4 for 40 – In Honor of Coach Holtz

Dear Holtz’s Heroes Family,

It’s been 40 years since Coach Holtz was named the Head Football Coach at the University of Notre Dame and led his first team in 1986. He made a promise to Notre Dame that he would lead us to a national championship. He also told us that if we gave him four years, he would give us forty.

He kept that promise.

As I sat in the Basilica of the Sacred Heart at his Mass of Christian Burial, surrounded by teammates and so many lives touched by Coach, I couldn’t help but reflect on his words: “God didn’t put us on this earth to be ordinary.”

I thought about how his belief transformed a student manager into a four-star general.
I thought about how he helped open doors for a player to serve in the Secret Service, protecting multiple presidents.
I thought about the young boy who called into the Coach Holtz show and eventually earned the chance to play for him as a walk-on.
I thought about our kicker who once practiced in the parking lot and helped lead us to a national championship and is now a cardiologist.
I thought about the children of our teammates who stood in line at his visitation, honoring the man who helped shape their fathers.
I thought about the player from the rough side of Chicago who, through Coach’s belief, went on to build a dorm on campus.

And I thought about how Coach Holtz’s belief in each of us led to the creation of Holtz’s Heroes Foundation, an organization committed to saving lives, fighting hunger, and inspiring the next generation through education and opportunity.

Coach never stopped caring. Coach always reminded us that when a teammate passes, we assign someone to that family to make sure they always know how special their father was.

Now, it’s our turn.

It is our duty to ensure the world continues to know how special Coach Holtz was through our trust, love, and commitment to one another and to our communities.

I encourage each of you to reach out to the Holtz family and share your stories of how Coach changed your life.

I also ask you to support Holtz’s Heroes Foundation, so that this mission continues long after Coach is enjoying the eternal banquet with Christ.

Come back for the Holtz’s Heroes Reunion. Attend the Irish Legends Golf Classic. Get involved.

We need you now more than ever as we carry forward the legacy of Coach Holtz.

Thank you, Coach. We will carry you with us forever.

4 for 40

Love, Trust, Commitment

Reggie Brooks

Holtz’s Heroes Foundation