ESPN REPORT: Notre Dame Legend Lou Holtz Crowned Greatest of All Time in College Football
May 16, 2025 | ESPN Staff Report
In a historic moment that has sparked spirited debate across the college football landscape, Lou Holtz — the legendary former head coach of the Notre Dame Fighting Irish — has been named the Greatest of All Time (GOAT) in college football, surpassing some of the most iconic names in the sport’s storied history.
The decision comes after months of polling from fans, analysts, coaches, and historians in a comprehensive ESPN initiative designed to settle one of football’s most enduring debates. Holtz edged out former Georgia Bulldog great Herschel Walker, Florida Gators icon Tim Tebow, Texas Longhorns powerhouse Earl Campbell, and Michigan’s all-time legend Charles Woodson in a tight race that combined career impact, legacy, and cultural significance.
Holtz, 87, coached college football for over three decades, most notably at Notre Dame from 1986 to 1996, where he revitalized the program and led the Fighting Irish to an undefeated national championship season in 1988. Under his leadership, Notre Dame returned to prominence, earning nine consecutive bowl game appearances and finishing in the top 10 of the AP poll five times during his tenure.
“What Lou Holtz did at Notre Dame and across his entire coaching career is unmatched,” said Kirk Herbstreit on College GameDay. “He didn’t just win games — he built programs, shaped young men, and elevated the sport. This honor reflects the full measure of what he contributed to college football.”
Holtz’s career win total of 249 ranks among the top in FBS history, and he remains the only coach to lead six different programs to bowl games. His signature motivational style, deep sense of discipline, and ability to connect with players both on and off the field helped transform college football coaching into a leadership craft.
Many fans expected one of the high-profile players like Herschel Walker — the 1982 Heisman winner and the driving force behind Georgia’s 1980 national title — or Tim Tebow — who led the Gators to two national championships and redefined the quarterback position — to take the crown. Earl Campbell’s brutal running style and 1977 Heisman campaign made him a Texas legend, while Charles Woodson’s 1997 Heisman win as a defensive player remains a singular feat.
Still, it was Holtz’s overall contribution to the game — not just as a coach, but as a cultural ambassador and analyst — that ultimately separated him.
“Lou Holtz is college football,” said ESPN senior writer Ivan Maisel. “He coached, taught, inspired, and left a legacy at every school he touched. More than stats, it’s the stories, the players he mentored, and the way he carried the game with integrity that made him the GOAT.”
Following the announcement, Notre Dame’s campus erupted in celebration, with students and alumni paying tribute to the man who brought glory back to South Bend. In response, Holtz offered a characteristically humble reaction.
“I’m honored and humbled,” Holtz said. “This game gave me everything. I’m just grateful to have been part of it.”
In a sport built on tradition and legacy, Lou Holtz’s recognition as the greatest of all time cements his place among the immortals of college football.
