East Carolina coach Louis “Skip” Holtz brings a set of impressive credentials into his January 2 bowl appearance against Kentucky. He also brings a pretty substantial football pedigree into the game. Holtz has led the Pirates to three straight winning seasons and three bowl appearances. Not bad for a coach that took over a program that was just 3-22 prior to him taking over.
Under Holtz, the Pirates finished 7-6 in a rebuilding 2006, 8-5 in 2007 and 9-4 this season, including impressive wins over nationally ranked opponents early in the season, earning a national ranking of 14 in week three of the season. All this while navigating one injury after another, Holtz used 44 different starters this season.
Holtz is the 44-year old son of famed coach Lou Holtz, serving as his assistant for six years at South Carolina. Prior to joining his father at USC, Holtz was head coach at the UCONN, and guided the Huskies to four top-25 ranked seasons, an unprecedented accomplishment at that school.
In addition to the three bowl appearances as head coach at East Carolina, Holtz has served as an assistant coach to teams playing in nine other bowl games.
Holtz’ head coaching record is 63-44 in nine overall seasons.