Former Gamecock Football Coach Lou Holtz Passes Away

Lou Holtz coached Notre Dame to the 1988 National Championship.  Almost a month less than 10 years later, the eternal optimist was at Williams-Brice Stadium being introduced as the 31st head football coach in University of South Carolina history.

“When I left the University of Notre Dame, said Holtz, at the time, “I honestly felt I would never coach again.  My heart is now here at the University of South Carolina.  My effort and dedication is to you.”

Holtz, 89, passed away Wednesday surrounded by his family in Orlando, Florida.

His effort and dedication to the Gamecocks paid off.

“Our goal is to win the national championship,” Holtz told the crowd of 5,000 people at his introduction.  While Carolina didn’t win the national title, Holtz gave Gamecock fans winning moments that they had never witnessed before.

The Gamecocks were 1-10 one year prior to Holtz’ arrival at USC and finished his first year at 0-11 during the 1999 season.

The Gamecocks defeated New Mexico State in the 2000 season opener, and the goal posts came down.  Carolina finished 8-4 and 5-3 in the SEC.  The 8-win overall and 5-win SEC improvements from the previous year were among the best in college football history at the time.

After defeating Ohio State in the Outback Bowl, the Gamecocks finished the season ranked 19th in the Associated Press and 21st in the coaches’ polls.  It was just the fourth time in school history that the team finished in the Top 25.

The 2001 season brought a 9-3 overall and 5-3 SEC mark to Carolina.  A win against Alabama catapulted the Gamecocks to a #9 AP ranking after a 5-0 start.  Carolina’s 8th win of the season came against Clemson, marking the first time since 1987-88 that the Gamecocks won 8-or-more games in consecutive seasons.

A second straight Outback Bowl win game USC nine wins in 2001, the second highest win total in school history.  The Gamecocks won 17 games in 2000 and 2001, the program’s highest total in consecutive seasons.  The team finished the season ranked 13th in the final AP and coaches polls, the second highest mark in school history.

The Gamecocks had not had seasons like those since Joe Morrison led the Garnet and Black during his tenure as head football coach.

Carolina did not reach those marks in the remaining three years of Holtz’ tenure at Carolina, but the candle had been lit.  Steve Spurrier came in as the next Gamecock head football coach and the baton had been passed.  Spurrier’s tenure became the most glorious in school history.

Along with a 1988 national championship, Holtz was named the national coach of the year by various polls in 1977 and 1988, was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in 2008 and received the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2020.

The impact of Coach Holtz’s tenure is not limited to wins, awards, bowl games, or historical milestones. It is reflected in the quotes and social media posts of his former players, coaches, and staff during the past week.  His true legacy lies in the life lessons he taught—lessons that extended far beyond football.

Trying to get one quote that symbolizes Coach Holtz is extremely difficult.  As we recall his impact on USC and on all of the people he has touched, this comes to mind …

“Ability is what you’re capable of doing. Motivation determines what you do. Attitude determines how well you do it.”

Simple, well-stated, and words to live by from Coach Holtz.

Prayers to Coach Holtz’ family, friends and anyone touched by his magnificent personality and grace.