Kendrick-Holmes Steps Down as Maritime Head Football Coach

THROGGS NECK, N.Y. – Leaving a lasting legacy of success on the field, achievement in the classroom and involvement in the community, Maritime head football coach Clayton Kendrick-Holmes will be stepping down from his coaching position before the start of the 2018 season as announced by Maritime Director of Athletics Kristofer Schnatz on Wednesday. Kendrick-Holmes will be assuming a role with the United States Military Academy in West Point, New York as the Director of Football Operations, where he will coordinate all team support activities, both internally and externally. "We would like to thank Coach Kendrick-Holmes for his years of continuous service to our football team and athletics program," commented Schnatz. "His dedication and leadership has had a positive impact on our students, team and alumni. Coach Kendrick-Holmes' focus on individual growth, team execution and program tradition has left a lasting influence on the experience of our student-athletes." Admiral Michael Alfultis, President SUNY Maritime College, also acknowledged Coach Kendrick-Holmes service to Maritime College: "On behalf of our students, staff, faculty and alumni, I would like to thank Coach Kendrick-Holmes for his leadership and commitment to Maritime College. We fully support the entire Kendrick-Holmes family during this transition period and wish them future success." "I'd like to thank everyone at Maritime for allowing our family to be a part of the fabric of the college for all these years" said Kendrick-Holmes. "We have been supported by everyone and every department on campus and have developed lifelong friendships along the way. A special thanks to Admiral and Kim Alfultis, Kris Schnatz and our strong and growing alumni group who helped make so much possible." "There is a unique work ethic and character surrounding the Maritime Family and I was proud to be a part of this," he added. "My goal each day was to do my best to create a championship environment for our team which would allow our players and coaches to reach their full potential on and off the field. No success would have been possible without the dedication and commitment of the many players, coaches and parents over the years. They have made this job incredibly rewarding." Kendrick-Holmes leaves Maritime with an NCAA career record of 63-55 (.534) in 12 playing seasons. The winningest football coach in Maritime history, Kendrick-Holmes was tasked with regenerating the Maritime football team after a two-decade hiatus. He was accepted the position in May 2005, which followed a previous position at the Naval Academy Preparatory School. In addition to his 63 wins, Kendrick-Holmes led the program to three postseason berths including an Eastern Collegiate Football Championship and trip to the NCAA Division III Football Championship in 2010 following what is still the only undefeated conference season since the league's inception in 2009. He was selected as the American Football Coaches Association District I Coach of the Year as well as the D3football.com East Region Coach of the year in 2010, following his recognition as ECFC Coach of the Year the same season. Throughout his tenure, Kendrick-Holmes has led 543 student-athletes, including 100 who participated in the all four seasons of eligibility. During his time at the helm of the program, the team has generated one postseason All-American, one preseason All-American, 10 All-Region and 121 All-Conference players. Away from the field the team has seen 10 individual selections to the CoSIDA Academic All-District Team as well as seven State University of New York (SUNY) Chancellor Scholar-Athlete Award Winners. Twenty-nine student-athletes have also earned ECFCAcademic All-Conference accolades since its inception in 2010. A native of LaFayette, Alabama, Kendrick-Holmes holds a Bachelor's of Science Degree in Oceanography from the United States Naval Academy, and was a two-time letter-winner for the Midshipmen. Upon graduation from the Naval Academy, he was assigned to the USS Robert G. Bradley, where he spent three years, serving time as the Assistant Navigator, Administration Officer, and Damage Control Assistant. In 1999, he left the active duty Navy to pursue a coaching career and was hired by The Citadel in Charleston, S.C., where he served as the recruiting coordinator along with coaching the outside linebackers for one season and the defensive line for two seasons. Kendrick-Holmes will be leaving the Maritime campus with his wife Johanna and son, Wills, a rising high school senior. His oldest son, Bo, is currently a Midshipman at the U.S. Naval Academy. A transition plan is underway, and the college will provide a staffing update in the near future. The team's preseason training will go on as scheduled.