Trump pays tribute to Lou Holtz after legendary football coach's death

Legendary Notre Dame national championship-winning football coach Lou Holtz dies at age 89.

President Donald Trump paid respects to late legendary football coach Lou Holtz Thursday after Holtz's death Wednesday at the age of 89. 

Trump shared a tribute to Holtz in a Truth Social post. 

Former Notre Dame football coach Lou Holtz listens before being presented with the Presidential Medal of Freedom at the White House in Washington, D.C., Dec, 3, 2020. (Doug Mills/The New York Times/Bloomberg via Getty Images)

"The wonderful Lou Holtz passed away yesterday, so sad. Lou was an absolute WINNER both on and off the field. Not only did he spearhead Notre Dame’s HISTORIC undefeated season in 1988 (including the legendary 31-30 ‘Catholics v. Convicts’ Victory against Miami), he raised Millions upon Millions for struggling student-athletes, and the AMAZING University of Notre Dame (Go Irish!)," Trump wrote. 

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"He was also a true American Patriot, supporting me through thick and thin, and consistently speaking out against Democrat Insanity, including ‘Transgender for Everybody,’ and the Illegal Alien Invasion. 

"It is for all this incredible work that I gave Lou Holtz our Nation’s Highest Civilian Honor, the Presidential Medal of Freedom. Rest in Peace, Lou. Because of Patriots like you, we have made America GREAT AGAIN! President DONALD J. TRUMP."

Holtz was a known supporter of Trump, even saying in February 2024 that Trump needed to "coach America back to greatness!"

Near the end of Trump's first term, shortly after former President Joe Biden defeated him in the 2020 election, Trump awarded Holtz with the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the highest civilian award of the United