Clayton Kendrick-Holmes, a 1992 graduate of the United States Naval Academy, begins his fourth season at the helm of Maritime’s football program. Coach Kendrick-Holmes started Maritime’s program from scratch in 2005 (club team) and led the Privateers into NCAA Division 3 status for the 2006 season. Despite playing the last two season with mostly freshman and sophomores, the team has been competitive and has garnered national rankings in both Rushing Offense (26th) and Total Defense (49th). His strong leadership combined with skills in program development and recruiting make for a promising future for Maritime Football.
Coach Kendrick-Holmes comes to Maritime from the Naval Academy Preparatory School (NAPS) where he coached a total of seven seasons, the last two as the Head Coach. Coach Kendrick-Holmes, led the NAPS team to a 14-6 overall record. Additionally, he coordinated the defense which held opponents to less than 16 points per game. One of his biggest achievements at NAPS was increasing the graduation rate amongst football players up to 67%, twelve points higher than it had been when he took over the program. Kendrick-Holmes holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Oceanography from the Naval Academy and was a two-time letter winner for the Midshipmen.
His initial assignment after receiving a commission as an Ensign in the Navy was at NAPS where he served as a midshipman candidate mentor and defensive backs coach for the football team.
After the 1992 season, Kendrick-Holmes was assigned to the USS ROBERT G. BRADLEY (FFG-49) where he spent three years, serving time as the Assistant Navigator, Administration Officer, and Damage Control Assistant.
Upon completion of his three-year tour, Kendrick-Holmes returned to coaching at NAPS, working with the linebackers and defensive backs for three seasons. He also served as an instructor of the Damage Control course at the Surface Warfare Officers School in Newport, RI.
In 1999, Kendrick-Holmes left active duty in the Navy to pursue a coaching career and was hired by The Citadel, a Division 1-AA military school in Charleston, South Carolina. While at The Citadel, he served as the recruiting coordinator along with coaching the outside linebackers for one season and the defensive line for two seasons. In 2001, The Citadel’s defense ranked third in the Southern Conference allowing just 18 points per game.
A native of LaFayette, Alabama, Kendrick-Holmes currently resides in Throggs Neck, NY with his wife Johanna and two sons Bo and Wills.
[Last updated – 7/18/07]
