Hampton's New Football Coach

Holmes has faith in himself Hampton University coach Jerry Holmes built his success on strong values and self-confidence. By Marty O'Brien January 2, 2008 Events unfolded so quickly and unexpectedly last Saturday that Hampton University football fans barely have had time to process them. Joe Taylor departed for Florida A&M after 16 seasons as the Pirates' coach, and Hampton defensive coordinator Jerry Holmes ascended to head coach. So the questions linger. Who is this Jerry Holmes guy now in charge of black-college football's most successful program? Does he have what it takes to follow in the beloved Taylor's footsteps? Holmes, 50, will begin to provide the answers when he is introduced at 2 p.m. today as the Pirates' coach. A clue lies in the values he prizes -- hard work, physical football and honesty. His belief in himself is unwavering. Always has been. That's how he starred on Bethel High's 1974 Group AAA state championship team as a blocking wide receiver, though he weighed only 145 pounds soaking wet. That's why he rose from junior-college walk-on to scholarship defensive back at West Virginia University, where he now resides in the Hall of Fame. And it explains how he lasted 12 years at cornerback in the NFL and U.S. Football League despite a nightmarish first play in 1980 with the New York Jets against the 49ers... Complete story: Holmes has faith in himself -- dailypress.com