Christopher Holmes is one of the most dynamic and respected offensive line coaches in college football, with a decade-long track record of transforming offensive fronts into dominant, violent, and detail-driven units. A proven technician, elite developer, and run-game architect, Holmes has produced Top 20 national rankings in rushing efficiency, yards per carry, sacks allowed, and TFL allowed everywhere he has coached.
Across his career, Holmes has built a reputation as a culture changer—a coach whose offensive lines play fast, physical, disciplined, and fundamentally sound. He has coached 20+ All-Conference performers, 4+ All-Americans, 4 Legacy Bowl selections, and multiple NFL players including Josh Williams, Kion Smith, and Golden Ukonu. His recruiting reach, NFL relationships, and player-development system make him one of the most impactful trench coaches in the country.
Holmes currently serves as the Offensive Line Coach, Run Game Coordinator, Recruiting Coordinator, and Pro Liaison at Winston-Salem State University. Holmes has elevated WSSU into a nationally recognized offensive line factory. His units are known for elite efficiency, physicality, and consistency—ranking #1 in the CIAA multiple seasons in both sacks allowed and TFL allowed, while stacking national Top 10 and Top 20 finishes year after year.
2025 Season Highlights
· 166 rushing yards per game
· 29+ points per game
· Top 10 National Rankings:
o #9 in total TFL Allowed
o #9 in total Sacks Allowed (13 total)
o #7 in Yards Per Carry (6.01)
· #2 in the CIAA in Sacks Allowed, Total Rushing Yards, Rushing Yards per Game, Rushing Yards per Carry
· #1 in CIAA in total TFL Allowed
· #1 among all HBCUs (Division 2) in TFL Allowed
2024 Season Highlights
· #1 in the CIAA in TFL Allowed
· #1 among all HBCUs in TFL Allowed
· #9 Nationally in Total TFL Allowed
· #1 in the CIAA in Sacks Allowed (6 total)
· Set the school Sacks Allowed Record (6 total)
· #1 among all HBCUs in Sacks Allowed
· #3 Nationally in Sacks Allowed
· 150 rushing yards per game
· #15 Nationally in 3rd Down Conversion Percentage
2023 Season Highlights
· 126 rushing yards per game overall
· 138 rushing yards per game in CIAA play
· #1 in the CIAA in TFL Allowed
· #11 Nationally in Total TFL Allowed
2022 Season Highlights
· 141 rushing yards per game
· #1 in the CIAA in Sacks Allowed
· #16 Nationally in Sacks Allowed
· #1 in the CIAA in TFL Allowed
Holmes’ OL units at WSSU are known for violence at the point of attack, airtight protection, and disciplined execution — setting the tone for the entire program.
Before arriving at WSSU, Holmes played a major role in Fayetteville State’s rise to conference prominence (2017-2021). During his five-year tenure, the Broncos captured four Southern Division Championships while operating some of the top run-game systems in Division II. His units produced elite results, including 216 rushing YPG in 2018 (#26 nationally), 190 rushing YPG and a Top 35 scoring offense in 2019, and 30.3 PPG with the fewest sacks allowed in the CIAA in 2021. He also helped develop NFL OT Kion Smith and FSU all-time leading rusher Stevie Green. Holmes recruited Josh Williams who was a 4th round draft pick in the 2022 NFL Draft.
At Elizabeth City State University (2016), Holmes revamped the offense, rebuilt the OL, installed the system, and elevated structure, teaching, and consistency as Co-OC and OL Coach.
Holmes continued his development at Mississippi Valley State (2014-2015), coaching running backs, tight ends, and Asst offensive line coach, contributing to offensive line instruction. He also served as Video Coordinator, overseeing all film operations. During this time, he coached Booker Chambers, the 2015 SWAC Freshman of the Year, and played a key role in building versatile skill-position units.
Holmes began his collegiate coaching journey at Jackson State University, serving as a Graduate Assistant (2011) before moving into an assistant coach role (2012-2013) working with tight ends and the offensive line. He contributed to back-to-back SWAC Eastern Division Championships, handled daily positional development, and supported game-planning and defensive front analysis. His time at JSU was foundational in shaping his technical teaching style and player-first coaching approach.
Holmes holds a Master’s in Sports Science and a bachelor’s in mathematics from Jackson State University, where he was also a two-year letterman. He also holds an associate’s degree From Grand Rapids Community College where was also a two-year letterman. His coaching philosophy centers on discipline, detail, player development, and building offensive fronts that set the tone for entire programs.
