The 2025 CFP National Championship was a night filled with drama, excitement, and humor. While Ohio State emerged victorious, the real winner in the hearts of many fans was Ty Lou Holtz, whose resemblance to the legendary coach provided a much-needed dose of laughter
As college football continues to evolve, moments like these remind fans why they love the sport.
It’s not just about the games; it’s about the memories, the stories, and the characters—both real and imagined—that make college football truly special.
As time passes, the Holtz-Day rivalry will likely be remembered as a colorful chapter in college football history. It showcased the passion and intensity that define the sport while highlighting the personalities that make it so compelling.
For Ryan Day, the feud served as a turning point, pushing him to silence critics and deliver a national championship for Ohio State. For Lou Holtz, it was a testament to his enduring influence as a commentator and advocate for Notre Dame.
Ultimately, the rivalry between Holtz and Day exemplifies the drama and emotion that make college football a beloved sport.
It’s a reminder that, in the world of sports, rivalries aren’t just about wins and losses—they’re about pride, passion, and the stories that captivate fans for generations.
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Lou Holtz Doppelganger Steals the Spotlight at the 2025 CFP National Championship
College football fans were in for a surprise at the 2025 College Football Playoff (CFP) National Championship when a Lou Holtz doppelganger made an appearance at the Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta.1
As the Notre Dame Fighting Irish squared off against the Ohio State Buckeyes, the unexpected moment involving the Holtz lookalike provided some comic relief in an otherwise intense game.
Lou Holtz, the legendary Notre Dame head coach, is a household name in college football. Known for leading Notre Dame to its last national championship in 1988, his legacy with the Fighting Irish has remained iconic for decades.
Despite his retirement, Holtz continues to be revered by fans and players alike.
Holtz’s influence on the Notre Dame football program is immeasurable, and his personality, coupled with his wit and wisdom, has made him a beloved figure in the sport. At the 2025 CFP National Championship, Holtz’s presence—or rather, the presence of his doppelganger—brought his name back into the spotlight.
The Lou Holtz Show S2 Ep 1 | Tony Rice https://t.co/O1crmTE0Lf
— Lou Holtz (@CoachLouHoltz88) January 17, 2025
The Surprise Appearance of Ty Lou Holtz
The buzz began when ESPN commentator and media personality Pat McAfee, who was covering the championship game, spotted someone in the crowd who bore an uncanny resemblance to Lou Holtz.
The lookalike, later identified as Ty Lou Holtz, was dressed in Notre Dame gear and even carried himself with the same mannerisms as the real Holtz.
McAfee, never one to shy away from a quirky sideline moment, approached the doppelganger for an impromptu interview. The humorous exchange between McAfee and Ty Lou Holtz had the stadium erupting in laughter and left social media buzzing.
“Ty Lou Holtz,” as fans began calling him online, played along with the joke, embracing his unexpected moment of fame. The resemblance was so striking that some fans watching the game initially thought the real Lou Holtz was on the sidelines, supporting his beloved Fighting Irish.
Lou Holtz: Social Media Reactions
Laughter and Nostalgia
The college football community quickly took to social media to share their reactions to Ty Lou Holtz’s appearance.2
Many fans praised the lookalike for his spot-on impersonation of the Notre Dame coaching legend, while others joked about the unexpected comedic moment during such a high-stakes game.
One fan commented, “Uncanny impersonation. He even has the voice and the posture!” Another added, “They should get Lou and Ty together for a friendly chat—imagine the stories they’d share!”
While many embraced the humor of the situation, a few fans felt that the joke had run its course. “This was funny like maybe the first two times, but that’s it,” one user tweeted.
Still, the overwhelming sentiment was that the doppelganger brought a fun and lighthearted energy to the game, making an otherwise tense matchup even more memorable.
Notre Dame’s Championship Bid Falls Short
While Ty Lou Holtz entertained fans on the sidelines, the Notre Dame Fighting Irish faced a tough battle on the field. Entering the championship game as underdogs, the Fighting Irish had high hopes of capturing their first national title since the Holtz era.
Despite a valiant effort, Notre Dame struggled to keep pace with Ohio State’s high-powered offense. A missed field goal attempt late in the game, with the Fighting Irish trailing by 16 points, seemed to seal their fate.
Fans couldn’t help but comment on the irony of the situation. One fan joked, “Frauds be frauding,” referring to Notre Dame’s inability to capitalize on key scoring opportunities.
Another lamented, “We brought Ty Lou Holtz for luck, but it seems the real Holtz is the only one who can deliver championships!”
Lou Holtz and Ryan Day: Rivalry Renewed
Adding another layer to the night’s drama was the lingering tension between the real Lou Holtz and Ohio State head coach Ryan Day.3
The two had exchanged words earlier in the season after Holtz criticized Ohio State’s toughness in big games. Day fired back following the Buckeyes’ narrow victory over Notre Dame in September, defending his team’s resilience.
While the real Holtz was not directly involved in the championship game, his doppelganger’s presence served as a subtle reminder of the ongoing rivalry between the two programs.
For fans, it was a humorous way to revisit the war of words between Holtz and Day, with many joking that Ty Lou Holtz should have been on the sidelines for Notre Dame all season.
The Power of Nostalgia in College Football
Moments like Ty Lou Holtz’s appearance highlight the deep connection between college football and nostalgia. Fans cherish the history of the sport, and figures like Lou Holtz represent an era of greatness that many long to see return.
Notre Dame’s passionate fanbase continues to hold onto the hope that the program will return to its championship-winning ways. While the presence of a Lou Holtz lookalike may not have been enough to inspire a victory, it certainly reminded fans of the glory days when Holtz led the Fighting Irish to national prominence.
A Lighthearted Moment in a Serious Game
- The 2025 CFP National Championship will be remembered not only for Ohio State’s victory but also for the unexpected comedic relief provided by Ty Lou Holtz.
- His appearance underscored the unique charm of college football, where even the most high-stakes games can include moments of humor and levity.
- As the game concluded, fans took to social media to share their favorite moments of the night, and Ty Lou Holtz’s interview with Pat McAfee was consistently mentioned as one of the highlights.
- “The game was great, but Ty Lou Holtz stole the show!” one fan tweeted.
- For Notre Dame fans, Lou Holtz remains a symbol of excellence and success. His doppelganger’s unexpected appearance served as a reminder of the legacy he left behind and the standard he set for Fighting Irish football.
- While Ty Lou Holtz’s cameo was all in good fun, it also sparked conversations about Notre Dame’s future.
- Can the program recapture the magic of the Holtz era and return to the pinnacle of college football? Only time will tell, but one thing is certain: the memory of Lou Holtz’s impact on the sport will never fade.
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Lou Holtz’s Pre-Game Comments in 2023
The feud between Lou Holtz and Ryan Day began in September 2023, ahead of a high-stakes matchup between Ohio State and Notre Dame.
During an ESPN interview, Holtz, known for his outspoken nature and deep ties to Notre Dame, took a jab at Day’s coaching style.
Holtz criticized Ohio State’s perceived lack of physicality, citing Day’s record against top-tier programs.
“You look at Coach Day,” Holtz said, “and I coached at Ohio State under Woody Hayes. We won a national championship when I was there. I’m proud of that. However, he has lost to Alabama, Georgia, Clemson, and Michigan twice. Everybody beats him because they are more physical than Ohio State. I think Notre Dame will take the same approach.”
These remarks set the stage for a tense game between the two teams. For Day, the comments felt like a direct attack not only on his coaching but on the toughness and pride of his players.
Ohio State’s Gritty Victory Over Notre Dame
On September 23, 2023, Ohio State defeated Notre Dame in a nail-biting 17-14 victory. The Buckeyes showcased resilience and determination, silencing critics who doubted their toughness. The win was not just about securing a victory—it was a statement.
After the game, an emotional Ryan Day used his post-game press conference to respond to Holtz’s comments.
“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 will continue to be Ohio against the world. But I tell you what, I love these kids. We’ve got a tough team.”
Day’s passionate remarks went viral, with fans and analysts debating whether his response was warranted or overly emotional. Regardless, it became clear that Day had taken Holtz’s criticism personally, and the seeds of a rivalry were planted.
Lou Holtz’s Legacy
To understand why Holtz’s comments carried so much weight, it’s important to examine his legacy.
As Notre Dame’s head coach from 1986 to 1996, Holtz led the Fighting Irish to a national championship in 1988 and established himself as one of college football’s most respected figures.
His outspoken nature and loyalty to Notre Dame endeared him to fans but also made him a polarizing figure.
Holtz’s critique of Ohio State was rooted in his belief that physicality and toughness were the cornerstones of championship teams—principles he upheld throughout his coaching career.
His comments were not just analysis but a reflection of his broader football philosophy.
Ryan Day’s Journey as Ohio State’s Head Coach
Ryan Day, who took over as Ohio State’s head coach in 2019, inherited one of college football’s most prestigious programs.
Under his leadership, the Buckeyes consistently competed at the highest level, but critics often pointed to high-profile losses as evidence that his teams lacked the physical edge needed to win championships.
Day’s record included losses to Alabama in the 2020 national championship game and back-to-back defeats against Michigan in 2021 and 2022. These setbacks fueled narratives that Ohio State, despite its talent, struggled in the biggest games.
Holtz’s comments in 2023 echoed these criticisms, making them particularly stinging for Day. The Buckeyes’ victory over Notre Dame was an opportunity for Day to push back against those narratives and defend his program’s reputation.
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