Southern Exposure Keynote Speaker and Football Legend Brings Message of Motivation

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Southern Exposure keynote speaker and football legend brings message of motivation

February 28, 2013

Lou Holtz, one of the most accomplished men in the history of college football, will be the keynote speaker at the Southeast Produce Council’s 10th annual Southern Exposure trade show in Orlando, FL, Feb. 28-March 2.

Coach Holtz piled up a career record of 249-132-7 and won a NCAA National Championship with Notre Dame in 1988.

He is the only coach in college history to take six different schools to post-season bowl games and also the

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Lou Holtz.only coach to lead four different schools to a top 20 ranking in the polls.

But Coach Holtz might be even better known these days as a game-day analyst for ESPN college football, a role he has held since 2005.

“I’m excited about having him as our speaker and apparently other people are as well — we’ve got a waiting list for the keynote luncheon, we can’t fit any more into this huge hall because we’ll have a fire hazard,” said SPC President Andrew Scott.

“I’m a big sports nut and I’ve always followed him,” he continued. “It’ll be fun introducing him, I might even throw a little ribbing in there because I’m a Florida State fan. But it’s an honor to have him. I’ve heard him before and he’s an excellent speaker.”

Louis Leo Holtz was born in West Virginia in 1937 and grew up in East Liverpool, OH. He played football at Kent State University until an injury ended his career — and launched a coach.

He began his coaching career as a graduate assistant in 1960 at Iowa, where he received his Master’s degree. After several stops as an assistant, he became the head coach at The College of William & Mary (1969–1971) and then North Carolina State University (1972–1975).

After a year in the pro ranks, where he led the New York Jets to a 3-10 record in 1976, he returned to the college ranks at the University of Arkansas (1977–1983), the University of Minnesota (1984–1985) and the University of Notre Dame (1986–1996).

He left coaching and spent two years as an analyst with CBS Sports before coming out of retirement to spend six more seasons at the University of South Carolina (1999–2004).

Coach Holtz’s 1988 Notre Dame team went 12–0 with a victory in the Fiesta Bowl and was the consensus national champion.

Coach Holtz has authored nine books, including three New York Times Best-Sellers, and co-wrote one other.

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He also produced a trio of popular motivational videos and is a much sought after speaker who has built a reputation as a motivator.