The Case:
1) He was the one who pushed for a permanent move towards the metrodome
2) He committed rule violations that later contributed to program probation
3) He left after just 2 years, and it was his players that pushed for the hiring of someone not named Bobby Ross. Had Holtz and his players not had his "aura" they likely wouldn't have been listened to.
4) He abandoned the team (He is the only coach post WWII to quit on the team as opposed to being let go....I know Warmath retired, but honestly)
5) He compiled a losing record both overall 10-12 and in conference play 7-10.
Refute this case
Can't argue with any of those points. He's went 1-4 in his last 5 games with Minnesota. It's far from a certainty that he would have turned Minnesota. He had a knack of knowing where he could and couldn't win. He
quit during the season on both the New York Jets and Minnesota and after season at South Carolina. He had losing records at all three places. Ironically if you believe Sid, it is far from a certainty that he would have turned it around here. Remember how the original excuse was that he could never win here because of lack of support.
All that said he
wasn't the worst coach here, just the most insidious and venal person to coach here.
Other Lou
highlights usually not mentioned by The Music Man himself, Sid or ESPN:
New York Jets:Holtz's lone foray into the professional ranks consisted of one season with the New York Jets in 1976. He resigned with one game remaining in the season after going 3–10.[2]
Arkansas:Holtz was dismissed following a 6–5 campaign in 1983. At the time, Athletic Director Frank Broyles stated that Holtz had resigned because he was "tired and burned out", and was not fired.[7] Broyles testified 20 years later that he had
fired Holtz because he was losing the fan base with things he said and did.[8] Holtz confirmed that he had been fired, but that Broyles never gave him a reason.
Minnesota: the NCAA placed Minnesota on two years probation for 17 rule violations, two of which were committed by Holtz during his tenure.
Notre Dame: following an investigation in 1999, the NCAA placed Notre Dame on two-years probation for extra benefits provided by a representative of the university to football players and one instance of academic fraud. The NCAA found that Holtz and members of his staff learned of the violations but failed to make appropriate inquiry or to take prompt action, finding Holtz's efforts "inadequate."
South Carolina: In 2005, the NCAA imposed three years probation and reductions in two scholarships on the program for 10 admitted violations under Holtz, five of which were found to be major. The violations involved improper tutoring and off-season workouts, as well as a lack of institutional control. No games were forfeited, and no television or postseason ban was imposed. Holtz issued a statement after the sanctions were announced stating, "There was no money involved. No athletes were paid. There were no recruiting inducements. No cars. No jobs offered. No ticket scandal."[19][20]
On November 18, 2004, Holtz announced that he would retire at the end of the season. On November 21, 2004, the South Carolina-Clemson brawl took place during Holtz's last regular season game.[21] Instead of ending his career at a post-season bowl game, which was expected, the two universities announced that each would penalize their respective football programs for their unsportsmanlike conduct by declining any bowl game invitations.[21] At his last press conference as South Carolina's coach, Holtz said it was ironic that he and former Ohio State coach Woody Hayes both would be remembered for "getting into a fight at the Clemson game". Holtz also alluded to his assistance in recruiting his successor, Steve Spurrier.[21] Despite Holtz's success in turning the program around, some sportwriters have suggested that these accomplishments were overshadowed by his overall losing record and his history of NCAA infractions during his tenure.[22] Thus, Holtz's legacy at South Carolina is a mixed one that continues to be debated by fans and journalists alike.
