Kenny Holmes is in his first year with the USD football program where he will coach the Defensive Line. Holmes came to USD from New Mexico Military Institute (NMMI) where he was the Assistant Head Coach, Recruitment Coordinator and Defensive Line Coach from 2012-2014. While at NMMI, Holmes assisted in leading the team to winning the 2013 El Toro Bowl (NMMI[apos]s first Bowl victory since 1999). In addition, he helped to produce the 2013 #1 and #6 rated Defensive Ends in Junior College football.
Prior to coaching at NMMI, Holmes served as a Graduate Assistant at the New Mexico State University where he coached the defensive tackles and helped the Aggies to upset the University of Minnesota in [quote]The Gopher Hole[quote].
From 2008-2011, Holmes was the Defensive Coordinator for Vero Beach High School. Under Holmes[apos] leadership, the defense held opponents under 13.9 points per game and recorded 23 turnovers, and 164 sacks. The Holmes-led defense aided the [quote]Fighting Chiefs[quote] to a 0.758 winning percentage as well as assisted the team in advancing to District 7-6A playoffs for the last three years. Players that Holmes coached and went on to play on the collegiate level include: Brian Stork-FSU (2013 Rimington Trophy Winner); Dwayne Hoitlett-University of Miami; Marcus Jackson-University of Tennessee; Larz Koht-FIU; Cody Horsemen-FIU and Travonte Boles-Western Michigan.
As a player, Holmes served two consecutive terms as the captain for the University of Miami football program. He earned First Team All-Big East Honors in 1995 and 1996, notched 29 career sacks and 207 tackles. He reached a personal-best 10 sacks in 1996, and his 29 career sacks rank second all-time for the Hurricanes.
After an outstanding collegiate football career at the University of Miami, Holmes became the Tennessee Oilers first round (18th overall selection) pick in the 1997 NFL Draft. As the franchise[apos]s first draft choice in its inaugural season, he tied for the team lead in sacks was selected for the All-Rookie team. In 1999 Holmes helped lead the Tennessee Titans franchise to its first and only Super Bowl (XXXIV) and in 2003 helped lead the New York Giants to the playoffs. After 7 successful seasons in the NFL, Holmes retired as a leading defensive end with career stats of 289 tackles and 39 sacks.
Holmes holds a BA in Liberal Arts from the University of Miami, a MA in Curriculum and Instruction with a specialization in Special Education from New Mexico State University and Certification in Business Management and Entrepreneurship from Harvard School of Business.
