From Head Coach to Head Coach Coach Lou Holtz met with Coach Marcus Freeman before the football season kicked off and shared his game plan as a National Championship coach.
The meeting between Coach Lou Holtz and Coach Marcus Freeman before the start of the football season was more than just a casual exchange of pleasantries. It was a passing of the torch, an exchange of wisdom, and a deep dive into the heart of what it takes to lead a football team to glory. Coach Holtz, a legend in the world of college football, had been through the highest of highs and the lowest of lows. His National Championship win with Notre Dame in 1988 was still a benchmark for excellence in the sport, and his insights were invaluable. For Coach Freeman, who was stepping into the position of head coach for the Fighting Irish with the pressure of continuing Notre Dame’s storied legacy, the opportunity to learn from Holtz was a once-in-a-lifetime experience.
As Freeman settled into the chair opposite Holtz’s desk, the elder coach’s eyes sparkled with a mix of respect and challenge. Holtz had always been known for his candidness and no-nonsense approach, traits that Freeman knew would make this conversation both educational and intense.
“So, Marcus,” Holtz began, leaning forward with a purposeful tone, “you’ve got the keys to the kingdom now. Notre Dame football isn’t just about X’s and O’s—it’s about culture, commitment, and consistency. Let me share with you the game plan that led us to the top. It’s about more than just the players on the field. It’s about developing the right mindset, the right foundation, and the right leadership to make everything else fall into place.”
Freeman nodded, absorbing every word. He had always admired Holtz’s ability to elevate programs, not only through his coaching but through the mentality he instilled in his players. Holtz’s philosophy was simple but powerful: build the right foundation, develop strong leadership, and make decisions that align with your values, not your ego.
“First things first, Marcus,” Holtz continued, “You have to have the right leadership. A head coach doesn’t just coach football; he has to be the embodiment of the program’s values. You set the tone. You establish the expectations. And those expectations, they need to be crystal clear to everyone on the team, from the star quarterback to the walk-on who might never see the field.”
Holtz paused for a moment, allowing the weight of his words to sink in. “I always told my players that I didn’t care how talented they were. I didn’t care if they were All-Americans or if they were making the travel squad for the first time. If they weren’t committed to the team, to each other, and to the process of improving every single day, they weren’t going to play. It’s that simple. You can’t tolerate anything less than commitment to the team’s collective success.”
For Freeman, this was a piece of advice he had heard before, but hearing it from Holtz, with the history to back it up, felt different. It was a reminder that leadership isn’t about micromanaging every detail. It’s about creating an environment where people want to succeed—not just for themselves but for the good of everyone around them.
“There’s a difference between leadership and management,” Holtz continued, “A manager keeps things running smoothly, but a leader inspires, pushes, and elevates those around him. Marcus, you’re in the leadership business now. You need to make the tough calls, even when the pressure’s on. Sometimes that means benching a star player, even if it’s uncomfortable. Sometimes it means having difficult conversations with assistants, players, or even alumni. But you can’t let the pressure get to you. Your leadership must be unwavering.”
Holtz’s words echoed in Freeman’s mind as the conversation shifted to the practical aspects of building a successful football program. “The next key piece,” Holtz explained, “is culture. It’s not just about recruiting five-star athletes or getting the best of the best. It’s about developing a culture of excellence. Excellence is contagious, but so is mediocrity. If you allow mediocrity to creep in, it will spread faster than you think. It’s your job to create an environment where excellence is the baseline. That’s not going to happen overnight, but you can’t back down from it.”
Coach Holtz emphasized that the culture of the team has to be driven by values that are non-negotiable. For him, those values included discipline, accountability, and resilience. Discipline meant showing up when you’re supposed to, doing what you say you’re going to do, and pushing through when things get tough. Accountability meant taking responsibility for one’s actions and decisions, both on and off the field. Resilience was about never backing down from adversity, learning from mistakes, and always fighting for that next yard, that next win.
“The culture you create will outlast any individual player,” Holtz said. “Players come and go, but the culture remains. Look at Notre Dame now—you’ve got a program that’s rich in tradition, but that doesn’t mean you can rest on your laurels. Every year is a new challenge. You’ve got to re-establish your identity, your culture, with every new team that walks into the locker room.”
Freeman had always respected the culture at Notre Dame—its legacy of toughness, integrity, and grit—but Holtz’s words reminded him that culture wasn’t something you could inherit; it was something you had to actively build and maintain.
“Then there’s recruiting,” Holtz said, a grin breaking through his otherwise serious demeanor. “Recruiting’s an art form. Don’t get me wrong, it’s important to bring in talent, but you can’t lose sight of the bigger picture. You need players who buy into your vision. You need players who understand what it takes to win—not just on the field, but in life. You need to recruit young men who will represent this program with class and integrity, not just on Saturday afternoons, but every day.”
Freeman knew the importance of recruiting top-tier talent, but hearing Holtz’s perspective on recruiting character first was a reminder that a coach’s job isn’t just about filling positions with the best physical players—it’s about creating a team where everyone is aligned in their goals and values. That alignment was essential for building a championship team.
“You’ve got to be patient with recruiting,” Holtz added. “The best players aren’t always the ones that shine right away. You’ve got to trust your instincts. The players you’re looking for are the ones who will leave it all on the field. The ones who want to be a part of something bigger than themselves. The ones who want to build a legacy.”
Holtz leaned back in his chair, his tone becoming more reflective. “It’s important to remember that as a coach, you have an incredible impact on the young men you work with. You’re not just shaping football players; you’re shaping people. You’re teaching them how to face challenges, how to handle failure, and how to succeed. You’re setting an example of what it means to be a man of character. And that, Marcus, is your real legacy. Wins and losses will fade, but the impact you have on the lives of your players will last a lifetime.”
Freeman could feel the gravity of the moment. It wasn’t just about leading a football team; it was about leading a group of young men through some of the most challenging moments of their lives. It was about helping them grow into better people, better leaders, and, ultimately, better football players.
“As you embark on this journey,” Holtz concluded, “don’t forget the most important lesson of all: Trust the process. You can’t shortcut it. You can’t fake it. Success doesn’t come overnight. It takes time, effort, and sacrifice. But if you stay true to your values, build a strong culture, lead with integrity, and never lose sight of the bigger picture, you’ll get where you need to go.”
Freeman sat quietly for a moment, letting the wisdom sink in. It was clear to him that Holtz wasn’t just offering advice; he was offering a blueprint for success, one built on hard work, dedication, and a relentless commitment to excellence. It was a roadmap that Freeman knew he would carry with him as he steered Notre Dame’s football program forward.
The two coaches shared a final handshake, and Freeman left the meeting feeling more confident than ever about the challenges ahead. Holtz’s words had instilled in him a renewed sense of purpose and a deeper understanding of what it meant to lead. It wasn’t just about football—it was about character, culture, and leaving a lasting legacy.
As Freeman walked out of the office, he felt a sense of clarity. The road to a National Championship wasn’t easy, but with the right leadership, the right culture, and the right mindset, anything was possible. Holtz had shown him the way, and Freeman was ready to take the next step in continuing the proud tradition of Notre Dame football.
