Lou Holtz, the legendary football Hall of Fame coach who led the University of Notre Dame to the 1988 national title, passed away on March 4 at the age of 89. His family made the announcement in a social media statement via the athletics department at Notre Dame, highlighting “his enduring values of faith, family, service, and an unwavering belief in the potential of others.”
Holtz, a lifelong Catholic, was always outspoken about his faith. In a 2012 interview with the National Catholic Register, he recounted that every single day at Notre Dame “was very special because there were so many opportunities to encounter and live out the Catholic faith. Mass and confession were always available, and you could pray the Rosary at the Grotto of Our Lady of Lourdes.”
“I think the Catholic Church is infallible when it comes to religious principles,” Holtz said during that interview, adding that following its teachings is “what brings meaning and lasting happiness to life.”