IRISHDODGER
Blue Chip Recruit
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It's safe to say that, as Irish fans, Lou Holtz is one of our favorite coaches, but t's hard to ignore the fact that he's left most of his former schools (ND incl) under controversey as to whether he was forced out, quit, fired or retired.
Don't know about NC State, but w/ Arkansas, Minnesota (to a small degree), Notre Dame & South Carolina; there are usually 2 sides to the story as to why Holtz no longer coaches there.
With Arkansas, the fans thought he was getting bigger than the program after appearing on the cover of SI & then on the Tonight Show w/ Johnny Carson. He then, allegedly, sealed his fate when he shot some campaign commericals supporting former controversial North Carolina senator, Jesse Helms, during his re-election run. Of course, the case was made that, as a northerner, his corny jokes & personality never endeared himself to the southern fans. Yet to this day, it's hard to find a greater victory in Razorback history, than the enormous upset his '77 Hogs pulled over national title contending Oklahoma in the '78 Orange Bowl. This was after suspending his 2 starting RBs from the contest which made them prohibitive underdogs. They also, unknowingly, helped catapult ND to the National Championship that year as the Irish leapt from #4 to #1 after throttling #1 Texas.
With Minnesota, it was common knowledge that Holtz had the "Notre Dame" clause in his contract. So, I've always looked at that situation as cut & dry, but I've heard Gopher fans complain about his hasty departure & how he was responsible for some probabtion they incurred. Bottom line was that Holtz's contract stated that if he took Minnesota to a bowl game (quite a feat at that time!) & ND was interested in his services, that he could be released from his contract & go to ND. He did just that.
With ND, it seemed to be back to the argument as to whether Holtz had grown bigger than the program. Some say that the admissions were relaxed early in his tenure to get ND back into the national conversation & after his run of success from '87-93 & the loss of Vinny Cerrato as recruiting coordinator (genius), the admissions were tightened back up which led to subpar classes thereafter. I tend to think the loss of Cerrato hurt the most, but would like to know the specific state of admissions from the late 80s vs. the mid 90s. My understanding was that they only accepted two Prop-48s (one being Tony Rice) early on & then forbade it from that time on. My memory sometimes fails me however, so maybe you guys can fill me in.
With So. Carolina, it seemed as if the alumni/administration were ready for a change & as I recall, Holtz wanted to handpick his successor which became Spurrier. Does that sound right. As to whether he was fired, forced to retire or retire on his own terms...I have no idea.
The only thing certain is Coach Holtz's undying love for the University of Notre Dame. I believe that he & his wife have purchased burial plots there so they're final resting place will be at this beloved institiution.
Don't know about NC State, but w/ Arkansas, Minnesota (to a small degree), Notre Dame & South Carolina; there are usually 2 sides to the story as to why Holtz no longer coaches there.
With Arkansas, the fans thought he was getting bigger than the program after appearing on the cover of SI & then on the Tonight Show w/ Johnny Carson. He then, allegedly, sealed his fate when he shot some campaign commericals supporting former controversial North Carolina senator, Jesse Helms, during his re-election run. Of course, the case was made that, as a northerner, his corny jokes & personality never endeared himself to the southern fans. Yet to this day, it's hard to find a greater victory in Razorback history, than the enormous upset his '77 Hogs pulled over national title contending Oklahoma in the '78 Orange Bowl. This was after suspending his 2 starting RBs from the contest which made them prohibitive underdogs. They also, unknowingly, helped catapult ND to the National Championship that year as the Irish leapt from #4 to #1 after throttling #1 Texas.
With Minnesota, it was common knowledge that Holtz had the "Notre Dame" clause in his contract. So, I've always looked at that situation as cut & dry, but I've heard Gopher fans complain about his hasty departure & how he was responsible for some probabtion they incurred. Bottom line was that Holtz's contract stated that if he took Minnesota to a bowl game (quite a feat at that time!) & ND was interested in his services, that he could be released from his contract & go to ND. He did just that.
With ND, it seemed to be back to the argument as to whether Holtz had grown bigger than the program. Some say that the admissions were relaxed early in his tenure to get ND back into the national conversation & after his run of success from '87-93 & the loss of Vinny Cerrato as recruiting coordinator (genius), the admissions were tightened back up which led to subpar classes thereafter. I tend to think the loss of Cerrato hurt the most, but would like to know the specific state of admissions from the late 80s vs. the mid 90s. My understanding was that they only accepted two Prop-48s (one being Tony Rice) early on & then forbade it from that time on. My memory sometimes fails me however, so maybe you guys can fill me in.
With So. Carolina, it seemed as if the alumni/administration were ready for a change & as I recall, Holtz wanted to handpick his successor which became Spurrier. Does that sound right. As to whether he was fired, forced to retire or retire on his own terms...I have no idea.
The only thing certain is Coach Holtz's undying love for the University of Notre Dame. I believe that he & his wife have purchased burial plots there so they're final resting place will be at this beloved institiution.
