WATCH: Meet John Holmes, New Titusville High Head Coach Looks to Boost Terriers on Gridiron

Holmes coached defensive line, linebackers for 2021 state finalist Merritt Island Mustangs

WATCH: Titusville High School’s new head football coach John Holmes sat down with Space Coast Daily’s Jordan Rocco to discuss his new position and his vision for the Terriers’ football program.

BREVARD COUNTY, FLORIDA – Titusville High School’s new head football coach John Holmes sat down with Space Coast Daily’s Jordan Rocco to discuss his new position and his vision for the Terriers’ football program.

Last season the Terriers went 0-10 and lost a total of seven seniors.

Holmes is the third head coach at Titusville since 2017 and said he is focused on bringing the Terriers back to prominence.

“I look forward to the Titusville Terriers becoming a strong program once again,” said Holmes.

Holmes grew up in Brevard County and played football for the Raiders from 2001 to 2005. He was an outside linebacker and a part of Rockledge’s back-to-back state championship victories in 2001 and 2002.

He had a tremendous senior year at Rockledge, recording 70 tackles, 10 sacks (-86 yards), 8 pass breakups, and a fumble recovery for Space Coast Sports Hall of Fame Coach Chuck Wood. A versatile ahtlete, Holmes was also named All-Space Coast in track.

His effort on the gridiron didn’t go unnoticed as Holmes earned the opportunity to play football at West Virginia University, beginning in 2005, and started as a true freshman on special teams for the Mountaineers.

Holmes led the team in sacks during his junior and senior years, and during his college career, recorded 119 tackles, 9 sacks, 2 forced fumbles and had one interception.

Holmes played in four bowl games including the Sugar Bowl, Gator Bowl, Fiesta Bowl and Meineke Car Care Bowl.

While Holmes was at West Virginia he majored in athletic coaching education and graduated in 2008. He began his coaching career through an internship program at West Virginia University coaching Special Olympic athletes locally.

Holmes then returned to Brevard County to coach Rockledge youth little league football and was the junior varsity Rockledge football head coach in 2009. In 2010, he became the Raiders’ varsity assistant football coach and started coaching girls track and field, and girls basketball.

In 2016, Holmes became the defensive line and linebackers coach at Merritt Island High School and was an important part of the coaching staff that led the Mustangs to a FHSAA 5A State Championship game in December.

While Holmes was coaching at Merritt Island he continued to coach Rockledge girls basketball and track through the 2021 season.

Not only has Holmes been coaching three different sports, he was also raising his two sons, John Jr., 10, and 5-year-old Javon.

Chips off the Old Block, John Jr. is excelling on Rockledge’s 10U football team and Javon was a part of the 2021 Rockledge Flag Football Super Bowl Championship team.

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