Michigan Wolverines at Michigan Stadium in Ann Arbor, Mich.
“The Holtz family, Luanne Altenbaumer, Skip Holtz, Liz Holtz Messaglia, share the difficult news that our father, Coach Lou Holtz, is presently facing a health challenge,“ Kevin Holtz posted on Facebook. ”While this is a challenging time, our focus is on maintaining his comfort, quality of life and care in his Orlando home.
“As family has always been the highest importance to Coach, we are holding to each other and focusing on making every moment and day count. The whole family appreciates your thoughts, prayers, and support but ask for privacy as we navigate this journey. Psalm 41:3.″
Holtz family update: #NotreDame pic.twitter.com/5cYQzmOQIp
— Mike BerardinoNDI (@MikeBerardino) February 1, 2026
Holtz spent 33 seasons as a head coach, posting a 249-132-7 record with stops at William & Mary, NC State, Arkansas, Minnesota, Notre Dame and South Carolina over his career. He also had a one-year stint in the NFL with the New York Jets.
He was elected into the College Football Hall of Fame in 2008 and worked for ESPN as a college football analyst after his retirement.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Lou Holtz health update: Family releases statement
Source: “AOL Sports”
