President Donald Trump calls Lou Holtz “one of the greatest coaches in American history.” He honored the college football Hall of Famer and political ally with the nation’s highest civilian honor: the Presidential Medal of Freedom.
According to the White House website, the Medal of Freedom “is awarded by the President of the United States to individuals who have made exceptional contributions to the security or national interests of America, to world peace, or to cultural or other significant public or private endeavors.”
Holtz’s 34-year coaching career included the 1988 national title at the University of Notre Dame. Holtz led six different programs to bowl games and is an outspoken Trump backer. He received the award during an Oval Office ceremony.
“Wherever Lou went, football glory followed,” Trump said at the medal ceremony.
Holtz, 83, is one of several sports figures Trump has awarded the Medal of Freedom during his time office. Others include former NFL Hall of Famer and Minnesota Supreme Court Justice Alan Page, Olympic track and field athlete and former Rep. Jim Ryun, golfer Tiger Woods, Hall of Fame quarterback Roger Staubach, pro basketball greats Bob Cousy and Jerry West, and baseball legends Babe Ruth and Mariano Rivera.
He has also given the medal to politicians, a lawyer, a doctor, and several businesspeople.
Holtz saw a difference in his award. “They’re recognized for what they did. I’m recognized for what other people did,” he says. “I never made a block or a tackle, but I did try to teach people to make good choices. That’s all I ever tried to do.”
That advice is good for Christians too. “Show yourself in all respects to be a model of good works, and in your teaching show integrity, dignity, and sound speech.” (Titus 2:7-8)
A graduate of Kent State, Holtz served seven years as an officer in the U.S. Army Reserves.
Holtz’s career, in addition to Notre Dame, included stops at William & Mary, North Carolina State, the University of Arkansas, the University of Minnesota, and the University of South Carolina. He also coached the NFL’s New York Jets in 1976.
Holtz says that being honored by Trump made the award particularly meaningful. “I’m even prouder to receive it from President Donald Trump,” says Holtz.
The West Virginia native was among the speakers at this year’s Republican National Convention. He gave the President a strong endorsement. President Trump announced the week after Holtz’s convention speech that he would honor the retired coach with the medal.
On November 19, Holtz disclosed that he had tested positive for the coronavirus. But he recovered quickly and was able to attend the White House ceremony that included about 30 people.
“He’s really a life teacher,” says Trump, noting the respect and loyalty Holtz earned from the many players he mentored. “He teaches people how to live and how to live properly and how to live with dignity.”
(Former football coach Lou Holtz smiles after receiving the Presidential Medal of Freedom from President Donald Trump in the Oval Office of the White House on December 3, 2020, in Washington, D.C. (AP/Evan Vucci)
