Lou Holtz regretted his comments about Ohio State before Saturday’s last-second win over Notre Dame.
Appearing on The Pat McAfee Show at South Bend on Friday, the former head coach predicted a Fighting Irish victory over the Buckeyes. He cited Notre Dame’s superior physicality, which clearly irked Ryan Day.
After pulling out a 17-14 victory behind a game-winning Chip Trayanum touchdown with one second left, Day called out Holtz in a passionate post-game interview.
During an interview on Don’t @ Me with Dan Dakich, Holtz said he apologized to Notre Dame head coach Marcus Freeman while doubling down on his comments.
“I called Coach Freeman (on Monday) and apologized because I put them in a bad position, maybe,” Holtz said, via Eleven Warriors. “I don’t feel bad about saying it because I believe it, and Notre Dame was a better football team.”
While Lou Holtz has apologized to Marcus Freeman, Holtz stands behind his comments about Ryan Day and Ohio State: “I don’t feel bad for saying it because I believe it.” https://t.co/eyVBqSNLEr
— Eleven Warriors (@11W) September 26, 2023
Holtz noted that Ohio State failed to convert two fourth downs and struggled to run the ball beyond a 61-yard gain from TreVeyon Henderson. Yet he realized that message may have been better made internally than for Day and the Buckeyes to hear.
“If I was coaching, I would have said it,” Holtz claimed. “I would have went to our team and said, ‘I think you’re better. You’re physical, you’re more talented. Coach Day doesn’t believe so. Go prove him wrong and prove me right.’ But when I say something, and I can’t control the outcome of the game, that was unfair to Coach Freeman.”
Holtz understood why Day addressed his comments after the dramatic win. However, he took another shot at the coach by claiming Day didn’t want to talk about upcoming games against Penn State and Michigan.
“I honestly felt that Notre Dame was a better football team and more physical, and I am sorry that Coach Day was offended by it. I hope he goes on and has a wonderful year. I don’t think they will be a great football team. I really don’t. I felt Notre Dame (could have) won the football game.”
Holtz called Freeman a “tremendous coach” and “very polite guy” who didn’t mention the remarks. The 86-year-old was caught off guard by his interview drawing so much attention.
“I hadn’t done TV in a few years,” he said. “I had no idea that it would be that widely received. I really didn’t. I had no idea Mr. McAfee’s show was so widely watched. But I made (the comments), and that’s it. You can’t do anything about it. You can’t change it.”