One of the finest defensive linemen to pass through Army's storied grid program, Clarence Holmes is in his 10th year along the Black Knights' sideline and enters his ninth season as a full-time staff member. Holmes once again works with Army's defense this fall, concentrating on the defensive tackles.
In additon to his work at West Point, Holmes participated in the NFL/NCAA Expert Coaches Academy in 2012. He also completed a fellowship with the Miami Dolphins in 2012.
Holmes served dual roles on the Army staff from 2006-09, mentoring the densive line and serving as head coach of the junior varsity squad.
As a graduate assistant coach in 2003, Holmes was handed a wealth of responsibility midway through the season after then-defensive line coach John Mumford was elevated to interim head coach in October. Through the remainder of the campaign, Holmes worked daily with the Black Knights' linemen.
Holmes was a two-time team captain who lettered in each of his four years in the Black, Gold and Gray. He amassed 121 career tackles while splitting his time between the defensive tackle and defensive end positions. Holmes appeared in 37 games during his Black Knight career, earning starting assignments in 23 outings. He was selected to play in the 2003 East-West Shrine Game, and earned the team's Thomas Hammond Award as the program's top lineman.
The Decatur, Ga., native graduated as Army's all-time leader in quarterback sacks (11.5) and currently stands second in the program's annals. Holmes also presently ranks seventh on the program's career tackles-for-loss leader board (26). His seven sacks in 2001 tied Army's single-season record at the time.
Following graduation, Holmes completed his Field Artillery Officer Basic Course in 2004 before returning to the Academy's grid staff. He finished his military career with the rank of captain.
Holmes and his wife, Dawn, live at West Point, with their five children: daughters, Isabelle and Ovadyah, and sons, Elijah, Ephraim and Ethan.
