ATLANTA — It feels like Ryan Day might get to show certainly one of his largest critics incorrect in particular person.
Lou Holtz, the final coach to guide Notre Dame to a nationwide championship, is predicted to be in attendance Monday night time when Ohio State takes on the Irish at Mercedes-Benz Stadium.
There are, nonetheless, no plans for him to deal with Notre Dame forward of kickoff, a supply stated.
Holtz, 88, reignited their feud final week on X when he responded to a tweet questioning if he would attend the showdown.
“If Notre Dame doesn’t win, it’s because we want to preserve Ryan Day’s job. I was originally going to be at the game in spirit, but now I’ll be dragging my body along as well,” Holtz wrote.
Holtz additionally picked Notre Dame, an 8.5-point underdog, to win the sport outright.
“Ohio State has the talent, but Notre Dame has the heart, the culture, and the defense to win this game,” he wrote on the social media website. “Stay patient, run the football, and trust the process. Notre Dame wins a close one — by 3. Remember, we’re Notre Dame and they ain’t!”
Holtz and Day’s rivalry goes again to final season, previous to an Ohio State victory over Notre Dame on Sept. 23, 2023. Holtz was important of Day’s physique of labor and the dearth of physicality of the Buckeyes.
“You look at Coach Day — and I coached at Ohio State under Woody Hayes,” Holtz stated throughout an look on ESPN. “We won the national championship when I was there. I’m proud of that. However, he has lost to Alabama, Georgia, Clemson, Michigan twice. And everybody [that] beats him, does so because they are more physical than Ohio State. I think Notre Dame will take that same approach.”
After Ohio State’s win, Day went off on Holtz.
“I’d like to know where Lou Holtz is right now,” Day stated in an on-field interview with NBC. “What he said about our team, I cannot believe. This is a tough team right here. We’re proud to be from Ohio. It’s always been Ohio against the world, and it will continue to be Ohio against the world. But I’’ll tell you what: I love these kids. We’ve got a tough team.”
On media day for the nationwide championship recreation, Day was requested if the 2 had patched issues up, however stated the 2 haven’t talked since they exchanged verbal barbs. Perhaps they may meet up Monday night time.
Holtz not too long ago celebrated his 88th birthday with a giant get together down at Lake Nona Lodge in Orlando, Fla.
Among the many 150 friends had been many former gamers from Holtz’s 11 years teaching at Notre Dame. A number of of them had been a part of his Heroes Basis, which assists former student-athletes going through monetary, bodily, or psychological hardships. It additionally offers scholarship support to deserving youth.
Holtz is happy with the route of his old skool below coach Marcus Freeman, who led the Irish to the nationwide championship recreation by profitable 13 straight contests after a surprising upset towards Northern Illinois in Week 2.
“When [Freeman] got the job, within the first week, he flew down here and spent the whole day with me,” Holtz instructed 247Sports.com in Might of 2023. “We talked all about Notre Dame. I’m prepared to assist him in any method doable.
“He doesn’t need any help. He’s going in the right direction. But I want Notre Dame to always be successful, particularly with somebody who understands what Notre Dame is all about.”
