Millions are remembering the life and legacy of Lou Holtz this week, the former Notre Dame football coach and beloved Catholic who died after a brief time in hospice. 

A devoted husband to his late wife Beth, a beloved father, grandfather and great grandfather, the football coaching legnd was 89 when he died this week surrounded by his loving family. 

As we reflect on his character and Catholic faith, here are some things to know about this extraordinary man who died this Lenten season: 

1. Lou Holtz gave us the mother of all sports quips. When a rival chaplain argued that God doesn’t care who wins football games, the Notre Dame football coach responded: “God doesn’t care who wins tomorrow. But his Mother does.”

2. Long before he ever coached at Notre Dame, a young Lou Holtz was formed by the Sisters of Notre Dame, attending St. Aloysius Grade School in East Liverpool, Ohio. He often credited his time with the nuns for his faith formation. 

As Holtz told the Register in 2012:

"The Sisters of Notre Dame at St. Aloysius Grade School influenced my life tremendously. This was due to the fact that they encouraged you always to make sure that God is the focus of your life, and they didn’t allow you to do anything except to the very best of your ability."

3. Holtz always dreamed of playing football, not coaching, but God answered his prayer “differently.” Speaking to BeliefNet, Holtz said the way to make God laugh is to tell him your plans for the future. 

“I used to pray when I was growing up that I would be a good athlete ... and I was a poor athlete. I was two years ahead of my class, so consequently I was very immature academically, socially, and athletically. But I used to pray, ‘Oh, God, make me a good athlete,’ and I wasn’t. Yet he led me into a coaching profession that allowed me to be able to compete and be involved with all the great things about intercollegiate athletics for 30-plus years. When you’re growing up [you say], ‘God didn’t answer my prayers,’ and yet, he put you in a special place.”

As he told the Register, “God does answer your prayers, but it’s not always in the way you expect.” 

4. Holtz reinstated mandatory Mass and ‘God Quad’ as coach at Notre Dame. Believing that the football program wasn’t separate from the university’s religious mission, he would often refer to the “Lady on the Dome” as the true leader of the school. 

Speaking to the Register, Holtz always had fond memories of coaching at the Catholic institution:

"Every single day being there 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, which is a smaller-sized replica of the original in France."

He always stayed close to the football program, even connecting with current coach Marcus Freeman, a Catholic, that followed in the legend's footsteps by reinstating gameday Mass.  

5. He was a recipient of Christendom College’s Pro Deo et Patria Award. Although he had already received the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2020, he was humbled to receive the award from Christendom named “for God and country.” In his acceptance speech, he offered three rules to live by: 

6. Holtz was a national spokesman for Catholics Come Home. As a passionate Catholic, he wasn’t shy about sharing his faith In 2013, he starred in a national television commercial for the Catholics Come Home apostolate, in which he invited fallen-away Catholics back to the Church, stating that faith is what allows you to handle life’s difficulties.

7. Holtz was outspoken about his ‘100-100’ (rather than 50-50) mindset in marriage. Married to his bride, Beth, for 59 years until her death in 2020, he would often speak about her battle with cancer, calling it a privilege to serve her in her final days. 

Speaking about his wife to the Register shortly after their 50th wedding anniversary, Holtz said: 

"I appreciate my wife, Beth, so much. She has been there through good times and bad, and no one has been more supportive of me. Her loving attention and candor have helped me more than I can say. We’ve always done things as a team, not just me going my own way. That’s essential if you want your marriage to work, and ours has for many years."

8. The Catholic coach also had a long history and strong relationship with Benedictine College in Atchison, Kansas. He visited the campus three times to speak, including a commencement address and twice during the Opening Academic Convocations. In 2022, he remarked to the audience: 

“I’m humbled to be here, and I hope you realized how fortunate you are to be at a university where you can express your faith in God. It’s like everything else — you have to have a faith and you have to have a belief. I can’t begin to tell you how important that has been in my life.” 

He also added: 

“If you want to be happy for a month, buy a new car. If you want to be happy for a year, win the lottery. If you want to be happy for a lifetime, put your faith in Jesus Christ: He’ll never let you down.” 

9. Holtz also had an amazing ‘newspaper trick’ that he would share during speaking engagements. As he was literally tearing a newspaper into bits, he would say, "People can doubt you, but you can't doubt yourself. You must always believe that you are part of somthing special. No matter happens, people can tear you up or tear you down. If you have a faith and believe, you'll find a way." 

Prayers for Lou Holtz and his entire family!