A Worthy Adversary: Lou Holtz Passes Away at 89
America lost a legend of College Football Coaching in former Notre Dame Head Coach Lou Holtz.
In a career that spanned almost 45 years, Holtz coached at William and Mary, North Carolina State University, the University of Arkansas, the University of Minnesota, the University of Notre Dame, and the University of South Carolina.
Fifty years ago, in 1976 — as Philadelphia prepared for its Bicentennial Celebration — the Eagles welcomed in a new Coach. Dick Vermeil didn’t just bring with him the promise of improving a franchise that had spent the better part of the last sixteen years enduring some of the worst seasons in its history. He brought with him a strong work ethic, which led to an intense Training Camp at Widener University.
At one point — Vermeil even complained about the celebratory flyovers in July of 1976 helping to commemorate America’s 200th birthday taking concentration away from his practicing players.
Ninety-five miles north of Philadelphia, the New York Jets welcomed a young coach of their own.
That coach was Lou Holtz.
Holtz took the Head Coaching position with the Jets in February of that same year, beating out candidates such as Marv Levy. Previously, Holtz had led the North Carolina Wolfpack to four consecutive Bowl Games and an ACC Championship. Now, like Vermeil, he had brought that success in the college ranks to the NFL.
During the late 1980s, while Holtz was the Head Coach at Notre Dame — the Irish had some great matchups with Joe Paterno’s Nittany Lions — who were complete with talent, Frankford High School’s Blair Thomas, and incredible matchups like in 1987, 1990, and 1992.
Vermeil and Holtz never met again on an NFL sideline.
Holtz would resign the Head Coaching role for the New York Jets — saying before he left — “God did not put Lou Holtz on this earth to coach professional football.”
Discover more from Philadelphia Sports Nation
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
Categorized:College National News