Then shall your light break forth like the dawn, and your healing shall spring up speedily; your righteousness shall go before you; the glory of the Lord shall be your rear guard. 9Then you shall call, and the Lord will answer; you shall cry, and he will say, ‘Here I am.’ (Isaiah 58:8-9a)

Lou Holtz made a tremendous impact on my life as a young man around the age of 27. I credit the man with helping me get my first principal's job at 29 years of age. I was in my eighth year of education, an assistant principal at the school I'd applied for, and knew the school well. I'd gone there as a child, yet in spite of those things, the elementary director was not keen on me. She had hopes of bringing in someone with more experience, who taught elementary (I taught middle school.). The director loathed secondary school teachers.

At the time of the interview with the Leadership Team in the district, I was reading Holtz's book, "The Fighting Spirit," based on his philosophy of life, the sport and the championship season at Notre Dame. The book sharpened me in ways I cannot describe. Here are some notes I made in the margins:

Are they (the team you are seeking to be part of) committed to excellence?

Do they care about colleagues and the future at _____ ?

Compete against yourself for perfection.

If you have great commitment, you'll approach everything in the best manner possible.

We can conquer space and oceans, but we cannot conquer ourselves. (Chapter 1)

Holtz had some things to conquer. He wasn't good at football as a player. He rode the bench in high school. In a film called "Do Right," he said he went to the coach one day asking what he could do to improve, and the coach told him, "You're small. Your slow. Other than that, you aren't very good."

Here is where Holtz's light shines: "I prayed every day that God make me bigger and quicker and faster. I prayed every day, and I kept asking myself, 'Why doesn't God answer prayers?" ... But God answers prayers ... I've had the thrill that goes beyond compare ... of being at Notre Dame. So don't tell me God doesn't answer prayers ... He has been more than good to me" (p 380). Apparently, Holtz is a man of faith and he used that faith in opportunities as a husband, father, brother, friend, and coach to help others see God's hand in their own lives. Holtz shared and witnessed in all facets of life to any and every one.

Isaiah speaks of our light shining and God answering our prayer. What will we do when he says, "Here I am?" Pray we hear God's answer and move forward in life.

(As of this writing Feb 3, 2026, Holtz is in hospice care.)

"The Fighting Spirit." Lou Holtz (with John Heisler). Pocket Books, NY 1989.