Keith Olbermann sparks outrage with social media attack on Lou Holtz

Former ESPN broadcaster Keith Olbermann once again sparked backlash on social media Wednesday after calling former legendary college football coach Lou Holtz a “legendary jerk” in an X post the same day Holtz’s death was announced.

“Legendary jerk, yes,” Olbermann wrote in response to a clip of Holtz criticizing former President Joe Biden for supporting abortion rights in 2020.

Olbermann received harsh criticism in response to his post about X.

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“You are an asshole who needs mental help,” one X user wrote to Olbermann.

One user echoed that sentiment, writing to Olbermann: “You’re the real asshole here. Lou Holtz had more class, honesty, and genuine kindness in his pinky than you’ll ever show in your lifetime.”

Another user wrote: “You are a grumpy, lonely, Godless man. Everything Lou Holtz is not.”

Olbermann has made a pattern of sharing politically charged far-left statements on social media that are often combative and ridiculed, often sparking massive backlash.

After the U.S. men’s hockey team won the gold medal, Olbermann heavily criticized the team for accepting President Trump’s invitation to the State of the Union address. Olbermann wrote to

In January, Olbermann attacked former University of Kentucky female swimmer Kaitlynn Wheeler, who was celebrating a women’s rights rally in front of the U.S. Supreme Court during oral arguments in two cases focusing on the legality of biological male transgender athletes in women’s sports.

Former Notre Dame football coach Lou Holtz listens before being presented with the Presidential Medal of Freedom at the White House in Washington, D.C., on December 3, 2020. (Doug Mills/The New York Times/Bloomberg via Getty Images)

“This is still about you trying to make excuses for a lifetime you wasted trying to succeed in sports without talent,” Olbermann wrote in response to Wheeler’s post.

In 2025, Olbermann faced significant backlash after posting (and later deleting) a message on

Holtz was a staunch supporter of President Donald Trump, even saying in February 2024 that Trump should “coach America back to greatness.”

Towards the end of Trump’s first term, on the heels of former President Joe Biden Trump, who defeated him in the 2020 elections, awarded Holtz with the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the United States’ highest civilian award.

After Holtz’s death was announced Wednesday, several prominent GOP figures paid tribute to the coach on social media.

GOP lawmakers include Senators Tommy Tuberville, R-Ala.; Todd Young, R-Ind.; Tom Cotton, R-Ark.; And Lindsey GrahamR.S.C.; representatives Greg Murphy, RN.C.; David Rozer, RN.C.; Erin Houchin, R-Ind.; and Steve Womack, R-Ark.; and Florida Governor Ron DeSantis; Indiana Governor Mike Braun; U.S. Secretary of Education Linda McMahon; and Rudy Giuliani.

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Former Notre Dame football coach Lou Holtz speaks at the America First Policy Institute’s America First Agenda Summit at the Marriott Marquis on July 26, 2022. (Tom Williams/CQ-Roll Call, Inc.)

At the time of publication, major Democratic leaders appeared silent on Holtz’s passing, including some prominent Democrats with football backgrounds.

Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz, who served as an assistant high school football coach; Sen. Cory Booker, D-N.J., who was Holtz’s recruiting target as a college candidate in 1986; Rep. Colin Allred, D-Texas, who plays in the NFL; and Rep. Kam Buckner, D-Ill., who played football at the University of Illinois, did not post acknowledging Holtz’s death.

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