Notre Dame coach Lou Holtz has broken his silence about a book that includes allegations he encouraged steroid use and abused players.
During an interview Sunday on CNN's "Coaches Corner," Holtz began with what has been his standard response - that he would not read the book and would not comment.But he then said it has been difficult not to respond and spent several minutes refuting some of the allegations, marking the first time he has commented on the book since its contents became public two weeks ago.
"Look at our graduation rate, look at our drug-testing program, look at the people who have played at the university of Notre Dame and the response that they have had," Holtz said. "Look at the way our football players play. Go talk to the millions of people, there are thousands of them, who have done well."
"Under the Tarnished Dome: How Notre Dame Betrayed its Ideals for Football Glory" uses interviews with scores of former Notre Dame players to accuse Holtz of encouraging steroid use and abusing players, among other things. The book says the university lowered its academic standards to rebuild a football program that sagged in the early 1980s.
University officials have refuted all allegations, and two former players quoted in the book have issued letters saying their comments were misrepresented.
"What I hope people understand is this: The University of Notre Dame is not Lou Holtz and it's not our football program," Holtz said. "There's a policy here, there's a philosophy here and there's a belief here . . . I'm going to coach the football team to the very best of my ability and I'll say once again, we're proud of what we've done and the manner we've done it."
He deferred comment to university officials on the steroid allegations. However, Holtz, who is about 5-foot-10 and weighs somewhere around 140 pounds, quipped: "Look at me. I really believe in steroids."
After the Fighting Irish upset Michigan on Saturday, several players said they had rallied around their coach amid the criticism. The team gave Holtz a game ball after the 27-23 victory.
"The one thing I hope our football players realize is that you care about other people, and when you have a difficult time you need to lift other people up," Holtz said Sunday. "And if we've learned that lesson then, hey, I think it's a very worthwhile one."