Coach Lou Holtz jokes with offensive lineman Na’shan Goddard before the team picture was taken on media day on Aug. 8, 2003.. When Holtz was told to join the other coaches on the top row, Holtz told the photographer, “Goddard ask me to sit here.”
TIM DOMINICK
The State file photo
Lou Holtz, 89, died on Wednesday. He coached six seasons at South Carolina, with 2000 and 2001 being the breakout years of success. Below are a few of our favorite images from the Holtz era at USC.
A jubilant Lou Holtz (center) leaves the plane and is welcomed by USC Athletic Director Mike McGee (left) on Dec. 14, 1998, before he was officially introduced as the new head coach of the USC Gamecocks. The former Notre Dame coach, which took Fighting Irish to a national championship in 1988, is 216-96-7 overall. Erik Campos File Photograph
Lou Holtz takes the field on Dec. 4, 1998, with USC Athletic Director Mike McGee before he was officially introduced as the new head coach of the USC Gamecocks Erik Campos File Photograph
USC head coach Lou Holtz directs his Gamecocks in their first springworkout on Saturday, March 20, 1999. Erik Campos File Photograph
Lou Holtz in first home game at Williams-Brice Stadium on Sept. 18, 1999, against East Carolina. File Photograph
Lou Holtz leads the team onto the field at Williams-Brice Stadium on Sept. 16, 2000, to play Eastern Michigan. Jason Clark File Photograph
USC head coach Lou Holtz wasn't happy with the way his team started the game against Tennessee at Neyland Stadium on Saturday, Oct. 27, 2001. Jason Clark File Photograph
Lauren Grimm, 6, of Aiken, sits on Lou Holtz's lap as he signs a poster for her. Holtz was at the University of South Carolina-Aiken Thursday, May 22, 2003, to promote Gamecock football. Jeffery Minnish File Photograph
Coach Lou Holtz jokes with offensive lineman Na'shan Goddard before the team picture was taken on media day on Aug. 8, 2003.. When Holtz was told to join the other coaches on the top row, Holtz told the photographer, "Goddard ask me to sit here." Tim Dominick File Photograph
As the theme to "2001" plays, University of South Carolina head coach Lou Holtz watches the crowd cheer before the Gamecocks go on to defeat Virginia 31-7 at Williams Brice Stadium on Saturday Sept. 6, 2003. Erick Campos File Photograph
USC coach Lou Holtz gets emotional during a game. File Photograph
USC head coach Lou Holtz gets his hair cut on Sept. 25, 2003, by barber Ed Barnes at Kings Row in Five Points. Erik Campos File Photograph
Clemson head coach Tommy Bowden (left) greets USC head coach Lou Holtz on the field during warmups on Nov. 22, 2003, prior to the start of the game at Williams-Brice Stadium. Erik Campos File Photograph
South Carolina football head coach Lou Holtz addresses the media atthe end-of-the-year press conference on Jan. 4, 2001 at Williams-Brice Stadium. Renee Ittner-McManus File Photograph
USC coach Lou Holtz waves to the crowd after coaching his gamecocks to a victory in the 2001 Outback Bowl at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Fla., on Jan. 1, 2001. USC beat Ohio State 24-7. Jason Clark File Photograph
South Carolina head coach Lou Holtz attempts to get control of his team during a brawl against Clemson onSa turday, Nov. 20, 2004 in Clemson, S.C. On the ground is Clemson's Justin Miller. (Travis Bell/SIDELINE CAROLINA) Travis Bell Travis Bell Photography
This story was originally published March 5, 2026 at 2:25 PM.
