Skip Holtz To Join His Dad At S.C.

Connecticut head football coach Skip Holtz resigned Monday night to join his father, Lou Holtz, on the coaching staff at the University of South Carolina.

Skip Holtz will become offensive coordinator of the Division I-A team, UConn officials announced Monday.

Lou Holtz, 61, was named South Carolina's head coach Friday, and announced Monday he had asked his son to join his staff. Skip Holtz served as offensive coordinator for his father at Notre Dame in 1992 and 1993 before taking over as the Huskies head coach in 1994.

Skip Holtz, 34, guided Connecticut to a school-record 10 wins this season before losing in the Division I-AA playoffs Saturday at top-ranked Georgia Southern. He compiled a winning percentage of .600 with a 34-23 record while head coach of the Huskies.

Skip Holtz did not immediately return a telephone call to his home seeking comment Monday night, but has scheduled a news conference with UConn athletics director Lew Perkins Tuesday afternoon.

Lou Holtz also had scheduled a news conference in Columbia, S.C., Tuesday, South Carolina athletics spokesman Kerry Tharp said.

Connecticut officials would not comment Monday night on Skip Holtz's departure.

Even before Lou Holtz accepted the position at South Carolina, there was talk of his son joining him, with the understanding he would succeed his father in two to three years.

"There are no formal or informal guarantees for him," South Carolina athletics director Mike McGee said Monday. "It's always helpful to have potential succession in a staff."

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