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Holtz Won’t Coach Minnesota in Independence Bowl Game

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Lou Holtz will not coach Minnesota’s football team in the Independence Bowl on Dec. 21 so that he can devote full time to his new job as Notre Dame’s coach.

Minnesota Athletic Director Paul Giel said Tuesday that Holtz will be relieved of his duties immediately and that the Gophers’ assistant coaches will prepare the team for the game with Clemson at Shreveport, La.

Holtz had three years left on a five-year contract when he decided to leave for Notre Dame, succeeding Gerry Faust, who resigned.

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“We know that the Independence Bowl committee was counting on Lou Holtz, but we remain very excited about the game,” Giel said.

Holtz can’t ask any of his staff from Minnesota to join him at Notre Dame until after the bowl game, Giel said.

In a related development, it was reported by the St. Paul Pioneer Press and Dispatch that Maryland Coach Bobby Ross has been in Minneapolis to discuss the vacated coaching job.

It was also reported that Giel has contacted Maryland Athletic Director Dick Dull about the availability of the Terrapins’ coach.

John Gutekunst, Minnesota’s defensive coordinator, who is also a candidate for the job, confirmed to the Associated Press that Ross has been in Minneapolis.

Ross was a leading candidate for the Minnesota job in 1983 before he withdrew his name from consideration. Holtz took the job after his resignation was accepted by Arkansas.

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