Trivia

Compiled a 100-30-2 record at Notre Dame. Won a national championship in 1988 and had two near-misses in 1989 and 1993. Had a school record 23-game winning steak in 1988-1989 and a 17-game winning streak in 1992-1993. Coached the Fighting Irish in more games than any other football coach in school history and is second only to Knute Rockne in total victories. Took Notre Dame to nine consecutive bowl games, winning five of them.

Named national coach of the year in 1977 and 1988.

Played football at Kent State. Graduated in 1959.

Served as an assistant coach at Iowa (1960); William & Mary (1961-1963); Connecticut (1964-1965); South Carolina (1966-1967) and Ohio State (1968), when the Buckeyes were national champions. Served as head coach at William & Mary (1969-1971); North Carolina State (1972-1975); New York Jets (1976); Arkansas (1977-1983); University of Minnesota (1984-1985); Notre Dame (1986-1996) and South Carolina (1999-2004). Retired from coaching after the 2004 season.

Took every team he coached to at least one bowl game. Did not coach the Minnesota Gophers in the 1985 Independence Bowl because he had already accepted the head coaching position at Notre Dame.

College football analyst for ESPN (September 2005)

His wife, Beth Holtz, passed away on June 30, 2020, after a long battle with throat cancer.

[3 December 2020] Awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom by President Donald Trump at a ceremony in the Oval Office.

Inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in 2008.

Inducted into the College of William & Mary Athletics Hall of Fame in 1920.

Inducted into the University of Arkansas Sports Hall of Honor in 2016.

Inducted into the Indiana Football Hall of Fame in 2010.

Received an honorary doctorate from the University of Portland in 2012; was the commencement speaker.

Inducted into the Cotton Bowl Classic Hall of Fame in 2012.

Inducted into the Orange Bowl Hall of Fame in 1998.