Lou Holtz Net Worth 2025 and Lou Holtz Salary: Lou Holtz is a legendary American football coach and former ESPN analyst with a net worth of $20 million in 2025, who earned a peak salary of $6 million during his tenure at South Carolina, achieved 249 college victories, won a national championship with Notre Dame in 1988, and received the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2020.
Net Worth and Earnings
Lou Holtz possesses a net worth of $20 million in 2024, accumulated through his extensive coaching career and broadcasting work. His peak coaching salary reached $6 million annually during his tenure at South Carolina. His earnings include compensation from ESPN, where he served as a college football analyst from 2005 to 2015.
Early Life and Education
Born on January 6, 1937, in Follansbee, West Virginia, Louis Leo Holtz grew up in East Liverpool, Ohio. His parents, Andrew and Anne Holtz, raised him in a Catholic household. His father worked as a bus driver and had German-Irish heritage, while his maternal grandparents emigrated from Chernobyl, Ukraine. Holtz attended Kent State University, where he played linebacker on the football team and earned a history degree in 1959. He also completed the Army Reserve Officers’ Training Corps program, receiving a commission as a Field Artillery Officer.
Coaching Career
Holtz’s coaching journey began as a graduate assistant at Iowa in 1960. His career progression includes significant positions:
William & Mary (1969-1971): First head coaching position, leading the team to a Southern Conference title
NC State (1972-1975): Achieved a 33-12-3 record and multiple bowl appearances
Arkansas (1977-1983): Compiled a 60-21-2 record with six bowl game appearances
Notre Dame (1986-1996): Led the Fighting Irish to their last national championship in 1988
South Carolina (1999-2004): Transformed the program with consecutive Outback Bowl victories
Notable Achievements
The 1988 season marks Holtz’s greatest achievement, leading Notre Dame to a perfect 12-0 record and national championship. His career includes:
- 249 college victories
- 12 bowl game wins
- Only coach to lead six different programs to bowl games
- College Football Hall of Fame induction in 2008
- Presidential Medal of Freedom recipient in 2020
Broadcasting and Post-Coaching Career
After coaching, Holtz transitioned to broadcasting with CBS Sports in the 1990s before joining ESPN. His analytical work and distinctive commentary style made him a recognizable figure in college football coverage until his retirement from broadcasting in 2015.
Personal Life and Family
Holtz married Beth Barcus on July 22, 1961, maintaining their union until her passing from cancer on June 30, 2020. The couple raised four children, with three graduating from Notre Dame. His son Skip Holtz followed his footsteps into coaching. Holtz resides in Lake Nona Golf & Country Club in Orlando, Florida, where he experienced a significant house fire in 2015 caused by lightning.
Properties and Assets
His primary residence in Lake Nona demonstrates his financial success. In 2020, Holtz sold his Orlando mansion for $4 million after listing it at $4.5 million. The 11,000-square-foot home underwent significant renovation following lightning damage in 2015.
Controversies
Throughout his career, Holtz faced several controversies, including NCAA violations at Minnesota and South Carolina. His tenure at South Carolina ended with the program receiving three years of probation in 2005 for recruiting violations. His political statements and public appearances have also generated debate, particularly his comments during the 2020 Republican National Convention.
Latest News
The rivalry between Lou Holtz and Ryan Day has intensified during the 2024 College Football Playoff championship game preparations. The 88-year-old Holtz’s presence in Atlanta for the championship game has brought renewed attention to their ongoing feud, which originated in September 2023.
The conflict began when Holtz appeared on “The Pat McAfee Show” and criticized Ohio State’s physicality under Day’s leadership. Holtz specifically pointed out Day’s losses against major opponents, stating, “He has lost to Alabama, Georgia, Clemson and Michigan twice. Everybody that beats him does so because they’re more physical than Ohio State.”
Day responded forcefully after Ohio State’s 17-14 victory over Notre Dame in September 2023, famously asking, “I’d like to know where Lou Holtz is right now.” The exchange continued when Holtz later responded through an interview with Dan Dakich, suggesting Day was deflecting attention from his Michigan losses.
In January 2025, Holtz has shown a shift in his stance, acknowledging changes in Ohio State’s program. On his recent podcast, he stated, “This is a different Ohio State football team than we’ve seen in past years. I’ve always said Ohio State’s not a real physical football team, but that’s not true with this football team.” He particularly praised Ohio State’s improved offense under coordinator Chip Kelly and their defense’s performance.
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