I actually enjoy Lou Holtz on ESPN, I really do. I think he's funny, and up until now, I thought he had knowledge of current teams. Apparently I was dead wrong. I'll give you one guess as to who Holtz has picked to win the National Championship....

Yeah, Lou....one tough game against USC. Sure they are returning every player on offense, but that was the same offense could barely beat Navy.

Now that Dr. Lou has conquered the Tokyo Bowl, there's not a whole lot left to accomplish. There is one thing left on Lou's plate, and according to the Orlando Sentinel, Holtz might be changing jobs sooner rather than later. Yes Lou Holtz is rumored to be running for congress....

After earning nearly 250 wins on the college gridiron, former Notre Dame Coach Lou Holtz is eyeing another competition -- as a candidate for Congress in Central Florida.

The famed skipper and ESPN analyst met with top Republicans here last week and said he was interested in challenging first-term U.S. Rep. Suzanne Kosmas, D-New Smyrna Beach, according to four GOP officials who did not speak on-the-record because they don't know if Holtz actually will run.

Holtz could not be reached for comment. An associate said he was flying to the West Coast for a meeting. Holtz has been one of ESPN's premier college-football analysts since 2005.

I don't know what I would do without Lou in my life. Heck, I may just have to make this a political site, and start watching CSPAN everyday. Good luck, Lou, but I hope there's a way for you to pull off both jobs.

Ex-Notre Dame Coach Lou Holtz eyeing Central Florida congressional run (Orlando Sentinel)

Back when the U.S. National Football Team upended Japan at the 2007 IFAF World Championship, few people even realized there was such a competition. Well Lou Holtz isn't just a regular person or coach, so the former Notre Dame coach decided to challenge the gutsy Japanese team to a game. Their national team versus a collection of Notre Dame alums.

Now you would think this wouldn't fair with names like Tim Brown, Jerome Bettis, Reggie Brooks, Raghib Ismail and Rick Mirer, but none of those "youngins" are involved in the contest. Well Reggie Brooks and Tim Brown are coaches, but that doesn't count. No, Holtz thinks he can beat the Japanese with elder statesmen like, QB Tony Rice (41), WR Bobby Brown (32) and RB Ray Zellars (36). Via the AP....

TOKYO – Lou Holtz expects his players to uphold the Notre Dame football tradition when they face Japan in the Notre Dame Japan Bowl.

Holtz will coach a selection of alumni from the Notre Dame college team against Japan's national American football team and expects a tough game from the hosts.

"Their football has improved tremendously," Holtz said Friday at Tokyo Dome. "They've looked at film, they understand the game ... if we have an advantage it's in the lines, but they are quicker and in better shape so I'm a little worried about the second half."

The Fighting Irish alumni had only six practice sessions to prepare for the game and Holtz said avoiding injuries will be a key challenge.

"It's been a zoo," said Holtz. "When you get older players its tough but we're ready to go. It's Notre Dame football and we'll play the way Notre Dame is supposed to play."

If Lou Holtz gets out a samurai sword for his motivational speech, someone HAS to get tape of that to me IMMEDIATELY! The kickoff is this Saturday night at 4pm (3am in the States), but unfortunately it won't be aired live. However, you can see the game at 10pm, on August 10th, on CBS' College Sports Network. Check your local listings, and good luck, Lou!

Forget the fact that it was 60 degrees last week, and will be 60 something come Saturday, Lou Holtz is cold today! And you know what that means? Global Warming is a flat out myth! Lou was on Sean Hannity's Fox News show recently, and that was exactly his logic when the discussed the topic....

Now, I'm no expert, but I think that theory might be shot down in the scientific community. I still can't help but love the old guy though. No matter his inane ramblings!

Update: Thanks to this clip, you're one of the worst people in the world, Doctor Lou!



Hannity, Pfotenhauer, Lou Holtz suggest cold weather proves there is no global warming (Media Matters)

How's this for random? Former Notre Dame Football Coach, and current ESPN analyst Lou Holtz, is trying to put together a collection of Irish alums to take on the Japanese National Football team. Not only does he say that he has over 100 former players interested, he even has a recruiting video! From Global Football via With Leather....

Holtz said that over 100 former Notre Dame players volunteered to make the trip, so he and his coaching staff will hold tryouts to narrow the team down for the trip. The final roster will be announced in April. Holtz listed several players who were sure to make the team, including quarterback Tony Rice, running back Travis Thomas and center Tim Ruddy.

I know who Tony Rice is, but ummm.....he's 41 years old! We know Japan isn't exactly a powerhouse in Football, but I would hope they could beat a team of middle aged men! This should be fun. I'll see you on Saturday, July 25th for first ever live-blog of the Japan Bowl!

Notre Dame Legends To Face Japan (With Leather)
Lou Holtz to Coach ‘Fighting Irish Legends’ at Notre Dame Japan Bowl 2009 in Tokyo (Global Football)

There's nothing overwhelming crazy or funny about this video, but I just happened to notice Lou Holtz on Regis and Kelly this morning, and thought I'd share the clip. Here's Lou hanging out with the morning hosts earlier today talking about the Hall of Fame and positivity!

Again, not all that humorous, but any time someone calls Lou Holtz "uplifting"....I'm going to share the video.

I honestly thought that the combination of Doctor Lou and Bobby Knight would bring on the apocalypse, but unfortunately it just brought on more Lou-inspired angst. In his latest installment, Doc Lou chastises Bobby Knight for a long question and then goes into a 10-minute long "Thought of the Week". Enjoy!

Ahh yes, Doctor Lou. I'm going to miss you when the season is over, but I have a feeling you'll be around for another month or so (pleaaaaase, ESPN!).

Dr. Lou would like to serve some food, and give you some advice on this wonderful holiday....

Man, Lou was sure stingy with that turkey, wasn't he? Hope you all a great day.

I say every single week that I don't want use Dr. Lou's segment as a crutch for a post, but the guy just continues to deliver. Here is your weekly segment complete with a call from both Steve Spurrier and Les Miles, as well as a weekly thought that should keep you strong through Sunday....

Lou
Uploaded by bsap11

I'll be running around all day today, but I'll be back with one more post and a small announcement later in the day.

It's been a few weeks since we've had a Doctor Lou sighting on this here website, but when ESPN makes Mark Wahlberg one of the callers, you know I'm going to post it. Here's Lou giving advice to Mark and others this week....

I seriously might start using Lou's thought of the week as motivation on this blog. It's so poignant and also so inspiring. So prepare for two times as much usage of the word "seemingly". Oh and say hello to your mother for me, okay?

I keep forgetting to tune in for Tuesday night Football on ESPN, but I know now that it's a must watch every single week. Last night Rece Davis, Mark May and Lou Holtz were on the call of the Houston-Marshall game and witnessed one of the worst Sports injuries ever.

For some reason, a douchebag employee at Marshall decided to park a random cart right behind the endzone and Houston Receiver Patrick Edwards ran straight into the thing. You don't notice it at first, but you see just how bad the injury is during the replay....

Well how'd that sit with your lunch? I love how Lou is wondering WHAT is in the carts, and not WHY the damn things are there in the first place.

I honestly felt bad for Jemele Hill when she got suspended for her Hitler comment. It wasn't because I thought she shouldn't have been suspended, but rather the way various Bostonians and certain radio shows treated her in the following weeks. Well, now in the wake of yet another Hitler reference made by an employee, not only does she have to live with here original mistake, but she now has to deal with a possible double standard by her employer.

Hill actually spoke to A.J. from Deadspin today, and here were her thoughts on Holtz, Hitler and ESPN's policies....

The last couple days I've been inundated with calls and e-mails because of the Lou Holtz controversy. He made an inappropriate Hitler reference. I made an inappropriate Hitler reference. We both apologized, but only I was suspended.

A lot has been written about this. Many have said that ESPN treated me unfairly. The 64,000 question: How do I really feel?

My initial answer is a story, or rather, a moment. A couple years ago, I was visiting the Poynter Institute, one of the foremost journalism think tanks in the country, and I sat in on a session taught by one of my favorite columnist and people, the Washington Post's Sally Jenkins.

A student asked her if she ever got upset when other writers rewarded — particularly if she knew they weren't as good. And Sally said — and I'm paraphrasing here — that she always prided herself on keeping her eyes on her own career.

That's my answer. That's how I feel.

I'm not trying to paint Jemele as a victim in any way, but I can't imagine how frustrating it was for her to read about the non-suspension yesterday. That however, is far and away the right way to handle any situation, and after all of this nonsense, Hill actually comes out looking like she used the suspension productively.

As far as ESPN is concerned, it had been awhile since they had come across as looking hypocritical, but with these last two stories today, you have to wonder what in the hell they were thinking in both instances. No matter how you look at it, the overwhelming sentiment is that punishment for a crime was different for a young black woman, than an old white man. The ultimate lesson though, is that everyone needs to just avoid "Hitler references" altogether.

Jemele Hill Just Taking This Whole Lou Holtz-Hitler Backlash in Stride (Deadspin)

It wasn't too long ago that writer Jemele Hill was being suspended by ESPN for referencing Hitler in an article, but now they have another employee in hot water for referencing the German leader. That person, Lou Holtz, will actually not be disciplined at all according to College Football Talk.

Holtz, who when referring to Rich Rodriguez said "Ya know, Hitler was a great leader too," issued an on-air apology and apparently that was enough for the brass at ESPN....

A source at ESPN tells me that the Worldwide Leader does not plan to discipline college football analyst Lou Holtz for saying, “Hitler was a great leader, too.”

Per the source, ESPN considers Holtz’s on-air apology to be sufficient.

Of course, it’s still possible that ESPN will reconsider, especially if it gets complaints from advertisers. But for now, it appears that Holtz will not be suspended.

“Last night while trying to make a point about leadership, I made an unfortunate reference. It was a mistake and I sincerely apologize. At the time, I tried to clarify my remarks. I’m not sure I adequately did so. I appreciate your understanding.”- Lou Holtz

I just really don't understand ESPN's suspension policy. There has always appeared to be a double standards of sorts, and I think this just proves the thoughts that most people have had about the network for awhile. Just because he's a kooky old man, doesn't mean that Holtz shouldn't be forced to take time off as well, and I'd be upset if I was Jemele Hill. Both were making just a bad attempt at a joke, but only one is getting suspended. You can draw your own conclusions there.

ESPN Plans No Discipline For Holtz Hitler Comment (College Football Talk)

I was going to make the title "Lou Holtz Temporarily Loses His Mind", but I'm pretty sure it's officially gone at this point. Holtz was doing the late night College Football show with Rece Davis and Mark May late Saturday night/early Sunday, when they decided to have a little debate. Holtz had Tim Tebow, May had Texas QB Colt McCoy and Davis was moderator. Watch as Lou, who thinks they've gone to commercial, flips out after Davis gave the win to May following the debate. Via CFT...

That was just amazingly awkward and somehow still hilarious! The guy never ceases to amaze me. I think I'm going to coin a new term in this spot and that is the "Trainwreckability Scale" (which has no affiliation with Simmons' "Unintentional Comedy Scale"). Right now Lou Holtz's trainwreckabiltiy is sitting at an easy 95 out of 100. After his pep talk this week, he could shoot past 100.

Oh and the other thing is.....he was right. Colt McCoy was not a great QB last year and there were no stipulations about the debate being just for this year or just for one game.

ESPN's Lou Holtz Apologize For Anti-McCoy Tirade (College Football Talk)
Lou Holtz Loves Tim Tebow "DAMNIT!!!" (BSO)

I cannot emphasize how funny this clip is. The big news is obviously that Holtz says he'll be doing a pep talk next week, hence the title above, but he also takes the time to send some trash talk in the direction of Longhorn Fans. Pay attention around the :55 mark....

"All of those orange fans up there. I would say to our players, they wear orange so they can cheer for their team. They'll wear the same orange outfit tomorrow to go hunting. And they'll wear the same orange outfit the last five days of the week in order to pick up trash."- Lou Holtz

I don't know if he came up with that on his own, but that's just about the funniest thing I've heard. Can't wait for the pep talk, and remember people you have the power to choose. The power....IS YOURS!

Man, I'm still scrambling because the storm knocked my power out this morning, but I wanted to share the latest Doctor Lou. For some reason Lou broke out his bible this week, but that wasn't nearly the best part. Make sure you watch until Holtz gives this week's "closing thought" and message to the Doc Lou haters....

"If you enjoy Doctor Lou, I hope you will show your support by driving during the day with your lights on. And if you're unhappy with Doctor Lou, please show your displeasure by driving with your lights off at night. Have a great week."- Lou Holtz

Too funny. I honestly thought they'd have run out of ideas and quotes for Dr. Lou by now, but that's obviously not the case. Sorry again for the delay this morning, and let's all pretend we're on the West Coast for the rest of the day.

I'm seriously not going to give you these every week (okay, maybe I am), but they just keep getting better and better. Here's Doctor Lou talking about his new statue and how to prepare your team, but the highlight is the good Doctor laying into Ohio State....

Man, he got really fired up there didn't he? I love how he flips out for a good minute or so and then slides calmly into his thought of the week. That guy is seamless in his transitions.

The guests for this week's show are just fine. You've got Pete Carroll and James Laurinaitis, but everything else is just really strange. There's talk of a bullet proof vests, the week old BYU-Washington controversy and a plan to take scoring out of College Football. Yes, scoring altogether....

I knew it wouldn't be long before Lou started running out of ideas and started talking crazy. By week seven you should expect Holtz in that old school Notre Dame starter jacket, talking about a play in the 80s and reciting that "Footprints" poem. I can't wait!

I know everyone was extremely disappointed when news broke that the Lou Holtz' Pep Talks had been scratched, but I'm throwing my hat in the ring for the Dr. Lou segment right now. Anytime you can get Lou taking messages from Bobby Bowden AND Regis Philbin....you've got a winner.

"Remember, when people need love and understanding the most, is usually when they deserve it the least."

It just doesn't get any better than that and those are words to live by my friends. And the, "wasn't a good honeymoon," line at the end was priceless. I love me some Lou.

I'm still upset that ESPN isn't bringing back the Lou Holtz Pep Talk, but this is a good enough replacement. I give you Dr. Lou! The doctor will see you now!!!

I really have no words. Lou Holtz is just a sideshow for the "Leader" now, but as long as he's having fun with it....who cares right? And everyone remember....

"You should have four things in life. Something to do, someone to love, something to hope for and something to believe in."- Lou Holtz