When Notre Dame plays Ohio State in the championship game, Ryan Day and Lou Holtz’s hatchet remains unburied.

When the University of Notre Dame faces the Ohio State University in a championship game, the event will inevitably carry with it a sense of tension far beyond the usual fervor of college football. This is not simply because of the prestige of the two programs or the stakes of a national title. Rather, it is because of a long-standing feud between Ohio State’s head coach, Ryan Day, and Notre Dame’s former legendary coach, Lou Holtz. Their bitter exchange over the years, particularly a feud stemming from Holtz’s criticisms of Day, casts a shadow over any matchup between these two powerhouses.

The story of their animosity traces back to the 2023 season, when Ryan Day’s Ohio State team narrowly defeated Notre Dame in a game that was both emotionally charged and historically significant. The aftermath of that game, however, was overshadowed by a comment made by Lou Holtz, which lit the fuse for a confrontation that neither man would let go of.

The Origins of the Feud

To understand the depth of this rivalry, it’s essential to explore the background of the figures involved. Lou Holtz is a figure synonymous with Notre Dame football. As the head coach of the Fighting Irish from 1986 to 1996, Holtz led Notre Dame to a national championship in 1988 and became a cultural icon in South Bend. Holtz’s sharp wit and sometimes controversial comments earned him both admiration and criticism, but his loyalty to Notre Dame was never questioned.

Ryan Day, by contrast, is a more recent figure on the college football scene. Appointed as Ohio State’s head coach in 2019 after Urban Meyer’s retirement, Day quickly made his mark with an impressive record. Under Day, Ohio State has been a perennial contender for the national championship, and his ability to recruit and develop talent has made him a respected, though sometimes polarizing, figure in the world of college football. His competitive spirit is evident, and his passion for his team is palpable.

The clash between these two personalities began after a game between Ohio State and Notre Dame on September 23, 2023. Ohio State emerged victorious, but the win came with considerable controversy and frustration for Notre Dame fans. The Fighting Irish had managed to keep the game close, but a late-game touchdown by Ohio State sealed the deal. The loss was disappointing, particularly given that Notre Dame had been in position to win until the very end.

In the aftermath of that game, Lou Holtz made headlines for his scathing remarks about Ryan Day. Holtz, always a vocal critic of what he perceived as a lack of toughness in certain aspects of modern college football, didn’t hold back. He suggested that Day’s coaching philosophy was one that lacked grit and that Ohio State’s team, despite its talent, was not built with the same mental fortitude that Notre Dame possessed.

Lou Holtz’s Comments

Holtz’s criticism wasn’t just directed at the game itself; it was an attack on Ryan Day’s leadership. He went as far as to claim that Ohio State’s program, under Day, was overly reliant on its offensive firepower and lacked the toughness necessary for championship success. Holtz, known for his bluntness, suggested that Ohio State’s inability to consistently show physicality on both sides of the ball would eventually come back to haunt them in high-pressure situations.

For Day, this was a personal affront. Despite Holtz’s long-standing influence in college football and his legendary status at Notre Dame, Day wasn’t about to let such an attack go unanswered. Ryan Day’s response was quick, fiery, and direct. In his press conferences and interviews following the outburst from Holtz, Day made it clear that he didn’t appreciate the criticism and that, contrary to what Holtz believed, his team had demonstrated the necessary grit to win at the highest levels. Day’s frustration was palpable, and he vowed to prove Holtz wrong.

The verbal exchange quickly became a hot topic in the media, fueling debate about the role of toughness in modern college football and the contrasting coaching philosophies of Day and Holtz. On one side, Holtz’s old-school mentality clashed with Day’s more modern, high-powered offensive approach. On the other, Day’s belief in the evolution of the game and the importance of explosive offensive play seemed at odds with Holtz’s insistence on physicality and old-school grit.

The National Championship Context

As the 2024 season progressed, both teams—Notre Dame and Ohio State—remained highly competitive. With each victory, the narrative of a potential rematch in the college football playoff grew stronger. For Ryan Day and Lou Holtz, this looming championship game became not just a chance to compete for a title but an opportunity to settle their personal and philosophical differences once and for all.

As the championship game drew closer, the media hype surrounding the rivalry between these two teams reached a fever pitch. Analysts, fans, and pundits all speculated about what the outcome would mean for the coaches and their respective legacies. Would Ryan Day’s offensive prowess be enough to overpower Notre Dame’s tough, physical style of play? Or would Lou Holtz’s critique of Day’s coaching philosophy prove prophetic, with Ohio State falling short yet again in a game requiring more than just talent?

The stakes of the game became even more symbolic. For Day, this was an opportunity to silence his critics, not just Holtz but anyone who doubted his approach to coaching and his team’s resilience. For Holtz, it was a chance to prove that his vision of football—one built on grit, discipline, and toughness—was still the winning formula, even in the age of high-powered offenses.

Personalities and Philosophies on Display

On the day of the championship game, the clash between the two teams was not just a battle on the field but a battle of ideologies. Ryan Day’s Ohio State Buckeyes, led by a high-flying offense featuring an elite quarterback and fast, dynamic playmakers, represented the modern approach to college football. They relied on speed, precision, and tactical execution to overwhelm opponents, often leveraging their offensive firepower to dominate. But questions about their physicality lingered, especially after the earlier criticisms from Holtz.

Notre Dame, on the other hand, embodied Holtz’s vision of football—one built on a powerful, run-heavy offense and a defense that prided itself on suffocating opponents with toughness. The Fighting Irish were a team that emphasized physicality, discipline, and a strong, relentless will to win. Their defense, particularly their defensive line, was widely regarded as one of the most physically dominant units in college football, while their offensive line consistently imposed its will in the trenches.

The game itself, as expected, was a hard-fought contest, with both teams leaving it all on the field. The tension between the philosophies of the two programs was evident from the opening whistle, as Ohio State’s fast-paced attack tested Notre Dame’s defense, while the Irish worked to establish their powerful ground game and wear down the Buckeyes.