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Nick Holt

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Not to be confused withNicholas Hoult.

Nick Holt
Holt in October2007
Current position
TitleSenior offensive analyst
TeamTexas Tech
ConferenceBig 12
Biographical details
Born(1962-10-15)October 15, 1962(age 61)
Playing career
1981–1985Pacific (CA)
Position(s)Linebacker
Coaching career (HCunless noted)
1986St. Mary's (CA) HS(DC)
1987UNLV(GA)
1988–1989UNLV (DL)
1990–1993Idaho(DL)
1994Idaho (DC/DL)
1995–1997Idaho (DC/LB)
1998–2000Louisville(DL)
2001–2003USC(LB)
2004–2005Idaho
2006–2008USC (DC/DL)
2009–2011Washington(AHC/DC)
2012Arkansas(RC)
2013Western Kentucky(DC)
2014–2016Western Kentucky (AHC/DC)
2016Western Kentucky (interim HC)
2017–2019Purdue(co-DC/LB)
2021Skorpions Varese
2021Texas Tech(OA)
Head coaching record
Overall6–18
Bowls1–0

Nicholas Holt V[1](born October 15, 1962) is anAmerican footballcoach[2]who is currently the head coach of Skorpions Varese of the Federazione Italiana di American Football.[3]Previously he was co-defensive coordinator and linebackers coach atPurdue Universityfor three seasons from 2017 to 2019. Before that he was the defensive coordinator atWestern Kentuckyfrom 2013 to 2016. Earlier in his career, Holt was defensive coordinator and assistant head coach of theWashington Huskies,[4]defensive coordinator anddefensive linecoach of theUSC Trojans,andhead coachof theIdaho Vandalsfrom 2004 to 2005.

Education

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Holt attendedhigh schoolatBellarmine College PreparatoryinSan Jose, California,where he playedfootballandbaseballand graduated in 1981. He enrolled at theUniversity of the PacificinStockton,where he playedlinebackerand lettered for four years for theTigers,redshirtingin 1982 due to injury. In his senior season of 1985, Holt was anAll-Americanhonorable mention, Pacific's MVP and a team captain. During the 1983 season, Pacific's offensive coordinator and assistant head coach was alumnusPete Carroll,whom Holt later worked under atUSC.Holt graduated from UOP in 1986 with abachelor's degreein political economics.

Coaching career

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In 1986, Holt served as defensive coordinator atSt. Mary's High Schoolin Stockton. In 1987, he moved toLas Vegasto coachlinebackersatUNLV,serving as agraduate assistantduring the first season. In 1990 Holt moved north to serve as the defensive line coach atIdahounder head coachJohn L. Smith,thenChris Tormey.After eight seasons inMoscow,he moved east in1998toLouisvilleto coach the defensive line under Smith again. After three seasons with the Cardinals, Holt returned west in2001toLos Angelesto coach the linebackers atUSCunder Carroll, where he stayed for three seasons.

Idaho

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Following the2003 season,Tom Cablewas fired after four seasons atIdaho,the first Vandalshead coachin 22 years to be dismissed. Holt returned to thePalouseand was hired as the head coach,[5][6]signing a four-year contract at $205,000 per year.[7]The Vandals went 3–9 in2004in their last season in theSun Belt Conferenceand 2–9 in2005,their first season in theWAC.[8]

During his short tenure at Idaho, a game was scheduled between the Vandals and his former Trojans for September 1,2007.[9]Holt decided to take the game because it offered an opportunity to increase visibility to recruits in the region as well earn Idaho $600,000 for the appearance.[10]However, despite a contract that ran through 2008, Holt departed after two seasons to return to USC, 19 months before the game was played.

USC

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Holt coaching theTrojansin2008.

When former Idaho quarterback and alumnusScott Linehanbecame head coach of theNFL'sSt. Louis Ramsin January2006,he offered Holt a position as his defensive line coach. The two had coached together under Smith at both Idaho and Louisville. Deciding to make a move before his children entered high school, Holt resigned as head coach from Idaho on February 6,2006,to take the position with the Rams. This occurred just five days after signing 20 new players to Idaho onnational letter of intentday.[7][11][12]

After hearing the news, USC head coachPete Carrolloffered his former assistant more money and the position ofdefensive coordinator.A day later, Holt declined the offer from the Rams (estimated at $320,000 annually,[12]he had not signed a contract) to return to USC, and took over defensive coordinator responsibilities from Carroll.[10]Holt signed a three-year contract exceeding $1.4 million.[12]His second tour at USC also lasted three seasons, while the Trojans posted a 34–5 record (.872).

Washington

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In December 2008,USC Trojansoffensive coordinatorand colleagueSteve Sarkisianwas hired as the head coach of theWashington HuskiesinSeattle.Sarkisian and Holt coached their final game with the Trojans, theRose Bowl,on January 1, 2009. Though it meant moving the family while the children were in high school, on January 5, 2009, Holt accepted the position ofdefensive coordinatorat Washington, taking over forEd Donatell,who was not retained by Sarkisian.[4]Holt signed a three-year contract valued at $2.1 million.[13]

At the end of Holt's second season at UW in2010,the Husky defense appeared improved as the team went on a three-game winning streak to finish the regular season and become bowl-eligible, capped with a 19–7 victory overNebraskain theHoliday Bowl.

2011 season

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While2011saw the emergence of sophomore quarterbackKeith Priceand improvement on offense, the Huskies were ranked near the bottom in the conference and nationally on defense (of 120 FBS teams: 106th in yards allowed, 108th in points allowed, 116th in passing yards allowed).[14]Washington broke to an early 5–1 record and was bowl-eligible in October, but lost three straight in November before winning theApple Cupto finish the regular season at 7–5. The five losses were not close games, with copious points and yardage yielded on defense, including 65 points atStanford,with most of the damage coming from the Cardinal running game, not quarterbackAndrew Luck.At theAlamo Bowl,the Huskies facedBaylor,withHeisman TrophywinnerRobert Griffin IIIat quarterback. Similar to the Stanford game, the Huskies generally contained the high-profile quarterback, but were soundly beaten by the rest of the offense. Despite scoring eight touchdowns on offense, the Huskies gave up 67 points and 777 yards on defense, and lost by 11 points.[15][16]Holt was fired two days later, as were linebackers coach Mike Cox and safeties coach Jeff Mills. All three coaches had contracts through the2012 season,[17]totaling over $1 million.[1][18]Cornerbacks coachDemetrice Martinleft the staff two weeks earlier forUCLAunder new head coachJim Mora.[19]Johnny Nansen, defensive line and special teams, was the only defensive coach remaining on the UW staff at the end of 2011.[17][20]The three released coaches were given lump sum payments for the 2012 season: Holt ($650,004), Cox ($220,008), Mills ($155,004).[16][21]Cox went toKansas Stateas the linebackers coach and Mills toNew Mexicoas defensive coordinator.[22]

Arkansas

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In August2012,Holt was named the on-campus recruiting coordinator atArkansas,under new head coach John L. Smith.[2]The position was previously held byJessica Dorrell,the mistress of fired head coachBobby Petrino,at a salary of $55,735 per year. Holt was scheduled to receive similar compensation.[23]

Western Kentucky

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On January 2,2013,Holt was named defensive coordinator atWestern Kentucky,under new head coach Bobby Petrino, hired by WKU afterWillie Taggartleft forSouth Florida.[24]Holt and Petrino served together on Smith's staff at Idaho in 1990 and 1991 and again at Louisville in1998.After Petrino left following the 2013 season, Holt turned down the offer to follow Petrino to Louisville,[24]and served the next three seasons at WKU underJeff Brohm.When Brohm was hired byPurduein December 2016, Holt was promoted to interim head coach for theBoca Raton Bowl,[25]and the Hilltoppers defeated theMemphis Tigers51–31.[26]He was considered a candidate for the full-time head coaching job, but Western Kentucky hiredMike Sanford Jr..[27]

Purdue

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Holt followed Brohm toPurdueand was hired as defensive coordinator on January 2,2017.[28]After three seasons, he was fired on December 9,2019.[29]

Skorpions Varese

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On October 16, 2020, Skorpions Varese hired Holt as their head coach for the upcoming 2021 season.[3]

Personal life

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Born October 15, 1962, Holt and his wife, Julie Hickey Holt (the latter former women'sbasketballprogramhead coachat Nevada-Reno, Pacific, Gonzaga, Idaho, and Los Angeles Harbor Junior College), have 2 sons, Nick VI and Ben.[30]Holt's maternal grandfather wasBuster Crabbe(1908–83), anAll-Americanswimmer at USC and gold medalist in the400 m freestyleat the1932 Olympicswho later starred in film such asTarzan,Flash Gordon,andBuck Rogers.[31]

Head coaching record

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Year Team Overall Conference Standing Bowl/playoffs
Idaho Vandals(Sun Belt Conference)(2004)
2004 Idaho 3–9 2–5 T–7th
Idaho Vandals(Western Athletic Conference)(2005)
2005 Idaho 2–9 2–6 T–6th
Idaho: 5–18 4–11
Western Kentucky Hilltoppers(Conference USA)(2016)
2016 Western Kentucky 1–0 – T–1st(East) WBoca Raton‡
Western Kentucky: 1–0 – ‡ Interim head coach for bowl, replacingJeff Brohm
Total: 6–18
National championshipConference titleConference division title or championship game berth

References

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  1. ^abSpokesman-ReviewArchivedJune 4, 2012, at theWayback Machine- Washington State Employee Salaries - Assistant football coach employees - Univ. of Washington - 2010 compensation - accessed December 31, 2011
  2. ^ab"Holt named On-Campus Recruiting Coordinator".University of Arkansas Athletics. August 15, 2012. Archived fromthe originalon June 30, 2013.RetrievedAugust 16,2012.
  3. ^ab"Italy's Varese Skorpions sign former Purdue DC Nick Holt as head coach".American Football International.
  4. ^ab"Holt takes over Washington's defense".ESPN. Associated Press. January 5, 2009.RetrievedJanuary 5,2009.
  5. ^Meehan, Jim (December 9, 2003)."It's official: Holt Idaho's head man".Spokesman-Review.p. C1.
  6. ^"Idaho names USC's Holt head coach".SI. Associated Press. December 9, 2003.RetrievedSeptember 8,2013.
  7. ^ab"Idaho coach Holt confirms exit for NFL's Rams".ESPN. Associated Press. February 8, 2006.RetrievedSeptember 8,2013.
  8. ^College Football Data WarehouseArchivedMay 25, 2011, at theWayback Machine- Nick Holt - head coaching record - accessed October 9, 2009
  9. ^Gary Klein,Opener against Idaho is Holt's legacy,Los Angeles Times,August 27, 2007.
  10. ^abMatt Baney,About to renew acquaintancesArchivedSeptember 28, 2007, at theWayback Machine,Lewiston Tribune,August 29, 2007.
  11. ^Meehan, Jim (February 2, 2006)."Holt fills some holes".Spokesman-Review.p. C3.
  12. ^abcMeehan, Jim (February 8, 2006)."Holt 'soap opera' takes turn".Spokesman-Review.p. C1.
  13. ^Ruiz, Don (January 7, 2009)."Nick Holt's intensity comes with a price".Tacoma News Tribune.Archived fromthe originalon September 14, 2012.RetrievedSeptember 8,2013.
  14. ^"College football statistics: 2011, national".cfbstats.RetrievedAugust 16,2012.
  15. ^"Washington fires Nick Holt".ESPN. Associated Press. December 31, 2011.RetrievedSeptember 8,2013.
  16. ^abMiller, Ted (December 31, 2011)."Alamo was a disaster for Holt".ESPN.RetrievedSeptember 8,2013.
  17. ^ab"Holt, Mills, Cox fired - Husky blog".Seattle Times.December 31, 2011.RetrievedSeptember 8,2013.
  18. ^Seattle Times- All UW assistants signed through 2012 season (or about to be) - Husky blog - April 6, 2011
  19. ^Seattle Times- Huskies lose cornerbacks coach Demetrice Martin to UCLA - Husky blog - December 14, 2011
  20. ^Go HuskiesArchivedSeptember 25, 2011, at theWayback Machine- University of Washington athletics - football - coaches - accessed December 31, 2011
  21. ^Condotta, Bob (December 31, 2011)."Huskies fire defensive coordinator Nick Holt, two other defensive assistant coaches".Seattle Times.RetrievedAugust 16,2012.
  22. ^Condotta, Bob (August 8, 2012)."Husky football blog: Nick Holt headed to Arkansas".Seattle Times.RetrievedAugust 16,2012.
  23. ^Henry, Larry (August 15, 2012)."Arkansas names Nick Holt to job held by Petrino's mistress".KFSM TV.RetrievedAugust 16,2012.
  24. ^abZach Greenwell (January 13, 2014)."WKU's Holt turns down Louisville to help build 'sleeping giant'".bgdailynews.Bowling Green Daily News.RetrievedJanuary 13,2017.
  25. ^Peter Burke (December 7, 2016)."Western Kentucky's Nick Holt insists Boca Raton Bowl isn't about him".local10.WPLG Inc.RetrievedJanuary 13,2017.
  26. ^Adam Lichtenstein (December 20, 2016)."Wales leads WKU to bowl win over Memphis".courier-journal.Courier-Journal.RetrievedJanuary 13,2017.
  27. ^"How will Western Kentucky's offense fare under interim head coach?".ESPN.ESPN Internet Ventures. December 18, 2016.RetrievedJanuary 13,2017.
  28. ^Nathan Baird (January 2, 2017)."Purdue's Brohm announces eight new hires".jconline.Lafayette Journal & Courier.RetrievedJanuary 13,2017.
  29. ^Mike Carmin (December 9, 2019)."Purdue co-defensive coordinator Nick Holt won't return in 2020".jconline.Lafayette Journal & Courier.RetrievedDecember 9,2019.
  30. ^USCTrojans"- Bio for Nick Holt, USC Defensive Coordinator, 2006–08 - accessed July 25, 2012
  31. ^Condotta, Bob (January 6, 2009)."UW football hires USC's Nick Holt as defensive coordinator".Seattle Times.RetrievedAugust 16,2012.
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