RIP Coach Lou Holtz

[Bash Riprock]

On 3/17/2026 at 3:18 PM, Bobref said:

Did you know there were two things Coach Lou did that no other college HFC has done?

He took 6 different teams to Bowl games, back when going to a Bowl meant something.

More significantly, perhaps, he was the first coach to negotiate a contract that allowed him to leave without contractual penalty if offered the HFC job at a specific other school. This was the famous “Notre Dame Clause,” in his contract with Minnesota. Notre Dame was always his dream job.

I knew the 2nd one....Bob, I have to ask...what led him to leave ND for South Carolina?  That one to me always felt like a step down.......

[Irishman]

2 hours ago, Bash Riprock said:

I knew the 2nd one....Bob, I have to ask...what led him to leave ND for South Carolina?  That one to me always felt like a step down.......

Remember, there was a 3 year gap between those two. The new AD at Notre Dame at that time pushed him out. But part of the decision was that Lou did not want to pass  Rockne in all time wins. There were two games left in the season when he did step down. He worked in TV for a couple of years before South Carolina contacted him. It was my impression when he left South Bend that he was just retiring. 

[Bash Riprock]

On 3/18/2026 at 7:04 PM, Irishman said:

Remember, there was a 3 year gap between those two. The new AD at Notre Dame at that time pushed him out. But part of the decision was that Lou did not want to pass  Rockne in all time wins. There were two games left in the season when he did step down. He worked in TV for a couple of years before South Carolina contacted him. It was my impression when he left South Bend that he was just retiring. 

Thanks...did not remember the time gap...makes sense

[Irishman]

Great story from Bettis 

https://www.facebook.com/reel/470031726159921?fs=e&fs=