Jerry Holmes, a coaching veteran with experience in Divisions I and II and the NFL, is in his first season as the defensive coordinator at Norfolk State University. He also coaches the linebackers.
Holmes comes with head coach Latrell Scott to NSU from Virginia State, where the Trojans captured the 2014 CIAA championship and won the first-ever NCAA Division II playoff game in school history.
Holmes has distinguished himself as a defensive coach at the FBS and FCS levels as well as the professional ranks. Most recently, Holmes coached a 2014 Virginia State defense that played an integral role in the Trojans' 10-3 record, CIAA championship and first-ever appearance in the NCAA Division II playoffs. His defense ranked in the national Division II top 20 in turnovers gained (11th, 31), interceptions (12th, 18), passing defense (17th, 174.2 ypg) and total defense (20th, 314.7 ypg).
Holmes is no stranger to the MEAC. He had two successful stints as defensive coordinator at Hampton University and was also the Pirates' head coach in 2008.
Holmes began his coaching career as the linebackers coach and co-defensive coordinator at Hampton from 1992 to 1994. During those three seasons with the Pirates, Hampton posted a record of 31-4-1, making two trips to the NCAA playoffs and capturing the 1994 Black College National Championship.
After leaving Hampton, Holmes spent the next four seasons (1995-98) as the defensive backs coach at his alma mater, West Virginia University. In 1996, the Mountaineers featured the nation's top-ranked defense that included a No. 5 national ranking against the pass. Following his tenure in Morgantown, W.Va., Holmes spent five seasons as a defensive backs coach in the NFL, first for Cleveland (1999-2000), then Washington (2001) and finally San Diego (2002-03).
Holmes returned to Hampton as defensive coordinator and linebackers coach from 2004-07. HU went 37-10 in that span, winning three straight MEAC titles and making three NCAA Division I FCS playoff appearances from 2004-06. The Pirates' defenses were a big reason for that success, ranking sixth in the nation in total defense and second in scoring defense in 2005, then 15th nationally in total defense and sixth in scoring defense in 2006.
As head coach, Holmes led HU to a 6-5 record in 2008.
Holmes has helped numerous players reach the ranks of professional football. At Hampton, he helped tutor future NFL players Justin Durant (LB), Kendall Langford (DL), Kenrick Ellis (DL), Marcus Dixon (DL) and Cordell Taylor (CB). At West Virginia, he worked with future NFL defensive backs Aaron Beasley and Mike Logan.
As a player, Holmes' professional playing career as a cornerback spanned 12 seasons and included stops with the NFL's New York Jets (1980-83, 86-87), Detroit Lions (1988-89) and Green Bay Packers (1990-91) as well as the USFL's Pittsburgh Maulers (1984) and New Jersey Generals (1985). Holmes recorded 25 career interceptions in the NFL, two of which he returned for touchdowns.
As a player, Holmes began his collegiate career at Chowan Junior College, where he earned an associate’s degree in business administration before transferring to West Virginia. He was a two-year letterman with the Mountaineers, serving as team captain as a senior and earning the Ira A. Rodgers Award as the team’s most valuable player. He earned his bachelor’s degree in business administration from WVU in 1979.
Holmes is a native of Newport News, Va.
