Jerry Holmes

Last updated

Jerry Holmes
No. 43, 44, 47, 37
Position: Cornerback
Personal information
Born: (1957-12-22) December 22, 1957 (age 66)
Newport News, Virginia, U.S.
Height:6 ft 2 in (1.88 m)
Weight:175 lb (79 kg)
Career information
High school: Bethel (VA)
College: West Virginia
Undrafted: 1980
Career history
As a player:
As a coach:
Career highlights and awards
Career NFL statistics
Interceptions:25
Fumble recoveries:6
Sacks:2.0
Stats at Pro Football Reference

Jerry Lee Holmes (born December 22, 1957) is an American football coach and former cornerback. He played ten seasons in the National Football League (NFL), mainly for New York Jets but also with the Detroit Lions and Green Bay Packers. He also played in the United States Football League (USFL) for the New Jersey Generals and the Pittsburgh Maulers. Holmes attended West Virginia University. [1]

Contents

College career

Holmes began his collegiate career at Chowan Junior College before transferring to West Virginia. He lettered for two years at West Virginia.Jerry Holmes was a standout defensive back for two seasons on WVU’s 1978 and 1979 football teams after coming to Morgantown from Chowan Junior College in North Carolina.

Holmes earned All-East and totaled 175 career tackles in his two-year Mountaineer career and was a captain his senior season. Despite a limited time in the Mountaineer uniform, Holmes still was named a member of WVU’s all-1970s team and earned the award for the team’s most valuable player in 1979.

Professional career

New York Jets

Holmes made the New York Jets roster in 1980 as a rookie free agent. While primarily a backup his rookie season, he became a starter by early 1981 [2] on a vastly improved Jets defense that helped lead the team to its first playoff berth in 12 years. Holmes intercepted a Joe Ferguson pass in a 31–27 AFC Wild Card playoff loss to the Buffalo Bills.

Holmes notched 3 interceptions during the 1982 regular season and recovered a fumble by Los Angeles Raiders WR Cliff Branch in a playoff game, quashing a potential late first half field goal in a game ultimately won by the Jets 17-14. [3]

On September 2, 1983, Holmes signed a future contract with the Pittsburgh Maulers of the USFL to begin in 1984. The contract reportedly tripled his salary and earned him a signing bonus, in addition to being personally guaranteed by Maulers owner Edward J. DeBartolo Sr. in case of injury during his remaining Jets time. [4] Despite his lame duck status, Holmes had several big plays during the season that keyed Jets wins. In week 4, Holmes returned a blocked field goal 57 yards against the Rams for his first career touchdown in a 27-24 OT victory. In week 9, he picked off a Joe Montana pass late in the game and returned it 43 yards for a touchdown to clinch and upset victory at San Francisco.

USFL - Pittsburgh Maulers/New Jersey Generals

Holmes started all 18 games for the expansion Maulers in 1984 [5] and had two interceptions. [6] The Maulers franchise folded and Holmes' contract was assigned to the New Jersey Generals for the 1985 season, for which he started and contributed three interceptions.

New York Jets

After the USFL announced it was suspending its fall 1986 season on August 4, 1986, Holmes re-signed with the Jets late in training camp. [7] He led the team with 6 interceptions (finishing 5th in the AFC) in the regular season and added one more in a Divisional playoff loss at Cleveland. Holmes was released by the Jets during 1988 training camp and signed with the Detroit Lions.

Detroit Lions

Homes started for the Lions in 1988-89 and swiped 7 total interceptions, including 6 in 1989 which tied him for third in the NFC. He scored his last career touchdown on November 12, 1989, against the Green Bay Packers. [8]

Green Bay Packers

Holmes finished his career as a starter for the Packers in 1990-91, totaling four more interceptions for a career NFL total of 25 (and a professional total of 30). He announced his retirement during 1992 training camp. [9]

Coaching career

Jerry Holmes enters his first season as head coach at Hampton University. Prior to becoming head coach Holmes spent the last third season as defensive coordinator and linebackers coach here at Hampton (2004–07). Holmes’ also spent five years coaching defensive backs for the San Diego Chargers (2002–03), the Washington Redskins (2001) and the Cleveland Browns (1999-00).

As a coach, Holmes embodies the same characteristics that he demonstrated as a player in the NFL and the USFL, physical play and aggressive football. His coaching prowess has transferred successfully to his players on the field everywhere that he has been. In 2001 his Redskins secondary boasted the NFL’s sixth leading defense against the pass. The team’s 23 interceptions were the fifth most in the league. During Holmes’ tenure with the Browns, Cleveland ranked 11th and 12th in the league against the pass.

Holmes began his coaching career as the linebackers coach and co-defensive coordinator at Hampton University from 1992 to 1994. During those three seasons with the Pirates, Hampton posted a remarkable record of 31-4-1, winning three consecutive CIAA championships, making two trips to the NCAA playoffs and capturing the 1994 Black College National Championship. After leaving Hampton, Holmes spent the next four seasons (1994–98) 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. He has also completed coaching internships with the Detroit Lions, the Jacksonville Jaguars and Boston University.

Since his return to Hampton Holmes has continued his previous success by guiding linebacker Justin Durant to three consecutive MEAC Defensive Player of the Year honors, while also helping the Pirate defense lead the country in turnovers forced with 43 in 2004. During the 2005 campaign his unit finished the year ranking second in the Division I FCS in points allowed at 14 points per game, while also ranking sixth in total defense. Last season the Pirates continued to display their dominance on the defensive side of the ball surrendering just 14.5 points per game, ranking third in pass defense and second in tackles for loss.

Head coaching record

YearTeamOverallConferenceStandingBowl/playoffs
Hampton Pirates (Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference)(2008)
2008 Hampton6–55–3T–2nd
Hampton:6–55–3
Total:6–5

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Pittsburgh Maulers (1984)</span> Defunct American football team

The Pittsburgh Maulers were a team that competed in the 1984 season of the United States Football League. Their most prominent player was first pick overall in the 1984 USFL Draft, running back Mike Rozier of Nebraska, who won the Heisman Trophy, collegiate football's most prestigious individual award.

The Birmingham Stallions were a franchise in the United States Football League, an attempt to establish a second professional league of American football in the United States in competition with the National Football League. They played their home games at Birmingham, Alabama's Legion Field. They competed in all three USFL seasons, 1983–1985. During their run, they were one of the USFL's more popular teams, and seemed to have a realistic chance of being a viable venture had the USFL been better run.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Nick Barnett</span> American football player (born 1981)

Nicholas Alexander Barnett is an American former professional football player who was a linebacker in the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Oregon State Beavers, and was selected by the Green Bay Packers in the first round of the 2003 NFL draft. He played professionally for the Packers, Buffalo Bills and Washington Redskins. Sidelined by an injury, he was unable to play with the Packers during their Super Bowl XLV win against the Pittsburgh Steelers.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Dom Capers</span> American football player and coach (born 1950)

Ernest Dominic Capers is an American football coach who is a senior defensive assistant for the Carolina Panthers of the National Football League (NFL). He was previously the inaugural head coach of the Panthers and the Houston Texans for four seasons each. Capers is the only head coach to lead two different NFL expansion teams during their first seasons.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Dick LeBeau</span> American football player and coach (born 1937)

Charles Richard LeBeau is an American former professional football player and coach in the National Football League (NFL) He was active at field level in the NFL for 59 consecutive seasons, 14 playing as a cornerback with the Detroit Lions and 45 as a coach. LeBeau spent the majority of his coaching career as a defensive assistant, most notably as the defensive coordinator of the Cincinnati Bengals and Pittsburgh Steelers. Described as an "innovator" and "defensive football genius", he is considered to be one of the greatest defensive coordinators of all time.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Joe Schmidt (American football)</span> American football player and coach (1932–2024)

Joseph Paul Schmidt was an American professional football player and coach. He played as a linebacker in the National Football League (NFL) for the Detroit Lions for 13 years from 1953 to 1965. He won two NFL championships with the Lions, and, between 1954 and 1963, he played in ten consecutive Pro Bowl games and was selected each year as a first-team All-Pro player. He was also voted by his fellow NFL players as the NFL's most valuable defensive player in 1960 and 1963, named to the NFL 1950s All-Decade Team, inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1973 and chosen as a member of the NFL 100th Anniversary All-Time Team in 2019.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tim Lewis</span> American football player and coach (born 1961)

Tim Lewis is an American football coach and former player who is the defensive coordinator for the Boston College Eagles. He played college football as a cornerback for the Pittsburgh Panthers and was selected by the Green Bay Packers of the National Football League (NFL) in the first round of the 1983 NFL draft. Following a neck injury that cut his playing career short after four seasons, Lewis began serving as a coach in the collegiate and professional levels and obtained his first head coaching position with the Birmingham Iron of the Alliance of American Football (AAF) in 2019. He also served as the defensive backs coach for the St. Louis BattleHawks and co-defensive coordinator for the Arlington Renegades of the XFL.

Byron Keith Traylor is an American former professional football player who was a nose tackle for 17 seasons in the National Football League (NFL). He was originally drafted by the Denver Broncos in the third round of the 1991 NFL draft. He played college football at Central Oklahoma. Traylor has won a total of three Super Bowl rings; he won two with the Denver Broncos and one with the New England Patriots.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">1984 NFL season</span> 1984 National Football League season

The 1984 NFL season was the 65th regular season of the National Football League. The Colts relocated from Baltimore, Maryland, to Indianapolis, Indiana, before the season.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Hank Bullough</span> American football player and coach (1934–2019)

Henry Charles Bullough was an American football player and coach. He played college football at Michigan State and graduated in 1954. Bullough was a starting guard for the Spartans team that won the 1954 Rose Bowl. He was selected by the Green Bay Packers with the 53rd pick in the fifth round of the 1955 NFL draft.

Earl L. Holmes is an American former professional football linebacker and former head coach at Florida A&M University. He was selected by the Pittsburgh Steelers in the fourth round of the 1996 NFL draft out of Florida A&M University. Holmes was inducted into the FAMU Hall of Fame in July 2005 to join the likes of Alonzo S. "Jake" Gaither and FAMU'S "Famed Final Four of 1952."

<span class="mw-page-title-main">A. J. Hawk</span> American football player and sports analyst (born 1984)

Aaron James Hawk is an American sports analyst and former professional football linebacker who played for 11 seasons in the National Football League (NFL). He was selected by the Green Bay Packers fifth overall in the 2006 NFL draft and he later won Super Bowl XLV with the team. He was also a member of the Cincinnati Bengals and Atlanta Falcons. He played college football for the Ohio State Buckeyes, where he earned All-American honors twice and won the Lombardi Award as a senior. He won the BCS National Championship Game with the Buckeyes as a freshman.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Chad Greenway</span> American football player (born 1983)

Chad Greenway is an American former professional football player who spent his entire 11-year career as a linebacker with the Minnesota Vikings of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Iowa Hawkeyes, and was selected by the Vikings in the first round of the 2006 NFL draft.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Cory Redding</span> American football player (born 1980)

Cory Bartholomew Redding is an American former professional football player who was a defensive tackle in the National Football League (NFL). He was selected by the Detroit Lions in the third round of the 2003 NFL draft and played college football for the Texas Longhorns. Redding also played for the Seattle Seahawks, Baltimore Ravens, Indianapolis Colts, and Arizona Cardinals.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Joe Barry</span> American football coach (born 1970)

Joe Barry is an American football coach who is the linebackers coach and run game coordinator for the Miami Dolphins of the National Football League (NFL). His career includes having served as the assistant head coach and linebackers coach for the Los Angeles Rams, as well as serving as the defensive coordinator for the Washington Redskins, Detroit Lions, and Green Bay Packers. Barry also previously served as an assistant coach for the San Diego Chargers, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and the San Francisco 49ers. Barry is the son of former coach Mike Barry.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Justin Durant</span> American football player (born 1985)

Justin Ryan Durant is an American former professional football player who was a linebacker in the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Hampton Pirates and was selected by the Jacksonville Jaguars in the second round of the 2007 NFL draft. He played in the NFL for the Jaguars, Detroit Lions, Dallas Cowboys and Atlanta Falcons.

The 1985 Tampa Bay Buccaneers season was the franchise's ninth season in the National Football League, the ninth playing their home games at Tampa Stadium and the first season under head coach Leeman Bennett. The team failed to improve on a 6–10 season, once again finishing at 2–14, the same as in 1983.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Brad Jones (American football)</span> American football player (born 1986)

Bradley Edward Jones is an American former professional football linebacker. He was selected by the Green Bay Packers in the seventh round of the 2009 NFL draft, and played college football at Colorado. With the Packers, he was part of their Super Bowl XLV team that beat the Pittsburgh Steelers.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jamie Collins (American football)</span> American football player (born 1989)

Jamie Lee Collins Sr. is an American former professional football linebacker who played in the National Football League (NFL) for 10 seasons, primarily with the New England Patriots. He played college football for the Southern Miss Golden Eagles and was selected by the Patriots in the second round of the 2013 NFL draft. As a member of the Patriots for seven non-consecutive seasons, Collins earned Pro Bowl honors in 2015 when he led the league in forced fumbles and also won Super Bowl XLIX. Outside of his New England tenure, he played three seasons with the Cleveland Browns and two with the Detroit Lions.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Carlo Kemp</span> American football player (born 1998)

Carlo Kemp is a former American football linebacker. He played professionally for the Pittsburgh Maulers of the United States Football League (USFL). He played college football at Michigan.

References

  1. ↑ "Jerry Holmes". Nfl.com. December 22, 1957. Retrieved May 24, 2010.
  2. ↑ "Pittsburgh Post-Gazette - Google News Archive Search".
  3. ↑ "The Day - Google News Archive Search".
  4. ↑ Eskenazi, Gerald (September 3, 1983). "Holmes of Jets to Join U.s.f.l." The New York Times.
  5. ↑ "1984 Pittsburgh Maulers (USFL) - Pro Football Archives".
  6. ↑ "1984 Pittsburgh Maulers football Statistics on StatsCrew.com".
  7. ↑ "Times Daily - Google News Archive Search".
  8. ↑ "Green Bay Packers at Detroit Lions - November 12th, 1989". Pro-Football-Reference.com .
  9. ↑ "Reading Eagle - Google News Archive Search".
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.