A&M’s Coach Holmes Announces Retirement After More Than 40 Remarkable Years
After a successful tenure spanning over 40 years as a student-athlete and coach at Texas A&M, men’s swimming & diving head coach Jay Holmes has announced his plans to retire after the 2024 U.S. Olympic Trials. Holmes’s dedicated service and significant influence on the swimming and diving program will be sorely missed, making his decision a bittersweet milestone in the history of A&M athletics.
A Heartfelt Farewell from Coach Holmes
“It’s been an honor and privilege to represent Texas A&M University with the swimming and diving program,” Holmes said. “It’s been a great run, and I wouldn’t trade it for anything. I’m thankful for all the women and men that I was privileged to coach.” He extended his gratitude to his loved ones and fellow coaching staff, and expressed his anticipation and well wishes for the future of the program under the guidance of new Director, Blaire Anderson.
The announcement comes just as Blaire Anderson has been appointed as Director of Swimming & Diving at Texas A&M.
Bidding Adieu to a Legacy
Having served as the head coach for the past 20 seasons, Holmes has guided the A&M’s men improving& diving program to great heights of success. The Aggies under Holmes have achieved 17 top 25 finishes at 19 NCAA Championships. This includes nearly 100 All-America citations, 45 conference champions, and nine Olympians. This stellar track record highlights Holmes’s significant contribution to the A&M’s legacy.
A Glance at Holmes’s Illustrious Career
Holmes’s tenure as coach saw A&M Swimming & Diving move from the old P.L. Downs Natatorium to the state of the art Student Recreation Natatorium. Holmes’s influence extended far beyond Texas A&M, with his efforts leading the college to host several prestigious events such as the 1998 FINA World Cup, NCAA Men’s Swimming & Diving Championships in 2001 and 2009, and conference championships from three different leagues. Truly, his retirement marks the end of an era for Texas A&M.
The Journey of a Dedicated Aggie
Holmes’s association with Texas A&M started back in 1980 when he joined as a freshman student. After earning four varsity letters, he served as student assistant coach before taking a brief hiatus to start a business. He returned to A&M in 1986 as an assistant coach and took on his role as head coach in 2004, reflecting his everlasting dedication to Texas A&M and the swimming & diving program.