By Tom Peavy

Published: May 8, 2008

In looking for a new football coach, Glenwood decided to go with a familiar face.

Chris Holmes was recently named as Glenwood’s new football coach, replacing Tripp Henderson, who left the school to take over at B.B. Comer in Sylacauga.

Holmes has been at Glenwood for five years and has been an assistant football, baseball and basketball coach in that time. He was the head coach of the Gators’ JV squad last year.

“We’ve had success with internal hires in the past,” Glenwood athletic director Tim Fanning said. “He’s a fantastic teacher and his work ethic is unrivaled.

“Going with someone already on staff just made for an easy transition because the kids and other coaches are familiar with him.”

Holmes said he is getting into a great situation as head coach because of what Henderson did with the program before leaving.

“It’s an absolute gold mine,” Holmes said. “Tripp did a great job of turning that program around and there are a lot of great athletes here.

“It’s just a great situation, and I’m excited.”

The job will be Holmes’ first as a varsity head coach.

But that had little effect on the decision process as Henderson also entered as a first-time head coach in 2006.

With Henderson at the helm, the Gators reached the AISA Class 3A playoffs twice and had nine-win seasons in each year.

And Holmes said a lot of what Henderson did with the Gators will remain — with some twists of his own thrown in.

“It’s too early to tell how much may or may not change, but I do know we’re going to throw it more,” Holmes said. “We’re still going to run it most of the time and it will be a similar offensive scheme as what we’ve been running.”

Holmes went to high school at Baker in Mobile where he was a multi-sport athlete.

He eventually graduated from Auburn University and has been in the teaching profession for 17 years.

From 1991-2002 Holmes taught and coached at Opelika High. While with the Bulldogs he served as an assistant baseball and basketball coach.

| 737-2568