Former Texas A&M Diving Coach Jay Holmes Joins Arizona
Arizona has added Jay Holmes as an assistant diving coach, a year after Holmes retired from coaching at Texas A&M.
Arizona made the announcement on Monday. Holmes has 40 years of experience with the Aggies, including 21 seasons as the head coach from 2004-24, before stepping away from coaching last summer.
“I am very grateful to Coach Loorz, his staff, and the University of Arizona for this opportunity,” Holmes said in a university statement. “Arizona Swimming & Diving has a great history and great tradition. Being part of that is a privilege I am excited about. Taking time away from coaching last year allowed me to experience a lot of life that I would not have been able to do otherwise. As much as I enjoyed that time, it’s time to get back at it. My wife and I look forward to arriving in Tucson and starting our adventure as Wildcats!”
Holmes has coached nine Olympians, 77 All-Americans and two Conference Divers of the Year. He was the 2004-05 Big 12 men’s coach of the year.
Holmes spent 19 years as an assistant coach at A&M, for both the men’s and women’s program from 1986-95 and the men’s program exclusively from 1995-2004. Holmes swam for the Aggies from 1980-84, graduating with a bachelor’s degree in business administration in 1984.
“We are excited to welcome Coach Holmes and his wife Annette to the Wildcat Family,” Arizona head coach Ben Loorz said. “Jay has been a beacon of professionalism and character in the NCAA for a long time. I know the staff will benefit from his experience, and the athletes from his ability to connect.”
