Kenny Holmes Named FIU’s Defensive Line Coach
Head Coach Butch Davis announced on Thursday the addition of Kenny Holmes to the FIU football staff. Holmes will serve as the Panthers' defensive line coach. Holmes brings a wealth of knowledge to FIU, having coached on all levels for the past eight seasons following seven successful years as a player in the NFL.
"Kenny Holmes will bring a ton of experience in developing and coaching our defensive line," Davis said. "I'm thrilled to have him as an assistant coach here at FIU. I coached Kenny in college and saw him go onto become a first-round draft pick and have a successful NFL career. He's now taken that success as a player and has used it in his coaching career. He cares about his players, he's a great father and a terrific person. His addition to our staff will be extremely valuable to the program." Holmes comes to FIU after spending two seasons as the defensive line coach at the University of Idaho. This past season, Holmes helped guide the Vandals to their first bowl appearance since 2009. Prior to his stint with the Vandals, Holmes served as the associate head coach/defensive line coach at the University of San Diego before spending three seasons at the New Mexico Military Institute.
He helped lead NMMI to the 2013 El Taro Bowl championship. In addition, he helped to produce the 2013 No. 1 and No. 6 rated defensive ends in junior college football. He got his start in collegiate coaching as a graduate assistant at New Mexico State (2011-12). A graduate of Vero Beach High School, Holmes served as his alma mater's defensive coordinator/defensive line coach from 2008-2011.
Holmes' playing credentials speak for him. A graduate of the University of Miami, he was taken in the first round of the 1997 NFL Draft by the Tennessee Oilers. As the franchise's first draft choice in its inaugural season, he tied for the team lead in sacks and was selected for the NFL 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 seven successful seasons in the NFL, Holmes retired as one of the top defensive ends in the league with career stats of 289 tackles and 39 sacks.