Holtz’s hire was a game-changer for South Carolina. And the press conference was epic

He had been coming to the University of South Carolina for years. Each time the Gamecocks sought a head football coach, his name bubbled to the top of every speculation list.

Remember the whispers from those “in the know”?

“He’s already bought a house on Lake Murray!”

Then, finally, Lou Holtz arrived.

On a sun-splashed December afternoon in 1998, he said hello to the Carolina faithful in one of the most memorable press conferences ever.

Memorable for the site: Outdoors, with the speakers facing the East stands at Williams-Brice Stadium.

Memorable for the size: Rather than the usual cadre of media and a few get-me-in-the-picture dignitaries on hand, upwards to 5,000 fans turned out.

Memorable for the parade: Holtz and director of athletics Mike McGee made the across-the-field trek from the stadium’s northwest corner toward the podium amid this realization: “It’s really true.”

Memorable for the reception: Shouts of “L-o-o-u! L-o-o-u! L-o-o-u!” punctuated the afternoon.

Memorable for the potential: Instant credibility. That’s LOU HOLTZ and he’s Carolina’s coach!

Weave the tapestry together and the memorable scene a little more than 27 years ago remains among the most important in Carolina athletics. Holtz and his teams forged some of the football program’s finest hours, and he later passed the baton to another giant, Steve Spurrier.

Moments from that day in 1998 come flooding back with the news that Holtz died Wednesday at the age of 89. His contributions to the Gamecocks’ history should never be forgotten.

Press conference or pep rally?

Yes, Holtz arrived at age 62, a time many coaches are winding down their careers. Yes, he came with some warts, which detractors were quick to point out. Yes, he created some warts at USC, too. And, yes, he stayed at least one season too long and finished on a down note rather than riding into the sunset the wave of euphoria created by back-to-back bowl triumphs over Ohio State.

But he’s the coach the Gamecocks needed at that time, and he showed that at his introduction, which, upon reflection, more nearly resembled a pep rally than a press conference.

South Carolina fans needed his jolt of energy, his contagious enthusiasm, the promise of hope he provided. The players needed his organization and demands for accountability.

Always quick with a quip, he joked that day about being as embarrassed as the school officials were about how low his salary would be and soon had the fans mesmerized. And regarding the task faced after a 1-10 season, he pointed out that Rome wasn’t built in a day because he wasn’t the foreman.

As it turned out, he needed a year to turn the program around. The Gamecocks lost every game his first season. But the seeds planted in that 0-11 slog — discipline, fundamentals, attention to detail — would soon bear fruit.

A couple of things he said that day still resonate. He talked about his job and said, “basically, I’m a teacher,” and how often is that forgotten.

And prior to the press conference/pep rally, he encountered some players shooting pool and wondered aloud, “Are they playing pool at Tennessee today?” Cues returned to the rack and an exodus to the weight room ensued. A teaching moment: Always work to improve.

Looking back, without that December day in 1998, the Carolina Nation would not have the special wins over Georgia, Erik Kimrey’s throwing the fade, the Outback Bowls and so many more. And maybe there’s no Spurrier and his triumphs to celebrate.

Holtz right man, right time for Gamecocks

Mike McGee’s persistence led to Holtz’s coming to Carolina on that day in 1998. The coach turned the job down three times before accepting.

“Lou obviously gave up a lot to coach here,” McGee said later. “Without Lou, Steve Spurrier would not be here. Lou built the foundation. The other thing Lou did, he helped in the recruitment of Steve.”

So much emerged from that press conference, especially the hope that Holtz would make the Gamecocks competitive or more in their relatively new home, the Southeastern Conference.

His credentials said the obvious. He could coach. He could teach. He could win. He left a trail of success from William and Mary to North Carolina State to Arkansas to Minnesota to Notre Dame.

That record would be no surprise to some of the Gamecocks who produced the school’s only football conference championship, the 1969 Atlantic Coast Conference title. Those players remembered the fiery young assistant coach with the gift that suggested an unlimited future. “How the team came together is interesting,” Ken Wheat told The State in a few years ago during a celebration for that championship team. “Lou Holtz recruited a lot of us. He would tell us, ‘We’re going to the Rose Bowl. We’d say, ‘We’re not eligible.’ He would say, ‘We’re going anyway.’”

And Richie Moye remembered, “Holtz is the one who discovered (Fred) Zeigler on the scout team. Fred was small like Holtz and wore those glasses with lenses as thick as a Pepsi bottle. Holtz convinced (head coach Paul) Dietzel to give Fred a shot with the varsity, and the rest is history.”

Fans remembered, too, and each change in coaches brought the rumors — “He’s already bought a house on Lake Murray!” — that he would return.

Finally, he did. The right man at the right time.

This story was originally published March 5, 2026 at 1:35 PM.