Lou Holtz Dies at 89, Legendary CFB HC Won 1988 National Title at Notre Dame

The family of Lou Holtz announced Wednesday the legendary college football coach died at the age of 89.

"Holtz is remembered for his enduring values of faith, family, service, and an unwavering belief in the potential of others," the family said in a statement shared by Notre Dame.

Holtz's son, Skip, thanked well-wishers for their support:

Holtz's career as a head coach started at William & Mary in 1969. He had stops at North Carolina State, Arkansas, Minnesota, Notre Dame and South Carolina. He also spent one season as the New York Jets coach in 1976.

The Hall of Famer is remembered mostly for the 11 years he spent with the Fighting Irish.

His 100 wins are the third-most in program history, and he delivered Notre Dame's last national championship in 1988. The team finished in the Top 10 of the Associated Press poll on five occasions.

"Among his many accomplishments, we will remember him above all as a teacher, leader and mentor who brought out the very best in his players, on and off the field, earning their respect and admiration for a lifetime," Notre Dame president Rev. Robert A. Dowd said. "... Whenever Notre Dame called to ask for his help, Lou answered with his characteristic generosity, and he will be sorely missed. The prayers of the entire Notre Dame community are with his family and many friends in this time of sorrow. May he rest in the peace and love of Christ."

Holtz also enjoyed success at Arkansas and South Carolina.

The Razorbacks beat Oklahoma in the Orange Bowl to cap off an 11-1 season in 1977 and then won the Southwest Conference in 1979. Holtz's .735 winning percentage in Fayetteville is second to only Ken Hatfield.

Upon taking the South Carolina job in 1999, Holtz inherited a team that went 1-10. The Gamecocks didn't win a game in his first season but then reeled off back-to-back Outback Bowl victories.

Altogether, Holtz notched 249 victories, the 10th-most at the Division I/FBS level, and guided his teams to 22 bowl appearances.