[cardcrimson]

RIP Lou Holtz.  He was 89.  Not my cup of tea in a lot of ways. But overall, a guy that I think was a pretty good ambassador for college football.

I will only remember him for one thing and that is endorsing and making videos for virulent racist Jesse Helms in the 80s.

I know  nothing about that.

What I do know is that he coached college football for 33 years. During which time he undoubtedly had some influence over the lives of hundreds of young black men. And from what I’ve read about him – a positive influence.

If that’s wrong – then I will stand corrected.

Here's his Wikipedia entry, so folks can judge for themselves. Coach Holtz had his share of non-political controversies as well, but I agree that overall he was a great ambassador for college football, especially in his post-coaching days.

I had a chance to talk with Coach Holtz before he gave a speech to a couple thousand people in Syracuse in the 90's. I poked him a little about how much fun it had been watching Stanford play in South Bend the last few years (a comeback win then a blowout). He quickly retorted that I must not have gone to the games in Palo Alto (I hadn't). Quick witted guy. We talked a little more about Stanford and ND. Later that night, he mentioned our conversation in his speech and talked about how institutions like Stanford and ND who pride themselves on both academic and athletic excellence should be the benchmark for college athletics. And this was on the floor of the Carrier Dome, no less. That's the one thing I remember him for. RIP Coach. . . .

[cardcrimson]

RIP Lou Holtz.  He was 89.  Not my cup of tea in a lot of ways. But overall, a guy that I think was a pretty good ambassador for college football.

I will only remember him for one thing and that is endorsing and making videos for virulent racist Jesse Helms in the 80s.

I know  nothing about that.

What I do know is that he coached college football for 33 years. During which time he undoubtedly had some influence over the lives of hundreds of young black men. And from what I’ve read about him – a positive influence.

If that’s wrong – then I will stand corrected.

Here's his Wikipedia entry, so folks can judge for themselves. Coach Holtz had his share of non-political controversies as well, but I agree that overall he was a great ambassador for college football, especially in his post-coaching days.

I had a chance to talk with Coach Holtz before he gave a speech to a couple thousand people in Syracuse in the 90's. I poked him a little about how much fun it had been watching Stanford play in South Bend the last few years (a comeback win then a blowout). He quickly retorted that I must not have gone to the games in Palo Alto (I hadn't). Quick witted guy. We talked a little more about Stanford and ND. Later that night, he mentioned our conversation in his speech and talked about how institutions like Stanford and ND who pride themselves on both academic and athletic excellence should be the benchmark for college athletics. And this was on the floor of the Carrier Dome, no less. That's the one thing I remember him for. RIP Coach. . . .