The Minnesota Golden Gophers were led by head coach Lou Holtz during the 1984 season and the 1985 regular season. He did not coach the Gophers in the 1985 Independence Bowl, as he had left to lead the Notre Dame Fighting Irish. In the two seasons, the Gophers won 10 games and lost 12. In the Big Ten, they won 7 games and lost 10. Seven players were named All-Big Ten second team. David Puk was named an Academic All-American, the only player to achieve the title under Holtz. Five players were named Academic All-Big Ten.