Keith Olbermann sparks outrage with attack on Lou Holtz on social media

Former ESPN broadcaster Keith Olbermann incited social media backlash again Wednesday after he called the late legendary college football coach Lou Holtz a “legendary scumbag” in an X post the day Holtz was announced dead.

“Legendary bullshit, yes,” Olbermann wrote in response to a clip of Holtz criticizing former President Joe Biden in 2020 for supporting abortion rights.

Olbermann received sharp criticism in response to his post on X.

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“You are a piece of shit who needs mental help,” one X user wrote to Olbermann.

One user echoed that sentiment, writing to Olbermann: “You’re the real scum here. Lou Holtz had more class, integrity and real decency in his little finger than you’ll ever show in your life.”

Another user wrote: “You are a grumpy, lonely, godless man. All the things Lou Holtz was not.”

Olbermann has made it a pattern to share politically charged far-left opinions that are often combative and ridiculed on social media, typically resulting in huge backlash.

After the US men’s hockey team’s gold medal victory, Olbermann strongly criticized the team for accepting an invitation from President Trump to the State of the Union address. Olbermann wrote on X that every member of the men’s team who attended the event “declared their indelible stupidity and misogyny”, while praising the women’s team for declining the invitation.

In January, Olbermann attacked former University of Kentucky women’s swimmer Kaitlynn Wheeler for celebrating a women’s rights rally outside the U.S. Supreme Court during oral arguments for two cases that focused on the legality of biologically male trans athletes in women’s sports.

Former Notre Dame football coach Lou Holtz listens before being presented with the Presidential Medal of Freedom at the White House in Washington, DC on December 3, 2020. (Doug Mills/The New York Times/Bloomberg via Getty Images)

“It’s still about you trying to find an excuse for a wasted life trying to succeed in sports with no talent,” Olbermann wrote in response to Wheeler’s post.

In 2025, Olbermann faced significant backlash after posting (and later deleting) a message on X directed at CNN contributor Scott Jennings that said, “You’re the next mother—–” shortly after the murder of conservative influencer Charlie Kirk.

Holtz was a staunch supporter of President Donald Trump, even saying 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.

After Holtz’s death was announced Wednesday, several top GOP figures paid tribute to the coach on social media.

Those GOP lawmakers included Sens. Tommy Tuberville, R-Ala.; Todd Young, R-Ind.; Tom Cotton, R-Ark.; and Lindsey GrahamRS.C.; Representatives Greg Murphy, RN.C.; David Rouzer, RN.C.; Erin Houchin, R-Ind.; and Steve Womack, R-Ark.; and Florida Governor Ron DeSantis; Indiana Governor Mike Braun; US Secretary of Education Linda McMahon; and Rudy Giuliani.

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Lou Holtz, former Notre Dame football coach, speaks at the America First Policy Institute’s America First Agenda Summit at the Marriott Marquis on July 26, 2022. (Tom Williams/CQ-Roll Call, Inc.)

At the time of publication, prominent Democratic leaders appeared silent on Holtz’s passing, including prominent Democrats with football backgrounds.

Minnesota Governor Tim Walz, who worked as an assistant high school football coach; Late. 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. Rep. Kam Buckner, D-Ill., who played football for the University of Illinois, has not posted acknowledging Holtz’s death.

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