Holtz Sounds Note of Guarded Optimism

Two key words keep cropping up in the vocabulary of new Notre Dame football Coach Lou Holtz: Realism and anticipation.

Realism is good for insurance, anticipation keeps everyone motivated.

Preparing for spring practice at South Bend, Holtz is being put under the same media microscope that Gerry Faust and all the other former Irish coaches have had to endure.

Holtz already has one advantage over Faust; he is much more adept at dealing with the press and sweet talking them with his clever wit and down home way of talking.

But his guarded assessment of the Irish is a carryover from the waning days of the Faust regime.

“Normally you hear people say freshmen won’t make it here, but I can tell you right now that we may be looking at several for our team this fall,” Holtz said. “I think we have to be realisitic about what we have to deal with here.”

But for every reference to realism there seems to follow a sense of great anticipation for Holtz and fans alike. The five-year Faust tenure is a thing of the past now and there is renewed hope Holtz can bring the Irish back to the forefront.

“I’m obviously thrilled and delighted to have a chance to be here,” Holtz said. “I couldn’t wait to get started and even though our schedule is going to be one of the toughest in the nation, I can’t wait for the fall.”

Holtz recalls his first meeting with his squad was a sunrise session last winter in South Bend at 6:15 a.m--earlier than most players are used to getting up. He told them the same things he is telling the media, that he is realistic that there is a big job ahead if Notre Dame is to get back into the top 10 but he is looking forward to it with great anticipation

Reality has always been the hallmark of the Holtz philosophy. He is cautious about what he has returning from last year’s team, but he won’t criticize what Faust did or what Faust left him.

Part of the reason Holtz is probably extra cautious now is the difficult Notre Dame schedule that lies ahead, plus the loss of some key personnel.

The usual tough teams are there, including Penn State, Alabama, USC, Michigan State and Navy.

Holtz, who came to Notre Dame after coaching the Minnesotra Gophers and Arkansas Razorbacks, always has been a keen student of the history of the game. People expected big things from Faust and never got them. The expectations were too high.

By toning down what is expected--particularly in his first year at Notre Dame--Holtz may be able to avoid the same traps that eventually doomed Faust. By insisting how thrilled he is to be there, he can satisfy the Subway Alumni who demand a Faust-like, “Gee whiz, I’m glad to be coaching at Notre Dame” type of philosophy.