Coach Holmes enters his 30th year of coaching.  His team philosophy is, “Together the Impossible Becomes Possible.”  Coach Holmes has a broad aquatic background, having worked with all levels from Learn-to-Swim programs to Boys and Girls HS, USA Swimming and Masters Teams. 

In 1986 Coach Holmes received a BA in Business Administration from Clarion University, Pa.  In 1990 he received his degree in Business Education from Iona College and in 1995 his Masters in Multicultural Education from Iona College.  He is currently a teacher of 19 years with the North Rockland CSD. Coach Holmes has also helped TRS/NRHS swimmers excel in the classroom as evidenced by the NRHS Boys Swimming and Diving Team receiving the NYS Scholar Athlete Team Award for the 9th consecutive year.

As member of the Clarion Golden Eagle Men’s Swimming and Diving Team he held 3 School and National (Div. II) records along with All-American Honors.  Coach Holmes also coaches and competes for Team Rockland/Metro Masters.  He represented TRS at 5 Masters National Championships and Team Rockland/USA at the World Masters Championships in Riccione, Italy (2004) and San Francisco (2006). As a result of his dedication and commitment to the sport Coach Holmes received the 2007 NYS, Section I Coach of the Year.

He emphasizes advanced land and water training and race strategies.  His expertise is focused on refining both mechanical and technical aspects of strokes and how it applies to racing.