Lou Holtz, former head football coach of the University of Notre Dame was awarded the Medal of Freedom by outgoing US President Donald Trump, on Thursday, as per CNN report.

Holtz, 83, the only college football coach to lead six different programs to bowl games, was elected to the College Football Hall of Fame, in 2008.

President Donald Trump bestowed the honour on Holtz at the Oval Office and said, “It’s my privilege to present our nation’s highest civilian honour, the Presidential Medal of Freedom, to one of America’s greatest coaches in history, the legendary Lou Holtz, a friend of mine,” as per CNN.

During his tenure at Notre Dame, Holtz maintained a record of 100-30-2 in 11 seasons and also founded the Holtz’s Heroes Foundation which provides a platform to underprivileged students in the college.

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While honouring Holtz, Trump stated, “Lou got to work quickly, returned Notre Dame to the status of a football powerhouse and the legend that they were.”

The outgoing President added, “See, I didn’t know all this stuff. I knew you were a great coach. I didn’t know you were this good … this is beyond a great coach.”

Holtz was all praises for the outgoing US President and called Trump, “the greatest president in my lifetime.”

The 83-year-old added, “I want to assure you of how proud I am, not only to receive the award — I’m even prouder to receive it from President Donald Trump,” as per CNN.

Holtz further stated,  “This award, as great as it is, does not define who Lou Holtz is. My beautiful family, my precious wife, my friends, you have determined who I am. I just try to be a solid person.”

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The football coach has been a long time supporter of President Trump and had endorsed him ahead of the 2016 election and also made a recorded announcement at the Republican National Convention in 2020.

Trump had announced that Holtz would be awarded the medal in September.

The Medal of Honour is awarded to “individuals who have made especially meritorious contributions to the security or national interests of the United States, to world peace, or to cultural or other significant public or private endeavours.”