Notre Dame Gives Holtz 5-Year Extension

Lou Holtz signed a five-year contract extension Thursday, ending speculation that the Notre Dame football coach might leave for the Minnesota Vikings.

Holtz feared that the continuous speculation would hurt recruiting but had been unable to squelch rumors that he might take the NFL job.

“We determined that the best way to do that was with this contract,” said the Rev. E. William Beauchamp, university vice president for athletics.

Although Holtz has said repeatedly he intended to stay at Notre Dame, talk flared anew when the Vikings announced Wednesday that Jerry Burns would retire and team President Roger Headrick said he would approach Holtz about the job.

Terms of the contract extension were not disclosed.