Elizabeth Beth Barcus Holtz was the wife of legendary American college football coach Lou Holtz. She was widely known for her philanthropy, business ventures, and decades of support for her husband’s coaching career across multiple universities in the United States.
Beth Holtz and Lou Holtz shared a marriage that lasted nearly six decades and built a family of four children. While Lou Holtz became one of the most respected coaches in college football history, Beth played an important role behind the scenes, supporting both family life and charitable initiatives.
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Early Life
Elizabeth Barcus was born on March 29, 1938, in the United States and was raised in East Liverpool, Ohio. Her parents were John Campbell Barcus and Eleanor Josephine Barcus. She met Lou Holtz during their high school years, and their relationship eventually led to a long and influential partnership that continued throughout Holtz’s football career.
Marriage to Lou Holtz
Beth Barcus married Lou Holtz on July 22, 1961, at St. Ann Catholic Church in East Liverpool, Ohio. Their marriage lasted nearly 59 years until Beth’s death in 2020. Throughout Lou Holtz’s coaching career which took the family across multiple states including Virginia, North Carolina, Arkansas, Minnesota, and Indiana. Beth played a central role in managing family life and supporting his professional journey.
The couple had four children, including Skip Holtz, who later became a football coach himself.
| Full Name | Elizabeth “Beth” Barcus Holtz |
|---|---|
| Date of Birth | March 29, 1938 |
| Place of Upbringing | East Liverpool, Ohio, United States |
| Parents | John Campbell Barcus and Eleanor Josephine Barcus |
| Spouse | Lou Holtz |
| Marriage Date | July 22, 1961 |
| Children | 4 (including football coach Skip Holtz) |
| Profession | Entrepreneur and Philanthropist |
| Business | Founder of The Tennis Hog Shop (Arkansas) |
| Charitable Work | Co-founder of Holtz Family Foundation; volunteer at No One Dies Alone program |
| Death | June 30, 2020 |
| Age at Death | 82 years |
Career and Business Ventures
Beth Holtz was also an entrepreneur. While living in Arkansas during Lou Holtz’s coaching tenure, she founded The Tennis Hog Shop, a tennis retail business. The business expanded successfully to three locations before she eventually sold it. She also studied business courses at the University of Arkansas while running the company.
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Health Struggles and Death
Beth Holtz battled throat cancer for several years and underwent numerous treatments during her illness. She passed away on June 30, 2020, at the age of 82, following complications related to her long cancer battle. Her death was widely mourned in the college football community, with many former players and colleagues expressing condolences and praising her influence on Lou Holtz’s life and career.
Lou Holtz married Elizabeth Barcus on July 22, 1961, at St. Ann Catholic Church in East Liverpool, Ohio.
Lou Holtz and Beth Holtz had four children. One of them, Skip Holtz, became a well-known college football coach.
Elizabeth Beth Holtz passed away on June 30, 2020, at the age of 82 after battling throat cancer.
