Mike Holmes, a man who has spent the last 37 years of his life on the football field, has decided it is time to step down from his position as head football coach at Muskegon Catholic Central.
The 59-year-old has spent the last 25 years on the Crusader’s sideline as the man behind the magic. While coaching at MCC Holmes has led the Crusaders to 212 wins and six state championships.
In the area, Holmes comes second in all-time career wins behind Oakridge’s Jack Schugars. As head coach, Holmes led the Crusaders to state titles in 1990, 1991, 1995, 2000, 2006, 2008, and a state runner up title in 2001. This year the Crusaders went 9-4 in the regular season and had a run in the playoffs beating No. 1 ranked Mendon in the Division 8 regional finals. The Crusaders battled hard with Harbor Beach in the state semifinals but came up short, losing 32-27.
Holmes is a West Michigan native, graduating from Kalamazoo Hackett Catholic Central and continuing his education and football career at Kalamazoo College.
Holmes is also a teacher at Muskegon Catholic Central and plans to retire from that position after this school year.
After his retirement, Holmes plans on traveling to visit his two daughters who live out of state and a nephew,who is following in the football footsteps -playing in Florida. Holmes is not going to be giving up football forever, he says he will be more than happy to help out the football program in the future, but is looking forward to taking some time for himself next fall.
A replacement for Muskegon Catholic has not been named, but a decision is expected soon.
