Lou Holtz’s death draws tributes from GOP lawmakers
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Several prominent Republican congressional lawmakers and other top officials across the country shared their condolences following the death of legendary college football coach Lou Holtz on Wednesday.
GOP lawmakers included Sens. Tommy Tuberville, R-Ala., Todd Young, R-Ind., Tom Cotton, R-Ark. and Lindsey Graham, R.S.C., Reps. Greg Murphy, R.N.C. David Rouzer, RN.C., Erin Houchin, R-Ind., Steve Womack, R-Ark., Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, Indiana Gov. Mike Braun, U.S. Secretary of Education Linda McMahon and Rudy Giuliani.
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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 worked as a high school assistant football coach, Sen. Cory Booker, D-N.J., who was Holtz’s recruiting target as a college prospect in 1986, Rep. Colin Allred, D-Texas, who played in the NFL, and Rep. Kam Buckner, D-Ill., who played football at the University of Illinois, have all posted acknowledging Holtz’s death.
Fox News Digital has reached out to the offices of Waltz, Booker, Allred and Buckner for comment.
Lou Holtz, who spent 33 years leading teams Notre Dame Irish FightHe died on Wednesday. He was 89 years old.
The football team released a statement from Holtz’s family, saying he died at his home in Orlando surrounded by his family. Florida.
“Louis Leo ‘Lou’ Holtz, legendary college football coach, Hall of Famer, best-selling author, and one of America’s most influential motivational voices, passed away surrounded by his family in Orlando, Florida, at the age of 89,” the statement said.
“Born on January 6, 1937, in Follansbee, West Virginia, Holtz rose from humble beginnings to become one of the most respected figures in college athletics.
“During a remarkable five-decade career, he led college programs at William & Mary, NC State, Arkansas, Minnesota, Notre Dame and South Carolina. He transformed each team he inherited and won the 1988 National Championship with the Fighting Irish. Holtz was predeceased by his beloved wife of more than 50 years, Beth, with whom he shared a life of faith, devotion and service.”
Lou Holtz, head coach of the Arkansas Razorbacks, walks on the sideline as his team faces the Oklahoma Sooner in the 1978 Orange Bowl on January 2, 1978 in Miami, Florida. (Photos by Rich Clarkson/NCAA via Getty Images)
Holtz reportedly entered hospice care in late January.
Holtz was the first coach in NCAA history to bring six different football programs to the bowl games; these include William & Mary (1969-71), NC State (1972-75), Arkansas (1977-83) and South Carolina (1999-2004). The only team he failed to achieve this feat was Minnesota, which he led from 1984-85.
Holtz has been a staunch supporter of the President in recent years Donald TrumpHe even said 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.
“I will say this about Lou: Everybody loves him,” Trump said at the ceremony in December 2020. “Everybody respects him. He’s so tough, but yet they all respect Lou. They just – it’s great. They love him and they respect him. Sometimes it’s a combination that doesn’t come together, you know? They respect it, but you’re – you’re something. ‘I’ve never coached football; I’ve coached life,’ he said. And it’s true. His players have always loved him, really.”
Lou Holtz, head coach of the Notre Dame Fighting Irish, watches from the sideline during an NCAA football game against the Stanford Cardinal at Stanford Stadium in Palo Alto, California, on October 7, 1989. (David Madison/Getty Images)
Holtz, who also spoke at the 2020 Republican National Convention, was humbled by this honor.
“This is the greatest honor or award you can ever receive, and I receive it with mixed emotions. Above all, I am humbled,” Holtz said.Fox and Friends“Later. “There are many more worthy people than I am, I assure you.
“Nobody could be more grateful than me. So I’m excited to have this opportunity, and I’m also excited to get this opportunity from President Trump. The president I admire and respect. I think he’s done a great job.”
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At the time, Holtz called Trump “one of the greatest presidents of my lifetime.”
Holtz finished his coaching career with a record of 249-132-7 in 388 games. He was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in 2008.
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