SOUTH BEND, Ind. -- Sad news in the Notre Dame football world tonight as former head football coach and national champion Lou Holtz has entered hospice care, according to a source close to the family.
The 89-year-old coached the Irish for 10 years, including the 1988 national championship season.
The Notre Dame and sports communities are sharing their prayers and well wishes online for Lou Holtz as he enters hospice care at age 89.
Holtz's legacy goes beyond the action on the field.
Fans see it every time the Irish walk from the locker room to the field with the famous 'Play Like A Champion Today' sign, which he had installed during his first season with the Irish.
Augie's Locker Room owner Jim "Augie" Augustine recalls the aura of the legendary Notre Dame coach.
"The love of his players, every one of them, he was rough and he was a very serious coach, and he got angry sometimes, but at the same time, he would grab them, hug them, and let them know it was okay," said Jim "Augie" Augustine, owner of Augie's Locker Room.
Augustine met Holtz on multiple occasions.
When asked about the legacy of the former coach, he said it's far more than just wins and losses.
"I think it would be not so much the coaching, but just some of the narratives, some of the ideas that he has presented as it's about faith, love, God, country, Notre Dame, that's what I think about when I see coach Holtz"
Holtz made his impact felt at other universities besides Notre Dame.
Before the gridiron matchup between the Irish and Arkansas in late September of last year, one lifelong South Bend resident finally got his chance to sit down and chat with him.
"I've never gotten to take a picture with him, and he goes really, and as soon it was over, after he gave his speech, he sat me down with him and I was able to speak with Lou for 15, 20 minutes and it was great, he looked a little weak, but he was great, he was wonderful," said Dan Murrow, South Bend resident.
Holtz was never shy about his love for Notre Dame, the school where he won his only national championship.
"The fact that he said he's going to be buried here, he loves South Bend, he was an ambassador for Notre Dame, the city of South Bend, it's just everything about him, his personality, his love for the game, motivating young men and women."