Former players share stories of Lou Holtz before his burial

SOUTH BEND, Ind. -- From leading Notre Dame to a national championship in 1988 to building a culture rooted in discipline and accountability, Holtz’s impact stretched far beyond the field.

This weekend, former players returned to campus to remember the coach who shaped their lives both during and after their time in South Bend.

Former Irish cornerback Shawn Wooden, a team captain in 1995, said Holtz’s influence followed players long after they left Notre Dame. Wooden recalled receiving a handwritten note from Holtz when he became an NFL starter — a message he kept in his locker throughout the season.

“I would keep it in my locker that whole season because I wasn’t supposed to be there. I wasn’t supposed to make it,” Wooden said. “The odds were against me, but that’s what coach Holtz was about. He made you forget about the odds."

For Mike Kovaleski — the captain of Holtz’s first Notre Dame team — the relationship extended well beyond football. Kovaleski said Holtz was someone players could call during the most difficult moments of their lives.

When Kovaleski went through a divorce, one of his first calls was to his former coach.

“Lou was fantastic,” Kovaleski said. “Every time you talked to him, he would always, always ask, ‘What is it that I can do for you? Anything, and you let me know.’ And he meant it.”

Kovaleski said Holtz built his program on faith, family and accountability while maintaining a humility that resonated with players. The Hall of Fame coach was known for joking about his height, his lisp and even his own playing career — traits that helped earn the respect of everyone around him.

Quarterback Steve Beuerlein, who led Holtz’s first Notre Dame team, said even one season under the legendary coach left a lasting impression.

“If you had one conversation with him or 100 conversations with him, every one of those conversations you left feeling like you learned something or that everything was going to be all right,” Beuerlein said.

Holtz’s impact also helped shape players’ lives after football. Corny Southall, a safety on Notre Dame’s 1988 national championship team, said Holtz personally made a call that helped him land a career with the U.S. Secret Service.

Southall said the lessons he learned from Holtz — including dedication, trust and doing the right thing — continue to guide his family today.

“I’ve instilled that into my three children’s and if you were to grab one and say, can you give me three of the six pillars that coach Holtz taught your father they would give at least three if not all six,” Southall said.

With dozens of former players returning to South Bend for the weekend’s services, Holtz’s influence remains clear across generations of Fighting Irish athletes.

His legacy, built on championships, mentorship and character, continues to shape the Notre Dame community long after his final game on the sideline.