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Lou Holtz
By Ethan Levine
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Lou Holtz was a head coach for 34 years at both the college and pro levels, and is perhaps best known for his 11-season stint as head coach at Notre Dame from 1986-1996. Holtz ended his coaching career in the SEC, however, as the head coach of the South Carolina Gamecocks for six seasons from 1999-2004. He was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in 2008.
Holtz took over a South Carolina team that went 1-10 in 1998, and after struggling through an 0-11 season his first year in Columbia in 1999 he led the Gamecocks to an 8-4 season in 2000 and a 9-3 season in 2001. He ended his stay in South Carolina with a record of 33-37, but was 33-26 in his final five seasons including three bowl appearances.
Holtz earned National Coach of the Year honors from Football News and American Football Coaches Quarterly following the 2000 season, and the Gamecocks’ eight-win improvement from 1999-2000 was, at the time, the third-best turnaround in NCAA history. Holtz retired for a second time following the 2004 season and returned to broadcasting as an analyst for ESPN.
| Coaching History | Team | Years |
|---|---|---|
| Head Coach | South Carolina Gamecocks | 1999-2004 |
| Head Coach | Notre Dame Fighting Irish | 1986-1996 |
| Head Coach | Minnesota Golden Gophers | 1984-1985 |
| Head Coach | Arkansas Razorbacks | 1977-1983 |
| Head Coach | New York Jets | 1976 |
| Head Coach | N.C. State Wolfpack | 1972-1975 |
| Head Coach | William & Mary Tribe | 1969-1971 |
| Assistant Coach | Ohio St. Buckeyes | 1968 |
| Assistant Coach | South Carolina Gamecocks | 1966-1967 |
| Assistant Coach | Connecticut Huskies | 1964-1965 |
| Assistant Coach | William & Mary Tribe | 1961-1963 |
| Assistant Coach | Iowa Hawkeyes | 196 |
A former newspaper reporter who has roamed the southeastern United States for years covering football and eating way too many barbecue ribs, if there is such a thing.
