Lou Holtz Quotes

“The way you motivate a football team is to eliminate the unmotivated ones.”

“You've got to have great athletes to win, I don't care who the coach is. You can't win without good athletes but you can lose with them. This is where coaching makes the difference.”

“It's not my job to motivate players. They bring extraordinary motivation to our program. It's my job not to de-motivate them.”

“If you want to get a deal, negotiate with the teams yourself. Say, "I want this much, and no less, but I'll show up to camp on time." It doesn't seem that hard to me.”

“Motivation is simple. You eliminate those who are not motivated.”

“I just have an enthusiasm for life.”

“If he's got golf clubs in his truck or a camper in his driveway, I don't hire him.”

“In adversity, there is opportunity. Show me someone who has done something worthwhile, and I'll show you someone who has overcome adversity. I've never known anybody to achieve anything without overcoming adversity. Adversity is another way to measure the greatness of individuals. I never had a crisis that didn't make me stronger.”

“The best way to save face is not to use the lower half.”

“Give me a blackboard. I can stop anything on a blackboard.”

“If you burn your neighbors house down, it doesn't make your house look any better.”

“No matter how bad someone has it, there are others who have it worse. Remembering that makes life a lot easier and allows you to take pleasure in the blessings you have been given.”

“No matter what happens on the field, getting an education makes you a winner.”

“If you make a fist and hold it for two hours, you won't be able to pick up a glass because you'll be so weak. Let's stay loose. Let's have fun.”

“The team that's on defense first (in overtime) has the advantage because they know whether they need a touchdown a field goal or just a score.”

“It's good to be successful but it's great to be significant”

“People eyeing you as a potential leader tend to ask three questions: Are you committed? Do you care about me? Can I trust you?”

“Teamwork is the foundation of success. The three universal questions that an individual asks of his coach, player, employee, employer are: Can I trust you? Are you committed to excellence? And, do you care about me?”

“I look at athletes in all sports and try to picture what kind of football player they'd be, what position they'd play and so on.”

“Show me someone who has done something worthwhile, and I'll show you someone who has overcome adversity.”

“We were at a beach one summer, and I had a bathing suit on. My wife looked at me and said: 'Boy, you are skinny, aren't you?' I said: 'Honey, I'd like to remind you that it was minor defects like this that kept me from getting a better wife.'”

“Adversity is another way to measure the greatness of individuals. I never had a crisis that didn't make me stronger.”

“I don't think we can win every game. Just the next one.”

“When I work a game as an analyst, all I do is look at the game like a coach.”

“I do think coaches need to get away from the game more, though. It's good for them.”