Called (with Fr. Mike Schmitz): "Called to Form the Young w/ Fr. Mike Schmitz and Coach Lou Holtz"
Date: September 13, 2025
Host: Fr. Mike Schmitz (Ascension)
Guest: Coach Lou Holtz
Episode Overview
This episode delves into the crisis—and the opportunity—of forming faith-filled, resilient, and selfless young people. Legendary football coach, author, and Catholic leader Lou Holtz joins Fr. Mike Schmitz for a candid, wisdom-packed discussion about what it means to shape the next generation, both on and off the field. With decades of mentoring athletes—and as a husband and father—Holtz shares practical principles, powerful stories, and timeless advice rooted in faith and experience. The aim: to inspire listeners to see service as invitation, not obligation.
Key Discussion Points & Insights
The Mission of Holtz’s Heroes Foundation
[02:50]
- Began in 2008 after Coach Holtz's Hall of Fame induction.
- Founded by former players to support Notre Dame athletes’ families, especially those who have lost a parent.
- Provides scholarships, runs food banks, and supports bereaved families—emphasizing legacy and shared pride over social events.
- “We want the children to have a pride in the fact that their family is very, very special, even though their father isn’t there to provide the right leadership.” (Holtz, [03:42])
Coaching as Formation: Life Lessons Over Victories
[05:51]
- Coaching is viewed as a vocation for forming character, not just winning games.
- Central message: “Life’s a matter of choices. Wherever you are, good or bad, are because of choices you make…So we try to teach athletes… to make good choices and put peer pressure on them, because choices have consequences.” (Holtz, [05:54])
- Being “significant” is about helping others succeed, which outlasts personal success.
Building a Culture of Leadership & Responsibility
[07:49]
- Four phases of team growth:
- Learn to compete (fundamentals)
- Learn to win (attention to details)
- Learn to handle winning (humility and team-first mindset)
- Championship level: Peer-driven standards (“the players take charge of the culture”)
- Introduces his timeless “Three Rules”:
- Do what’s right.
- Do everything to the best of your ability.
- Show people you care.
- "You're never going to meet anybody again that doesn't need a smile, a kind word and encouragement." (Holtz, [09:37])
- Culture is sustained when these rules become the group’s lived reality—not just the coach’s expectation.
Principles in Practice: The Value of Simple, Enduring Rules
[12:12]
- These rules, Holtz insists, are enough and have stood the test of time in his life, with family and players.
- “When you follow those three rules, your self-confidence is going to skyrocket…But if you violate those three rules, then you have a chance to sit down with them and say, ‘Jim, I don't believe you're doing the best you can…’” (Holtz, [12:19])
- Critique should focus on performance, not person: “Never criticize the performer, but we have an obligation to criticize the performance.” (Holtz, [13:17])
- Fr. Mike expands: “That’s what God's mercy is. God's mercy is the love that we deserve the least but need the most.” (Fr. Mike, [13:24])
Fostering Selflessness: Learning to Care for Others
[14:43]
- Holtz: Difficulty in shifting mindsets from “what’s in it for me” to caring about others often comes from lack of self-confidence.
- “When we feel bad, we try to pull other people down so that we feel better by comparison. And that's what's wrong where we cross criticize everybody if we forget that people need a smile, kind word and encouragement.” (Holtz, [14:55])
- Military service shaped Holtz’s coaching and philosophy. Shared responsibility and sacrifice for others are central values.
- “You want to fail, you have the right to fail, Father. But nobody has the right to cause other people to fail.” ([17:13])
The Power of Responsibility and Teamwork
[20:09]
- Discusses simple but powerful post-practice rituals: players doing sprints as a team, held accountable for every detail—instilling the idea that everyone’s actions impact the group.
- “Once they understood that it was important for them to do their role because it affected the entire group…and if they didn't, the entire group was going to suffer.” (Holtz, [20:26])
Faith as Foundation—Personal and Professional
[22:05]
- Raised in a devout Catholic family; Catholic education instilled discipline and a sense of higher purpose.
- Expresses gratitude for upbringing and Catholic community.
- Prayer and Mass remain central:
- “My Grandma Holt…went to church every single day. She went to mass 7 o’clock…” (Holtz, [22:15])
- “Understand that we’re here for a larger purpose, that God put us here for a reason. Just be the best we can be and treat people as you’d like to be treated.” ([23:27])
Identity Beyond Achievement
[25:25]
- Fr. Mike notes student-athletes often struggle with identity after their sports careers end.
- Holtz: Many players—and professionals—collapse when their identity is tied up in performance or status. True identity is in who you are, not just what you do.
- “I was a football coach, but more important than that, as a father, as a husband, as an individual…” ([25:28])
On Parenting, Correction, and Passing on Faith
[26:37]
- Holtz: Parents are the “coaches” of the family; their job is to teach and set standards.
- “Just teach them how to make good choices... There are a lot of coaches in this world…that weren’t at Notre Dame…but God bless, how fortunate we were to be in a profession where we could influence other people.” ([26:44])
- Fr. Mike: Formation should focus on values, not just outward achievement. Rebellion against standards (mass, athletics, etc.) is often misunderstood.
Perseverance, Suffering, and Marriage
[29:17]
- Holtz on marriage and enduring hardship:
- "If you aren't as close to God as you once were, I wonder which one of you moved." ([29:21])
- Shares the story of losing his home to fire, and encouraging his wife to grieve, but also to move forward:
- “The Lord put eyes in front of our head rather than back so we can see where we’re going rather than where we’ve been.” ([30:47])
- “We have memories in our heart, not in an item.” ([31:38])
- Endures grief for his late wife with gratitude, focusing on the legacy of love.
- Advice to fathers: “Make sure your children know how much you love your mother. I never said a negative word to my wife or about my wife in front of our children.” ([37:31])
Integrating Faith into Leadership
[33:22]
- Holtz describes the freedom and importance of expressing faith as a leader, especially at Notre Dame, including covering a proverb each day in pre-season.
- “Proverbs teaches you how to get along with fellow people; parables teach you how to get along with God.” ([35:11])
- “Don’t ever run to run away from something, but run to something.” ([34:35])
- On giving advice: prefers to share opinions and experiences, letting others choose their path. ([35:52])
Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments
- “Life’s a matter of choices. Wherever you are, good or bad, are because of choices you make… Whatever we are, are because of choices we made along the line.”
— Lou Holtz ([05:54]; [06:52]) - “If you aren’t as close to God as you once were, I wonder which one of you moved.”
— Lou Holtz ([29:21]) - “Never criticize the performer, but we have an obligation to criticize the performance. And remember this, when people need love and understanding the most is usually when they deserve it the least.”
— Lou Holtz ([13:17]) - “You can fool me, you can fool the people on TV… but you can’t fool yourself.”
— Lou Holtz ([12:39]) - “Show people you care. You’re never going to meet anybody again that doesn’t need a smile, a kind word and encouragement.”
— Lou Holtz ([09:44]) - “My wife, 59 years, I lost her five years ago. But now the grief is starting to turn to gratitude. You think of all the good times we had together.”
— Lou Holtz ([36:44]) - Fr. Mike: “God’s mercy is the love that we deserve the least but need the most.” ([13:24])
- Coach’s Final Advice:
"If someone came to you and said, 'I want to be the hands and feet of Jesus but have no idea where to start, what would you tell them?'
'First thing, get down on your knees and ask God to guide you. If you really want God’s gift in your life, just ask him and accept it and open up your heart for it.'”
— Lou Holtz ([39:32])
Timestamps for Key Segments
- [02:50] – Holtz’s Heroes Foundation: Origins and mission
- [05:51] – The role of a coach in forming character
- [07:49] – Four levels of culture and the “Three Rules”
- [12:12] – Why the three rules matter and self-respect
- [14:43] – Overcoming selfishness and the role of confidence
- [18:02] – How military service shaped Holtz’s philosophy
- [20:09] – Accountability and team rituals that teach responsibility
- [22:05] – Catholic upbringing’s influence and enduring faith
- [25:25] – Athletes’ identity crises and the search for meaning
- [29:17] – Marriage, hardship, and enduring love
- [33:22] – Faith in leadership and team life at Notre Dame
- [34:35] – Advice for navigating new environments and faith communities
- [36:33] – On aging, gratitude, and cherishing family
- [39:30] – Coach Holtz’s advice for those who want to serve but feel lost
Final Takeaways
- Success is less about accolades and more about helping others and making good choices.
- Simple rules—do what’s right, do your best, care for others—are powerful guides for life and leadership.
- Faith is not a shield from hardship, but a foundation to endure it gracefully.
- The best legacy is not trophies or wealth, but character, faith, and love imparted to others.