Lou Holtz’s legendary tenure as football coach concluded with his having led six different football teams to bowl games (tournament games with the top-level National Collegiate Athletic Association football teams)—and he remains the only college football coach to do so in NCAA history. Most notably at Notre Dame, and also at the College of William and Mary, North Carolina State, and other top schools, the College Football Hall of Famer inspired players to give their all on the field. “It’s like they’re your children. They came under your guidance. [You] do everything you can to prepare them to be successful in football and in life,” Mr. Holtz said in an interview with American Essence. He realized that he could teach them to become men of good character by following three main rules. Even if some initially showed resistance, they would eventually listen to Mr. Holtz because he persisted in showing them that he cared about them and believed in them.
We asked Mr. Holtz how to be our very best selves.
This interview has been edited for clarity and brevity.
