The coach retires after 33 season and 249 wins, with Steve Spurrier set to replace him at South Carolina.
By Associated Press
Published November 23, 2004
COLUMBIA, S.C. - As South Carolina coach Lou Holtz left the game he has cherished for 33 seasons, he couldn't resist poor-mouthing himself one last time.
"What am I qualified to do? I don't know, maybe carry the cord" of the coach's headset, he joked Monday.
Holtz, who could make playing Navy sound tougher than playing the Cowboys, stepped into retirement and cleared the way for the Gamecocks to introduce Steve Spurrier as his replacement today.
Holtz, 67, goes out with 249 wins, eighth most in Division I-A, and a reputation for turning stumbling programs into winners. At each of his six schools - William & Mary, North Carolina State, Arkansas, Minnesota, Notre Dame and the Gamecocks - Holtz went to bowl games by his second season.
His greatest accomplishment came in 1988, when he led Notre Dame to the national title three seasons after the Gerry Faust era ended.
"Lou Holtz has been one of the great coaches in college football history," said Florida State coach Bobby Bowden, the Division I wins leader. "He has brought a lot to the game and has coached some great teams. It will seem strange without him."
His latest reconstruction at South Carolina was as remarkable. He came out of retirement in 1998, and after going 0-11 his first season he coached the Gamecocks to their best two-year mark (17-7) and consecutive Outback Bowl wins.
"I don't know what I'm going to do. I have faith in the Lord to let him lead me. As long as my family's with me, everything else will be okay," Holtz said. "But I do feel confident leaving here that the football program is on a firm foundation."
Spurrier will be introduced at a news conference today, the Associated Press reported.
Holtz worried that his reputation would be damaged by his last game, a 29-7 loss to Clemson that included an ugly brawl.
"Isn't it a heck of a note, Lou Holtz is going to be remembered along with Woody Hayes for having a fight at the Clemson game," Holtz said of his mentor, whose career ended after he punched Clemson linebacker Charlie Bauman at the Gator Bowl in 1978.
