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Several prominent Republican congressional lawmakers and other senior officials across the country shared their condolences following the death of legendary college football coach Lou Holtz on Wednesday.
The GOP lawmakers to speak out included Sens. Tommy Tuberville, R-Ala., Todd Young, R-Ind., Tom Cotton, R-Ark. and Lindsey Graham, RS.C., Reps. Greg Murphy, RN.C. David Rouzer, RN.C., Erin Houchin, R-Ind., Steve Womack, R-Ark., Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, Indiana Gov. Mike Braun, U.S. Education Secretary Linda McMahon and Rudy Giuliani.
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At the time of publication, prominent Democratic leaders appeared silent on Holtz’s passing, including prominent Democrats with football backgrounds.
Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz, who worked as an assistant high school football coach, Sen. Cory Booker, DN.J., who was a recruiting target of Holtz in 1986 as a college prospect, Rep. Colin Allred, D-Texas, who played in the NFL, and Rep. Kam Buckner, D-Ill., who played football for the University of Illinois, has not stood in death in Illinois.
Pakinomist Digital has reached out to the offices of Waltz, Booker, Allred and Buckner for comment.
Lou Holtz, who spent 33 years managing teams including Notre Dame Fighting Irishdied Wednesday. He was 89.
The football team released a statement from Holtz’s family, which said he died surrounded by family at his home in Orlando, Florida.
“Louis Leo ‘Lou’ Holtz, legendary college football coach, Hall of Famer, best-selling author and one of America’s most influential motivational voices, has passed away at the age of 89 in Orlando, Florida, surrounded by family,” the statement said.
“Born January 6, 1937 in Follansbee, West Virginia, Holtz rose from humble beginnings to become one of the most respected figures in college athletics.
“During a remarkable career spanning five decades, he led college programs at William & Mary, NC State, Arkansas, Minnesota, Notre Dame and South Carolina. He transformed every team he inherited, capturing the 1988 national championship with the Fighting Irish. Holtz was preceded in death by his beloved wife of more than 50 years, with whom he shared, faith and belief, service.”
Head coach Lou Holtz of the Arkansas Razorbacks walks the sideline as his team takes on the Oklahoma Sooners in the 1978 Orange Bowl on January 2, 1978 at the Orange Bowl in Miami, Florida. (Rich Clarkson/NCAA Photos via Getty Images)
Holtz had reportedly entered hospice care at the end of January.
Holtz was the first coach in NCAA history to bring six different football programs to bowl games, including William & Mary (1969-71), NC State (1972-75), Arkansas (1977-83) and South Carolina (1999-2004). The only team he was unable to accomplish the feat with was Minnesota, which he managed from 1984-85.
In recent years, Holtz has been a staunch supporter of the president Donald Trumphimself said in February 2024 that Trump needed to “train America back to greatness!”
Near the end of Trump’s first term, shortly after the former president Joe Biden defeated him in the 2020 election, Trump awarded Holtz the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the highest civilian award in the United States.
“I’ll say this about Lou: Everybody loves him,” Trump said during the ceremony in December 2020. “Everybody respects him. He’s tough as hell, and yet they all respect Lou. They just — it’s amazing. They love him and they respect him. Sometimes it’s a combination that doesn’t add up, you know? They’ve never been a coach, but I’ve never been a coach in my life, but you’re a coach.” said. And it’s true that his players have really loved him.
Head coach Lou Holtz of the Notre Dame Fighting Irish watches from the sideline during an NCAA football game against the Stanford Cardinal on October 7, 1989 at Stanford Stadium in Palo Alto, California. (David Madison/Getty Images)
Holtz, who also spoke at the 2020 Republican National Convention, was humbled by the honor.
“It’s the highest honor or award you can possibly receive, and I receive it with mixed emotions. First of all, I’m humbled,” Holtz said.Fox & Friends” afterwards. “There are many more people far more worthy than I, I assure you.
“No one is more grateful than me. So I’m thrilled to have this opportunity, and at the same time, I’m thrilled to receive it from President Trump. I admire and respect the president. I think he did a great job.”
At the time, Holtz also called Trump “one of the great presidents of my lifetime.”
Holtz finished his coaching career with a record of 249-132-7 in 388 games. He was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in 2008.
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