ESPN, Lou Holtz parting ways after 11 years
ESPN has parted ways with college football analyst Lou Holtz.
After more than a decade with the network, ESPN and Lou Holtz have mutually agreed to part ways, according to Sports Illustrated’s Richard Deitsch.
“We appreciate his contributions and wish him all the best in the future.”
Holtz was hired as an analyst at ESPN in 2004 where he worked prominently with Rece Davis and Mark May on their studio coverage on Saturday College Football Final. His debates with May fueled the show, but their act had grown stale over the years and the two had become caricatures of themselves.
An ESPN spokesperson told Deitsch in an email, “Lou brought a champion’s perspective and a legacy of accomplishment to our coverage along with his distinctive style and humor. We appreciate his contributions and wish him all the best in the future.”
A new voice will be a change, but a welcome one to refresh the viewing audience that has alternatives for postgame coverage, especially with Fox Sports 1 and CBS Sports Network vying for a larger share of the audience.
In addition to his studio work, he was also a regular contributor to SportsCenter and on ESPN Radio. With the departure of Holtz and Davis also leaving the show to take over for Chris Fowler as the host of College GameDay, the look of the College Football Final will take on a radical look than what we’ve come to know over the last decade.
As for what’s next for Holtz, his agent Sandy Montag told Deitsch, “Lou enjoyed his time and friendships made at ESPN and looks forward to other opportunities in college football.”
He brought the perspective of a coach who compiled a career record of 249–132–7 in 33 seasons at William & Mary, NC State, Arkansas, Minnesota, Notre Dame and South Carolina. He spent 11 seasons at Notre Dame where he won the 1988 national championship and finished the season ranked inside the top-four on four occasions.
Holtz, 78, also spent one season with the New York Jets in the NFL where he had a 3-10 record in his lone season.
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