On the eve of the pivotal Republican presidential primary in Indiana, Donald Trump received the endorsement of a second major Indiana coaching  legend — former Notre Dame football coach Lou Holtz.  

Why? “The main reason I’m endorsing him: I have played his golf course and stayed in his hotel. He does nothing but go first class on everything. He wants his country to be first class as well.” (Next up, the counter-argument: “I stayed there and ran out of towels.”)


[Football Has Been a Disaster for Trump]

In a video Trump posted on his Twitter account, Holtz, who led Notre Dame to a national championship in 1989, said he “wholeheartedly” endorsed the billionaire businessman, but never did mention any  Trump policies.

Honored to have received the endorsement of Lou Holtz – a great guy! #INPrimary #Trump2016 pic.twitter.com/AeGyODb37O

— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) May 2, 2016

Holtz’s endorsement comes after former Indiana University Coach Bobby Knight throwing his support behind Trump last week. In addition, Trump has also received the support of New England Patriots Quarterback Tom Brady , Buffalo Bills head coach Rex Ryan , former Chicago Bears coach Mike Ditka , pro golfer John Daly, and Dennis Rodman.

That’s y I luv my friend @realDonaldTrump he’s not politics he’s business! It’s what our country needs #SuperTuesday pic.twitter.com/5A5cTg3UEh

— John Daly (@PGA_JohnDaly) March 2, 2016

@realDonaldTrump has been a great friend for many years. We don’t need another politician, we need a businessman like Mr. Trump! Trump 2016

— Dennis Rodman (@dennisrodman) July 24, 2015

Former Notre Dame basketball coach Digger Phelps has also endorsed the reality TV star, as has former heavyweight champion Mike Tyson.  

This year, it’s not clear that endorsements of any kind mean much, whether you’re Gov. Mike Pence or convicted rapist Mike Tyson . And Holtz, who lives in Florida, surely has little sway outside South Bend. Still, polls suggest that Hoosiers don’t need to be persuaded. Which is why these tough-guy endorsements seem to be less about winning votes than about currying favor with the man who might be the next POTUS.  

Contact Garcia at EricGarcia@cqrollcall.com and follow him on Twitter @EricMGarcia.

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