Holtz Reportedly To Quit Irish; Nfl Next?

Lou Holtz, one of college football’s most successful coaches, will step down at Notre Dame at the end of the season, a source close to the situation said Friday night. An announcement is expected Tuesday, and Holtz is considering a return to the NFL where he was a flop two decades ago, the source said.

CBS and ESPN also reported that Holtz planned to quit.

Holtz, 59, has hinted at retirement lately, and he decided Thursday to leave the nation’s most visible college football job over frustration that the school’s criteria for admitting athletes has put his program at a disadvantage, the source said.

On Friday, responding at his weekly Quarterback Club luncheon to rumors of his possible departure, Holtz said, “I do have something on my mind, but we’ll talk about it next week.”

The Fighting Irish are 6-2 and ranked 14th in the current Associated Press poll. Holtz is second behind Knute Rockne for victories at Notre Dame, needing eight to surpass the legendary coach. His 98-29-2 record in 11 seasons includes a national championship in 1988, his third season.

The source close to the situation said Holtz is considering two NFL jobs, with the Atlanta Falcons and Minnesota Vikings. The source said Holtz prefers the Atlanta job if he has full control over team operations. The Falcons are 1-9 this season, and team spokesman Charlie Taylor said Friday night that team president Taylor Smith “has indicated he’s not looking for anybody right now.” Coach June Jones has two years remaining on his contract, Taylor said.

Holtz has been a head coach since 1969, when he took over at William & Mary. He then moved to North Carolina State in 1973 before taking the New York Jets job in 1976. But his NFL stint ended unceremoniously as he quit with one game remaining in his first season; earlier that season, he had benched quarterback Joe Namath.

Holtz returned to college football with Arkansas in 1977 and spent seven seasons there. He took over at Minnesota in 1984 and spent two seasons there before arriving at Notre Dame, which he called his dream job.

Top-ranked Ohio State defeated Notre Dame, 29-13, earlier this season “with the kids he couldn’t get in,” the source said. Also, there has been some concern because the Irish have lost six of their past 16 games in hallowed Notre Dame Stadium.