Holmes represents new era at FAMU

TALLAHASSEE, Florida  --  Friday was a big day. Only the day that FAMU gets a new football stadium will be bigger.

It was big for FAMU. It was big for Earl Holmes. Big for Athletic Director Derek Horne.

Even bigger for FAMU football.

Just listen to interim president Larry Robinson as he puts his spin on what it means to have Holmes as the new FAMU head coach.

“We thought in the end coach Holmes was the best choice for us at this time in the illustrious history of this institution,” Robinson said.

Not that John Eason or John Hendrick, the other two finalists for the job, weren’t good enough, mind you.

Maybe Eason, who is approaching 70, might have had his best day as a coach. It could have been that Hendrick just didn’t stay long enough at any of the jobs on his resume that showed he might have been some issues with his style.

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Holmes takes over at FAMU

Emotional Holmes thrilled, thankful: 'I owe this university my life.'

Earl Holmes’ tenure as head football coach at Florida A&M University was just a few minutes old when he lost his first matchup.

He had no shot at winning, really. Not even with this sort of home-field advantage.

After looking at all the familiar faces packed into the fourth-floor meeting room at the Lawson Center, Holmes followed his scripted game plan by acknowledging the people who helped him become the 16th head coach in FAMU’s storied history.

But after thanking his mom and wife and son, who were all sitting just a few feet in front of him, Holmes suffered his first setback as head coach.

His voice cracked. He ducked his head to hide the tears in his eyes. And he briefly backed away from the podium as his emotions took over.

“I can’t believe I’m doing this,” Holmes said, hoping a laugh would stave off the tears. “My wife’s going to kill me.”

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