Holtz Tries to Dispel Rumors

Lou Holtz, choosing his words carefully, tried Friday to dispel rumors that he is about to resign as Notre Dame coach, perhaps as soon as this weekend.

Holtz, who turns 60 in January, addressed the issue at his weekly Quarterback Club Luncheon meeting in South Bend, Ind., where the Irish are preparing for today’s game against Pittsburgh.

“For those of you in the media, you have two choices,” Holtz said. “You can either cover the news or create the news. If you’re interested in covering the news, I am the football coach at Notre Dame. I have not resigned.”

CBS Radio reported that Holtz will inform his players and staff of his decision to resign Sunday and an announcement could be made as early as “Tuesday, no later than Wednesday.”

Notre Dame is denying that report. “Every rumor I’ve heard is wrong,” Athletic Director Mike Wadsworth told the Associated Press.

There has been speculation about Holtz’s future since his five-year contract expired last year. In December 1995, Holtz emerged from a meeting with Wadsworth and Rev. William Beauchamp with an open-ended understanding that Holtz would remain coach for as long as he wanted.

Notre Dame spokesman John Heisler said Friday that should Holtz retire, it wouldn’t be a case of the university forcing him out.

“If something happens here, it’s because Lou Holtz is assessing his situation, not because anything has changed with the university’s position,” Heisler said.

Holtz, in his 11th season at Notre Dame, has compiled a record of 98-29-2, winning the national championship in 1988. Notre Dame is 6-2 this season, with three games remaining, against Pittsburgh, Rutgers and USC. If the Irish win all three games, they have a good chance of earning an alliance bowl bid, probably the Fiesta.

Holtz is seven victories shy of tying Knute Rockne’s school record of 105 wins, but officials scoff at any notion that the university does not want to see Rockne’s record broken.

Heisler also said Holtz’s health was not an issue. Holtz underwent neck surgery on Sept. 12, 1995.

Bob Davie, Notre Dame’s defensive coordinator, directed the Irish to a 41-0 victory over Vanderbilt in Holtz’s absence and is often mentioned as a possible Holtz successor. But any short list would be led by Northwestern Coach Gary Barnett.