I’m just devastated today.
So many people have had the pleasure of meeting Lou - in airports, at conferences, etc. The stories are universally great - people alway cite his kindness, humility and humor.
I don’t have a Lou story, having never met him. His first year as head coach was my senior year at ND. He actually came to my dorm to give a talk, if you can believe that. Of course, we were all smitten. I will never forget seeing him on the Stepan basketball courts during Bookstore Basketball. Tim Brown was on his team and they were playing a team that featured Ricky Watters. Think about that - a pickup basketball game that included Lou Holtz, Tim Brown and Ricky Watters.
Share your Lou story, please.
I'm sure I could look it up. But why ruin the magic.
I think it was the day his stature was dedicated. It was also during the days when he and Mark May used to go tete-de-tete on ESPN.
He was willingly taking pictures with many folks and my nieces and nephew were in line. When their turn came up, he recognized a friend across the room and said "I'll be right back." After he finished, he came back and my brother called out to his son, Mark, to be ready. Lou commented "I'm not so sure you should use that name around here." And he then took the most amazing picture with them with his patented smile.
He was gracious and very accommodating to these strangers considering the circumstances.
I asked him if there was anything any in football coaching would help me with my golf coaching. I don't remember his answer, unfortunately.
Also saw him once at the Plymouth Holiday Inn where the team stayed Friday nights before home games and where my mom worked, and also at the Indianapolis airport where we shared a plane to South Bend. An older guy came up to him, a current ND undergrad at his age (50s), and told Lou that Lou inspired him to return to college. Coach was extremely gracious and genuinely happy for the man.
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Link: https://x.com/JeromeBettis36/status/2029371040346869792
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