Lou Holtz, the Hall of Fame coach who led Notre Dame to the 1988 national championship and revitalised multiple college football programmes, has died at the age of 89.
His family confirmed the news on Wednesday, stating he passed away in Orlando, Florida, surrounded by loved ones.
The university released a statement paying tribute to one of the most significant figures in their sporting history.
A master of rebuilding
Holtz finished his illustrious head coaching career with a remarkable 249-132-7 record.
The disciplinarian earned a reputation for turning struggling teams into contenders across six different universities.
His collegiate tenure included successful stints at William & Mary, NC State, Arkansas, Minnesota, and South Carolina.
The veteran tactician also briefly coached in the NFL, leading the New York Jets during the 1976 season.
Restoring the Fighting Irish
Holtz’s greatest achievement came after he was hired by Notre Dame in 1986 to restore the faded glory of the programme.
Taking the job fulfilled a childhood ambition for the Ohio native, who grew up listening to the team’s games on the radio in the 1940s.
He famously had a clause written into his contract at Minnesota allowing him to leave for the Irish, provided he first took the Gophers to a bowl game.
Under his stewardship, immediate success followed, including receiver Tim Brown winning the Heisman Trophy in 1987.
The pinnacle of his tenure arrived in 1988, when he guided the team to an undefeated season and a national title.
That historic run included a defining victory over bitter rivals Miami in a match dubbed “Catholics vs Convicts”.
Standard setter and broadcaster
Former players have often cited Holtz’s uncompromising standards as the catalyst for their success.
Quarterback Steve Beuerlein, who played under Holtz, recalled the immediate cultural shift during their first team meeting.
“He got up to the podium and he looked at our team and he said, ‘Get your feet on the floor, sit up straight, take your hats off and get ready to play some football.’ We knew right away that it was a whole new deal.”
Steve Beuerlein, former Notre Dame quarterback
Following his retirement from the sidelines, Holtz enjoyed a second career as a prominent television analyst.
He spent more than a decade with ESPN, becoming known to a new generation of fans for his quick wit and analysis.
The New England Patriots are planning to release wide receiver Stefon Diggs just one year after signing him to a lucrative three-year contract.
The move comes despite the 32-year-old playing a pivotal role in helping the franchise reach the Super Bowl in his debut campaign.
Diggs had agreed to a deal worth $69m (£54.5m) in free agency last March.
Legal proceedings ongoing
The veteran pass catcher is currently facing felony strangulation and other criminal charges.
These allegations stem from a reported dispute with his personal chef.
The former Buffalo Bills star has pleaded not guilty to the charges filed against him.
He is next scheduled to appear for a pretrial hearing on 1 April.
Production on the field
Diggs remained a productive asset for the Patriots’ offence during his short tenure.
He recorded 85 receptions for 1,013 yards and four touchdowns throughout the regular season.
His release marks a rapid end to what was viewed as a major acquisition for the AFC East side.
The Arizona Cardinals have informed quarterback Kyler Murray they intend to release him at the start of the new league year unless a trade is agreed beforehand.
Sources indicate the franchise plans to part ways with the former number one overall pick next Wednesday.
If a trade partner cannot be found in the coming days, the decision will formally end Murray’s tenure in the desert.
Financial implications of the move
Significant salary cap factors appear to be driving the timing of the announcement.
Arizona already owes the 27-year-old $36.8m in guaranteed money for the 2026 season.
Furthermore, an additional $19.5m guarantee for the 2027 campaign was set to trigger on 15 March.
By releasing the two-time Pro Bowler before that date, the organisation avoids locking in that further financial commitment.
A potential trade scenario
While the Cardinals have signalled their intent to cut the dual-threat playmaker, the door remains slightly ajar for a trade.
However, any deal would need to be finalised before the start of the league year next week.
Should he hit the open market, the quarterback is expected to draw interest from several teams seeking a starter.
Colorado quarterback Dominiq Ponder has died at the age of 23, head coach Deion Sanders announced on Sunday.
Sanders confirmed the news regarding the third-year sophomore in a statement released on social media.
The Buffaloes head coach paid tribute to Ponder, describing him as “one of my favorites”.
‘A born leader’
Writing on the platform X, formerly known as Twitter, Sanders highlighted the impact Ponder had on the locker room.
“He was Loved, Respected & a Born Leader,” Sanders wrote.
“Let’s pray for all that knew him & had the opportunity to be in his presence. Lord you’re receiving a good one.”
No details regarding the cause of death were immediately made available.
The tragic announcement comes just one day before Colorado are scheduled to open their spring practice sessions in Boulder.
From Florida to Boulder
Ponder had spent the past two seasons with the program after transferring from Bethune-Cookman.
The Opa Locka native appeared in two games during the previous campaign, recording two rushes and a single pass attempt.
Prior to his time in the NCAA, the quarterback played high school football at Carol City and Naples in Florida.
He also spent time developing at Myrtle Beach Collegiate Academy in South Carolina before making the move to the collegiate level.
The Minnesota Vikings are prioritising the addition of an experienced quarterback to challenge J.J. McCarthy following the youngster’s difficult second season in the NFL.
Discussions held during the NFL Combine in Indianapolis suggest the franchise remains committed to their 2024 first-round pick despite his recent struggles.
McCarthy missed his rookie year through injury and faced significant challenges during an injury-riddled 2025 campaign.
Veteran support sought for McCarthy
The Vikings hierarchy are reportedly unwilling to simply hand the starting role to the former Michigan standout for the 2026 season.
Should established passers such as Geno Smith or Kyler Murray become available via release, Minnesota is expected to pursue a short-term deal.
The NFC North club views a low-cost, one-year contract for a veteran as the ideal scenario to foster competition.
This strategy aims to refocus McCarthy on his technical development while securing a viable starter if his form does not improve.
Bringing in a proven commodity is seen as a necessary step to harness the talent the organisation identified when drafting him.
Rodgers and Cousins links re-emerge
If a younger veteran cannot be secured, the Vikings may pivot toward the league’s most senior signal-callers.
Former Viking Kirk Cousins, Joe Flacco and Aaron Rodgers have all been identified as potential targets.
Minnesota had previously discussed approaching Rodgers last offseason before deciding against the move.
The front office could also explore trade options for unproven backups to bolster squad depth.
Names such as Tanner McKee, Davis Mills or Anthony Richardson Sr have been mooted as potential trade targets.
However, acquiring a younger backup is unlikely to provide the mentorship or immediate competition required to salvage McCarthy’s long-term trajectory.
The free agency negotiation window opens on 9 March, with the Vikings expected to be active in the quarterback market.
Arkansas quarterback Taylen Green has shattered multiple positional records at the NFL Scouting Combine, clocking a historic 40-yard dash time alongside unprecedented jump figures.
The top-10 prospect stunned scouts at Lucas Oil Stadium on Saturday by recording an official time of 4.36 seconds in the sprint.
This rapid pace was complemented by an explosive 43.5-inch vertical leap and a broad jump measuring 11ft 2in.
Data from ESPN Research confirms that all three markers stand as records for a quarterback since tracking began in 2003.
Eclipsing Richardson and Griffin III
The 6ft 5in athlete’s performance surpassed the previous vertical and broad jump benchmarks set by Indianapolis Colts passer Anthony Richardson Sr in 2023.
Richardson had posted a 40.5-inch vertical and a 10ft 9in broad jump before being selected fourth overall in that year’s draft.
On the track, the Arkansas standout’s speed eclipsed the 4.41-second dash recorded by Robert Griffin III following his Heisman-winning campaign at Baylor in 2012.
Green is now the only quarterback in the modern combine era to break the 4.4-second barrier.
Draft stock and college pedigree
This athletic showcase arrives as NFL franchises continue to evaluate a quarterback class headlined by Indiana’s Fernando Mendoza.
Prior to the workouts in Indianapolis, the former Boise State starter was rated as the eighth-best quarterback prospect by analyst Mel Kiper Jr.
Green brings significant experience to the professional ranks, having served as a starter for four years across his collegiate career.
During his final season with the Razorbacks, the dual-threat passer accumulated 2,714 yards through the air and 19 touchdowns.
His mobility was further evidenced by 777 rushing yards and eight scores on the ground.
Despite the physical dominance displayed in Indianapolis, scouts note that consistency remains a focus area regarding his extended throwing motion.
Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones has vowed to increase spending in free agency as he looks to end the franchise’s 30-year wait for a Super Bowl title.
Admitting failure to the fans
Jones acknowledged he has "let the fans down" following a disappointing 2025 campaign where the team finished with a 7-9-1 record.
Speaking at the NFL scouting combine in Indianapolis, the general manager insisted he is now willing to sacrifice long-term financial stability to secure immediate success.
"I want you to know that the only way to push more [money] out is for me to go borrow some of my future," said Jones.
"Expect me to go borrow some of my future."
The 82-year-old emphasised his desperation to return the Vince Lombardi Trophy to Texas, claiming he would "hitchhike back to Dallas" immediately if it guaranteed a championship.
Restructuring for cap space
To facilitate this spending spree, the organisation must first navigate the NFL’s newly set $301.2m salary cap.
The franchise intends to restructure the lucrative contracts of quarterback Dak Prescott, receiver CeeDee Lamb and guard Tyler Smith, a move expected to generate approximately $66m in breathing room.
Further financial flexibility will be sought by adjusting the deals of defensive tackles Kenny Clark and Quinnen Williams, potentially by adding voidable years to their agreements.
"I would bet that we will spend more money in free agency than we have," Jones confirmed, signalling a shift from the team’s usually conservative market approach.
Fixing a broken defense
The primary objective for the NFC East side is repairing a defensive unit that finished near the bottom of the league standings for yards and points allowed last season.
With new defensive coordinator Christian Parker recently hired, Jones is targeting recruits to shore up the backline while complementing offensive weapons like George Pickens and new running back signing Javonte Williams.
"I think that would be the area that you would see me bust the budget," Jones explained regarding the defense.
"Where you would see me do that is what we’re doing defensively. I intend to do that if given the opportunity."
The Atlanta Falcons have dismissed assistant defensive line coach LaTroy Lewis following the emergence of sexual assault allegations against him.
Lewis was relieved of his duties on Friday after the NFL franchise was made aware of an active investigation by the Ann Arbor Police Department.
The inquiry relates to an alleged incident on 5 December 2024, during the coach’s tenure on the University of Michigan’s staff.
Nature of the allegations
Karen Truszkowski, an attorney representing the alleged victim, confirmed that her client has filed an incident report and applied for a protective order.
Truszkowski alleges that the former Tennessee player met the woman at a hotel in Ann Arbor, where he is accused of rape and battery.
The pair had reportedly connected on a dating app in July 2024, with the attorney claiming the coach’s behaviour became "increasingly aggressive" over subsequent months.
Lewis has not publicly responded to requests for comment regarding the accusations.
Previous police contact
A separate incident involving the two parties occurred in January 2025, prompting a response from the Milford Police Department.
According to reports obtained by ESPN, officers noted a verbal argument at the residence, and the woman declined to discuss the matter further at the time.
Truszkowski now asserts that her client was physically abused during that altercation but was too fearful to press charges immediately.
Short-lived tenure
The dismissal comes less than a month after Lewis was appointed to the Falcons’ coaching staff on 10 February.
Before joining the NFC South club, the 31-year-old held coaching roles at Michigan, Toledo, and UConn following a playing career that included three seasons in the NFL.
This development marks the second significant legal issue facing the organisation recently.
It follows the arrest of linebacker James Pearce Jr earlier in February on felony charges stemming from a vehicle collision.