Lou Holtz appears to be back.
Someone alert Ryan Day.
Last week, the old Notre-Dame The coach renewed his “friendship” with Day with a jab in a quote tweet from ESPN’s “The Pat McAfee Show.” Holtz also appeared to announce his intention to be present for Monday’s CFP Championship Game against Ohio State.
“If Notre Dame doesn’t win, it’s because we want to preserve Ryan Day’s job,” Holtz said on (formerly Twitter). “Originally, I was going to attend the match in spirit, but now I will also drag my body.”
If Notre Dame doesn’t win, it’s because we want to preserve Ryan Day’s job.
Initially, I had to attend the match in spirit, but now I will also train my body. https://t.co/VF6WOuNzhB
– Lou Holtz (@CoachLouHoltz88) January 15, 2025
Holtz’s feud with Day began during an appearance he made on “The Pat McAfee Show” the day before last year’s game between Notre Dame and Ohio State.
Interviewed by Ty Schmidt, one of Pat McAfee’s co-hosts who posed as Holtz, the now 88-year-old coach took shots at Ohio State and Ryan Day. That photo was an extra thought for Holtz responding to Schmidt’s question about whether the Irish’s 2023 roster reminded him in any way of his 1988 championship roster at Notre Dame.
“Defensively, our defensive line is better. Look at Coach Day. I coached at Ohio State under Woody Hayes. We won the national championship when I was there. I’m proud of that.” Holtz said. “However, he lost twice to Alabama, Georgia, Clemson and Michigan. Everyone who beats him does so because they are more physical than Ohio State. I think Notre Dame will take the same approach .”
Notre Dame, of course, lost that game to Ohio State last season in South Bend. Seeming to be on their way to victory, after Sam Hartman threw a touchdown to give the Irish a 14–10 lead, the Notre Dame defense gave up a 15-play, 65-yard touchdown drive in the final 25 minutes of the game to lose 17-14.
In her postgame interview with NBC’s Kathryn Tappen, it didn’t take long for Day to call out Holtz and his comments.
“I would like to know where (former Notre Dame coach) Lou Holtz is right now. What he said about our team, I can’t believe it,” Day said.
In a separate article on X Wednesday, Holtz picked the Irish to win on Monday. If that happens, it would be the first national championship for Notre Dame since 1988, under Holtz’s leadership. In his prediction, Holtz pointed to Notre Dame’s culture under Marcus Freeman for what will help them come out on top.
“I believe the University of Notre Dame will come out on top in this football game. Not because we have the best football team, but I think we have the best culture. Culture will beat talent every time.” , Holtz said Wednesday.
He added: “We have the best defense in the country. Ohio State has a great defense but I don’t think it’s as good as the University of Notre Dame. Our secondary is absolutely outstanding.”
Ohio State has the talent, but Notre Dame has the heart, culture and defense to win this game.
Stay patient, run the football and trust the process.
Notre Dame wins a close match – by 3.
Remember that we are Our Lady and they are not! pic.twitter.com/uDKng78jNe
– Lou Holtz (@CoachLouHoltz88) January 15, 2025
Notre Dame and Ohio State will tip off at 7:30 p.m. ET on Monday, January 20 in the College Football Playoff championship game at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta. The Irish are currently 8.5 point underdogs entering Monday’s match, according to at BetMGM.
This article was originally published on South Bend Tribune: Lou Holtz takes shot at Ohio State’s Ryan Day, picks Notre Dame to win CFP
