Lou Holtz...
- Thread starter B.A.R.
- Start date
TahoeLegend
Pretty much a regular
Sorry to hear that. He was a hell of a coach.
Holtz pulled off one of the greatest upsets in college bowl history against one of Barry Switzer's greatest teams, led by Billy Sims, in the 1978 Orange Bowl. OU was a 24-point favorite and was ranked #2 in the country. Texas had been #1, but had lost earlier in the day, so all OU had to do was win and they could add another national title.
Holtz pulled one of his favorite stunts, suspending three players, including his two best, for rules violations during the week before the game. No one in Oklahoma knows how to this day, but Arkansas not only won, they pounded the Sooners 31-6. Switzer was one of the greatest motivators who ever lived. I don't recall another time in all the years Switzer was at OU when the Sooners were not fired up for a big game, but somehow Holtz had his team more ready to play.
Holtz was his usual self all week, talking up how great the Sooners were and how Arkansas would try, but they just didn't have to talent to beat a team like OU.
Holtz was one of the greatest of all time and he was at his best when he was a big underdog
Holtz pulled off one of the greatest upsets in college bowl history against one of Barry Switzer's greatest teams, led by Billy Sims, in the 1978 Orange Bowl. OU was a 24-point favorite and was ranked #2 in the country. Texas had been #1, but had lost earlier in the day, so all OU had to do was win and they could add another national title.
Holtz pulled one of his favorite stunts, suspending three players, including his two best, for rules violations during the week before the game. No one in Oklahoma knows how to this day, but Arkansas not only won, they pounded the Sooners 31-6. Switzer was one of the greatest motivators who ever lived. I don't recall another time in all the years Switzer was at OU when the Sooners were not fired up for a big game, but somehow Holtz had his team more ready to play.
Holtz was his usual self all week, talking up how great the Sooners were and how Arkansas would try, but they just didn't have to talent to beat a team like OU.
Holtz was one of the greatest of all time and he was at his best when he was a big underdog
Last edited:
Great memory, thx for sharing.
My family and I are huge Notre Dame fans and Lou is the best. My oldest brother saw Notre Dame beat West Virginia for the National Title in 1988 and ran into Lou at the airport after the game. He was a total class act. Growing up I was able to attend an event in PA where he was the guest speaker. I was in high school at the time. He wasn't talking about football, but just life in general and I was ready to run through a brick wall, lol. He was a master motivator and has some of the greatest quotes out there. It's easy to see why his teams were so dominant during his era at Notre Dame....Marcus Freeman is the closest thing to Lou Notre Dame has had as a coach since and it's not even close.
Thanks for sharing...
Rewatching Catholics vs Convicts after OSU Miami game this year was a good stroll down memory lane and I really concentrated on the part where Holtz ultimately came to ND. Pivotal point in their football history.
TahoeLegend
Pretty much a regular
I agree with you about how Holtz had a way with quotes.
One year Arkansas qualified for the Orange Bowl and the crowd threw oranges onto the field at the end of the game. The reporters asked Holtz about it and he said, "I'm just glad we aren't playing in the Gator Bowl."
Lou Holtz, Legendary National Championship Coach, Passes Away
Lou Holtz, the legendary college football coach who led the University of Notre Dame to the 1988 National Championship, has passed away at the age of 89.
fightingirish.com
KSUVOLS4LIFE
Pretty much a regular
Rip Mr Holtz
Frank Costanza
2024 and 2025 CTG Supporting Donation Member
I never heard Holtz speak at conferences but friends who did said you were ready to walk through a wall upon completion of his speech.
His last public appearance in November at the Orlando Touchdown Club.
RIP
His last public appearance in November at the Orlando Touchdown Club.
RIP
gps_3
Head of Alabama Department of Decision-Making
He wasn't my favorite, but there's no doubt he's an icon of the sport and is one of the first people I think of when I think about college football in my lifetime. Those late 80s ND teams with Rocket Ismail are some of the first teams I remember hating lol. I've heard he was an awesome guy. He was the member host for one of my friends that got to play Augusta National a few years ago and he said he couldn't have been a more gracious host. RIP
bookieassassin
Pretty much a regular
Always pissed me off - when I would hear people treating him as some sort of clown because of his lisp/speech impairment, as he continued to do what he loved (like Corso) instead of watching TV until death - like most do. Officially, he never had a stroke - but most any doctor will tell you he probably did have one, at some point.
I do recall the old man and uncle literally destroying the house after the Hogs destroyed OU's in the '78 Orange Bowl. The old man knew Switzer - who told him "we're gonna kick their ass, bet all you have" ha. I wish I could travel back in time and tell him - "Wait until kick-off man, TAKE THE DOG ffs ".....spread went from 18 to 24 by kick. Switzer totally blew the game off - OU never worked in pads - coaches didn't watch Arkansas film until a few days before the game. Meanwhile, Holtz had Pete Carroll and Monte Kiffin on his staff...... the old man had to get a part time job in the oil fields to cover his losses haha
Heard him speak at banquets/dinners several times, he was unbelievable.
AND ......MAGA types unite! ha
>> he was fired at Arkansas largely because of his conservative views, and support of Jesse Helms. Broyles told him to apologize / back off a bit - he refused. Broyles admitted it later...
I think he was probably unfairly pegged as racist - can't find much to suggest he was anything other than an old man born in 1937. He got shit for suspending the 3 black players - but he did it to stop her (white chick) from pressing charges and filing a lawsuit. BTW the players sued to play in the game, but that was rejected by none other than Bill Clinton.
I do recall the old man and uncle literally destroying the house after the Hogs destroyed OU's in the '78 Orange Bowl. The old man knew Switzer - who told him "we're gonna kick their ass, bet all you have" ha. I wish I could travel back in time and tell him - "Wait until kick-off man, TAKE THE DOG ffs ".....spread went from 18 to 24 by kick. Switzer totally blew the game off - OU never worked in pads - coaches didn't watch Arkansas film until a few days before the game. Meanwhile, Holtz had Pete Carroll and Monte Kiffin on his staff...... the old man had to get a part time job in the oil fields to cover his losses haha
Heard him speak at banquets/dinners several times, he was unbelievable.
AND ......MAGA types unite! ha
>> he was fired at Arkansas largely because of his conservative views, and support of Jesse Helms. Broyles told him to apologize / back off a bit - he refused. Broyles admitted it later...
I think he was probably unfairly pegged as racist - can't find much to suggest he was anything other than an old man born in 1937. He got shit for suspending the 3 black players - but he did it to stop her (white chick) from pressing charges and filing a lawsuit. BTW the players sued to play in the game, but that was rejected by none other than Bill Clinton.
This is great man, thanks.
As a mid 40s guy, my first memories of CFB are Rose Bowls and Rocket running back kicks on UM. So, that's where my Holtz education begins. I've really been fascinated with the rest of career the last few months. These types of posts are great to give us a perspective.
Thats great!
OutstandingAn all-time classic for what happened on and off the field for that game.
The Notre Dame students had put Jimmy Johnson's unlisted phone number on a billboard in South Bend prior to that game was one that comes to mind.