The national championship game between Notre Dame and Ohio State has reached a fever pitch, but the real spectacle isn’t on the field—it’s happening on the sidelines. Pat McAfee, the vibrant sports personality, has brought an unexpected layer of entertainment by introducing Ty Schmit, decked out in his best “Lou Holtz” impression. The result? A hilarious mix of football intensity and sideline comedy that has fans either laughing or cringing.
It’s not going well for “Lou Holtz” on the Field Pass with Pat McAfee broadcast. #CFP pic.twitter.com/1rxgIUepS3 https://t.co/a7UmojQCOW
— Awful Announcing (@awfulannouncing) January 21, 2025
Earlier in the week, Schmit’s “Lou Holtz” persona appeared in an interview with Notre Dame’s Marcus Freeman and Ohio State’s Ryan Day. The two coaches couldn’t contain their laughter, making it a viral moment even before game day. Fast forward to the championship, McAfee doubled down, bringing Schmit’s act to the field for ESPN2’s Field Pass with the Pat McAfee Show. The comedic performance, however, coincided with Notre Dame’s struggles, leading to a night of mixed emotions and memorable moments.
During the game, with Notre Dame trailing by a touchdown, Marcus Freeman made a bold call on 4th-and-2: a fake punt. Backup quarterback Steve Angeli launched a pass to Jordan Faison, only for the receiver to drop it. Schmit, in full “Lou Holtz” mode, dramatically collapsed on the sidelines, pretending to feel the weight of Notre Dame’s misfortune. McAfee couldn’t resist narrating the scene, commenting that “Coach Lou Holtz is breaking down emotionally, physically, and spiritually.” Schmit even joked, “I think I sh-t my Depends,” adding to the absurdity. McAfee summed it up with a sharp quip: “Coach Lou’s having a bad night, so is Marcus Freeman.”
But the drama extends beyond fake antics. The real Lou Holtz, an iconic former Notre Dame coach, has been in an ongoing feud with Ryan Day since 2023. After Ohio State’s narrow 17-14 victory over Notre Dame that year, Holtz questioned Ohio State’s toughness. Day fired back, defending his team and calling out Holtz’s comments. The rivalry between the two figures has since become a subplot in the broader Notre Dame-Ohio State saga.
In this year’s championship, Holtz made a surprise appearance, joining fans in comparing his real presence to Schmit’s exaggerated portrayal. The sight of “Real Holtz” and “Fake Holtz” side by side brought a surreal twist to an already chaotic game.
Ryan Day, meanwhile, remained focused on the match, offering guarded compliments to Marcus Freeman. He acknowledged Notre Dame’s resilience and the challenges of facing them but made it clear that this was a new year and a new test. Day has beaten Freeman twice before, and as the game unfolded, it looked like he was on track to do it again.
As the final moments ticked away, Notre Dame’s hopes of a comeback dimmed. Freeman’s team struggled against Ohio State’s relentless performance, leaving fans wondering if the Irish could ever turn the tide against Day. While McAfee’s sideline antics added a comedic layer to the evening, the real story was the dominance of Ohio State and the tension between Day and Holtz, both real and imagined.
For Notre Dame and its supporters, it was a night of heartbreak, drama, and chaos. For Ohio State, it was another step toward cementing their place at the top. As for McAfee and Schmit, they proved that even in the midst of high-stakes football, there’s always room for a little comedic relief—whether fans loved it or not.