Sights and Sounds from Lou Holtz’s Funeral at Notre Dame

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Legendary college football coach Lou Holtz died earlier this month at the age of 89 and on Sunday night and Monday, had his memorial services held at the University of Notre Dame.
The University held a visitation on Sunday night and Mass of Christian Burial on Monday, as Mother Nature herself had one final joke for the often comedic Holtz.
As you would expect, some of the biggest surviving names in the history of Notre Dame football were in attendance, as well as some of the bigger names in the sport.
Below are different posts to social media over Sunday and Monday as the national championship-winning head coach and Presidential Medal of Freedom recipient was remembered on Notre Dame's campus.
Grotto Lights up to Honor Lou Holtz
God rest Coach 🙏🏼
— Holtz's Heroes Foundation (@HoltzHeroes) March 15, 2026
Notre Dame Our Mother, pray for us 🙏🏼 pic.twitter.com/cr9L7D26pw
Few and far between have been as beloved by the Notre Dame community as Holtz.
Former Players Gather to Honor Lou Holtz
L🫶🏼U’S Crew! pic.twitter.com/3lLLqUAIgG
— Holtz's Heroes Foundation (@HoltzHeroes) March 16, 2026
Former Players Speak About Lou Holtz
“If there was a transfer portal 40 years ago, we all would have transferred that day.”
— Angelo Di Carlo (@angdicarlo) March 16, 2026
It wasn’t always warm and fuzzes to play for Lou Holtz.
That toughness led to greatness for them as players and people says former Holtz players Chris Zorich, Shawn Wooden and Corny Southall. pic.twitter.com/ullDVmzEo1
This video is a perfect example of what I don't love about college sports today. You see players discussing getting dealt a new head coach, and how if it were today that many would have transferred. Instead, you see what sticking around got those guys.
Former Notre Dame President John Jenkins Gives Eulogy for Holtz
WATCH: Former #NotreDame President John I. Jenkins eulogizes late coach Lou Holtz. #NDFootball pic.twitter.com/F42FJvydyN
— Mike BerardinoNDI (@MikeBerardino) March 16, 2026
Holtz Family Enters Sacred Heart Basilica
Lou Holtz’s family processes into the Basilica of the Sacred Heart with Holtz’s casket.
— Irish Illustrated (@irishillustratd) March 16, 2026
The Funeral Mass can be live streamed here: https://t.co/EICdNngInM pic.twitter.com/Okl2E6p6Fe
Alma Mater Starts Holtz Funeral Procession
One last Alma Mater for Coach
— University of Notre Dame (@NotreDame) March 16, 2026
Love thee ☘️ pic.twitter.com/ArEOp1pW4L
A fitting touch for Holtz, as many may have loved Notre Dame during their lives as much as he did, but nobody did so more.
Holtz Procession Down Notre Dame Avenue
There’s something serene about snowfall during the funeral procession of legendary Fighting Irish head coach Lou Holtz.
— Tyler Horka (@tbhorka) March 16, 2026
Holtz did anything for his players. Today, his players walked down Notre Dame Avenue for him in quintessential South Bend conditions.
Just feels right. RIP. pic.twitter.com/t0uvuHy3kC
The weather was certainly fitting for the man who won 100 games as Notre Dame's head coach. Also fitting were the far more than 100 former players that made the walk on a snowy day in South Bend.
Former ESPN Colleague Rece Davis Attends
ESPN’s Rece Davis (r), former studio colleague of the late Lou Holtz, pays his respects with a snowy walk down #NotreDame Avenue. pic.twitter.com/BVbfv02ONv
— Mike BerardinoNDI (@MikeBerardino) March 16, 2026
Davis was the host of the iconic College Football Final on ESPN, that Holtz served as an analyst with Mark May on. Davis has talked about his friendship with Holtz aside from work for years.
Marcus Freeman and Brian Kelly Both Attend Holtz Services
Lou Holtz’s funeral service has begun at the Basilica of the Sacred Heart. Marcus Freeman and Brian Kelly are in attendance. @SBTribune @AustinRHough @MikeBerardino @tnoieNDI @SBTsports pic.twitter.com/JW8U1OZrdA
— Michael Clubb (@MichaelClubb4) March 16, 2026
Freeman and Holtz's relationship has been well documented.
There will be people that have things to say about Kelly attending, but that's not what today is for. Instead of worrying about Kelly not writing letters back to Holtz, I think more about the story of how Holtz helped Kelly come up with the game plan to beat Army during the 2010 season.
Holtz's Football Legacy Remains on Full Display
Full-time reminder of Lou Holtz’s football contributions inside Purcell Pavilion at #NotreDame pic.twitter.com/CfWcAvp4Ca
— Mike BerardinoNDI (@MikeBerardino) March 16, 2026

Managing Editor for Notre Dame On SI. Started covering Chicago sports teams for WSCR the Score, and over the years worked with CBS Radio, Audacy, NBC Sports, and FOX Sports as a contributor before running the Notre Dame wire site for USA TODAY.