Kenny Holmes Named Defensive Coordinator

SEBASTIAN — Sebastian River High School football coach Randy Bethel helped recruit Kenny Holmes to the University of Miami when Holmes was a senior at Vero Beach High School, and now almost two decades later, he is bringing the former defensive end to his staff at Sebastian River.

Holmes, who played seven seasons in the NFL, takes over as the Sharks' new defensive coordinator, replacing Tony Perry, who will remain on staff in a different role.

A former defensive coordinator at Vero Beach for two years, Holmes spent last season as an assistant coach at New Mexico State University but resigned and returned home to Vero Beach about a month ago.

"He's an outstanding football coach," Bethel said. "He's got a wealth of experience to bring to what we are trying to do, and he enhances our program. Any time you can upgrade in anything you are doing, it's best to do that.

"Having him on our staff is an upgrade. We saw the opportunity, and it just worked out."

Bethel, also a Vero Beach High School alumnus, played for the Hurricanes from 1987-90 and was Holmes' host during his official visit at Miami in 1992. The two have remained friends since and talk on the phone often, so when Bethel learned Holmes was not returning to New Mexico State, he invited Holmes to attend a practice and take a look at the Sharks in their spring game against Treasure Coast.

Holmes liked what he saw and accepted when Bethel asked him to join his staff.

"What he's teaching the kids before sending them off to college, helping them in the classroom and helping them transcend into young men, I felt I could learn from what he was doing and I could help the program out at the same time," Holmes said. "The situation with Randy was a perfect opportunity to get back in the area and allow me to coach at a high level and continue to do the things I've learned as a player and coach.

"It just so happened he had the position available to hire a coordinator, and I just happened to come home around the same exact time, so it worked out great for both of us."


(tcpalm.com)