What did Lou Holtz say about Ryan Day in 2023? Looking back at former CFB HC’s comments

Ohio State coach Ryan Day and Lou Holtz have not reconciled following their heated exchange in 2023. Day confirmed this on Sunday during media availability ahead of Ohio State's national championship matchup against Texas.

He responded with a "no" when asked if he had spoken with Holtz since their public dispute.

What did Lou Holtz say about Ryan Day?

The conflict began when Holtz appeared on the Pat McAfee Show before the September 2023 Ohio State-Notre Dame game. The former Notre Dame coach predicted a 10-point Fighting Irish victory, criticizing Day's record against top programs.

“Notre Dame wins by 10. I believe that in my heart. … Notre Dame is a better football team than Ohio State,” Holtz said at the time “And let me tell you why. We have the best offensive line in the country. Sam Hartman won’t even get his jersey dirty all year. He has time to throw the football. … We have great running backs. This team is averaging about 10 yards per carry. We have great receivers, so offensively, we’re set. Defensively, our defensive line’s better.

“You look at Coach Day — and I coached at Ohio State under Woody Hayes,” Holtz added. “We won the national championship when I was there. I’m proud of that. However, (Day) has lost to Alabama, Georgia, Clemson and Michigan twice. And everybody that beats him does so because they are more physical than Ohio State. And I think Notre Dame will take that same approach.”

The prediction backfired as Ohio State secured a 14-10 victory in South Bend with a dramatic last-second touchdown against a Notre Dame defense that had only 10 players on the field. Day seized the moment in his postgame interview to respond to Holtz.

“I’d like to know where Lou Holtz is right now,” Day said. “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’ll continue to be Ohio against the world,” he added. “But I’ll tell you what: I love those kids. We’ve got a tough team.”

Lou Holtz predicts a Fighting Irish national title victory despite acknowledging Ohio State's strength

Former Notre Dame coach Lou Holtz predicts a Fighting Irish national title victory despite acknowledging Ohio State's strength, according to his recent interview with The Columbus Dispatch's Rob Oller.

“When you look at it, Ohio State is the best team," Holtz said. "They have an explosive offense and their defensive coordinator (Jim Knowles) has done a tremendous job. They’re something like a nine-point favorite. However, in a one-game, winner-take-all, anything can happen. I like Notre Dame’s culture. They’re very physical, but they have to keep it close by forcing Ohio State’s offense off the field.”

Holtz emphasized that close games could pressure Ohio State, which typically wins by large margins.

“That puts pressure on Ohio State, which is used to winning and winning big,” Holtz added. “Ohio State is the better team, but I think Notre Dame finds a way to prevail. It’s going to take a big effort.”

The prediction comes after Ohio State's 28-14 Cotton Bowl victory over Texas, a game that remained tied entering the fourth quarter.