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*CRH384* 04/28/2026 7:26:29 AM CRH384
State of Arkansas 1
95th General Assembly 2
Fiscal Session, 2026 SMR 6 3
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By: Senator Hester 5
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SENATE MEMORIAL RESOLUTION 8
IN RESPECTFUL MEMORY OF LEGENDARY COLLEGE FOOTBALL 9
COACH LOUIS LEO "LOU" HOLTZ FOR HIS SERVICE TO THE 10
UNIVERSITY OF ARKANSAS AT FAYETTEVILLE, THE STATE OF 11
ARKANSAS, AND THE GAME OF FOOTBALL. 12
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Subtitle 15
IN RESPECTFUL MEMORY OF LEGENDARY 16
COLLEGE FOOTBALL COACH LOUIS LEO "LOU" 17
HOLTZ FOR HIS SERVICE TO THE UNIVERSITY 18
OF ARKANSAS AT FAYETTEVILLE, THE STATE 19
OF ARKANSAS, AND THE GAME OF FOOTBALL. 20
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WHEREAS, legendary college football coach Louis Leo “Lou” Holtz, 22
formerly associated with the University of Arkansas Razorbacks, passed away 23
on March 4, 2026, at the age of eighty-nine (89); and 24
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WHEREAS, Coach Holtz was born January 6, 1937, in Follansbee, West 26
Virginia, the son of a bus driver, and rose from humble beginnings to become 27
one of the most successful and motivational figures in the history of 28
American college football; and 29
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WHEREAS, after a collegiate playing career and early coaching stops, 31
including a brief and challenging stint as head coach of the New York Jets of 32
the National Football League, Coach Holtz arrived at the University of 33
Arkansas at Fayetteville in 1977 as the successor to legendary athletic 34
director and former coach Frank Broyles; and 35
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WHEREAS, during his seven (7) seasons as head football coach of the 1
Arkansas Razorbacks from 1977 to 1983, Coach Holtz compiled an outstanding 2
record of sixty (60) wins, twenty-one (21) losses, and two (2) ties, leading 3
the Razorbacks to six (6) consecutive bowl games and four (4) Top 10 final 4
rankings; and 5
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WHEREAS, in his first season, the 1977 Razorbacks achieved an eleven 7
and one (11–1) record and defeated the heavily favored number two (2) ranked 8
Oklahoma Sooners thirty-one to six (31–6) in the 1978 Orange Bowl, one of the 9
most memorable upsets in Arkansas football history; and 10
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WHEREAS, Coach Holtz’s team shared the Southwest Conference 12
championship in 1979 with the Houston Cougars; and 13
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WHEREAS, Coach Holtz consistently emphasized discipline, fundamentals, 15
and mental toughness and instilled a winning culture that elevated the 16
profile of Razorback football across the nation; and 17
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WHEREAS, Coach Holtz was known for his fiery motivational style, his 19
famous quotes such as “Do what’s right, do the best you can, and show people 20
you care,” and his ability to get the absolute maximum effort from his 21
players; and 22
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WHEREAS, after leaving Arkansas, Coach Holtz went on to coach at the 24
University of Minnesota; the University of Notre Dame du Lac, where he led 25
the Fighting Irish to the 1988 national championship with a perfect twelve 26
and zero (12–0) season; and the University of South Carolina, becoming the 27
only coach in major college football history to lead six (6) different 28
programs to bowl games and four (4) different programs to final Top 20 29
rankings; and 30
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WHEREAS, Coach Holtz was inducted into the College Football Hall of 32
Fame in 2008 and the Arkansas Sports Hall of Fame in 1983 and received the 33
Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2020 in recognition of his lifetime 34
achievements and positive influence on American sports and culture; and 35
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WHEREAS, Coach Holtz was a devoted husband to his late wife Beth Barcus 1
Holtz, who he was married to from 1961–2020; a loving father to four (4) 2
children, Luanne, Lou "Skip", who also became a successful football coach, 3
Kevin, and Elizabeth; and a proud grandfather; and 4
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WHEREAS, throughout his life and career, Coach Holtz remained a friend 6
to the Razorbacks, often speaking fondly of his time in Fayetteville and 7
never picking against the Razorbacks; and 8
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WHEREAS, Coach Holtz’s impact on the University of Arkansas and the 10
State of Arkansas extended far beyond the football field, inspiring 11
generations of student-athletes, fans, and Arkansans with his emphasis on 12
perseverance, character, and excellence; and 13
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WHEREAS, Coach Holtz was a man of deep and abiding faith in Jesus 15
Christ, which he credited as the foundation of his coaching philosophy and 16
the source of his strength, character, and commitment to serving others 17
throughout his life; and 18
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WHEREAS, former players, colleagues, and fans across Arkansas and the 20
nation have expressed profound gratitude for the leadership, discipline, and 21
unforgettable memories he provided during his tenure as head coach of the 22
Razorbacks, 23
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NOW THEREFORE, 25
BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE OF THE NINETY-FIFTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE 26
STATE OF ARKANSAS: 27
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THAT the Senate remember and honor legendary college football coach Lou 29
Holtz for his outstanding contributions to the University of Arkansas 30
Razorbacks, the State of Arkansas, and the sport of football. 31
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BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED THAT upon adoption, a copy of this resolution be 33
presented to the family of Coach Lou Holtz by the Secretary of the Senate. 34
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