Tufts University men’s basketball head coach Brandon Linton announced the hiring of James Holmes as an assistant coach for the upcoming 2023-24 season.
“I am thrilled to have James join our program,” said Linton. “He brings a winning pedigree with him as he’s been a part of some great programs prior to joining us here at Tufts. James is passionate about building relationships and a relentless worker. He has a bright future in this business and I can’t wait to see him have an impact on our players lives.”
Holmes joins the Jumbo staff after serving as an assistant coach at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute in Troy, NY for the previous two seasons. During his time at RPI, Holmes helped the Engineers to 42 wins including an appearance in the Sweet 16 in the 2022 NCAA Tournament. He also was part of the 2022 Liberty League Coaching Staff of the Year after helping the squad finish the year ranked No. 21 in the D3hoops.com poll.
Prior to his time at RPI, Holmes was was an assistant for two seasons at Oswego State in Oswego, NY, where he helped the Lakers to a NCAA Sweet 16 appearance in 2019 along with a SUNYAC title. Holmes also had a two-year stint as a graduate assistant and student assistant at his alma mater SUNY Oneonta. In addition to his coaching appointments, he has experience working camps at Columbia University, Yale University, University of Virginia, Dartmouth College, Skidmore College, University of Rochester and the University of Albany.
“I am grateful and humbled by the opportunity Coach Linton has provided me to join the Tufts Men’s Basketball coaching staff,” said Holmes. “I am beyond excited to work with our student athletes both on and off the court. Tufts is a special place with a strong academic reputation and basketball tradition. I can’t wait to be a part of it.”
Holmes earned a bachelor’s degree in history in 2016 and a Master’s in school counseling in 2018, both from Oneonta.
A graduate of Shaker High School, where he played basketball and baseball, he comes from a family lineage of basketball coaches. His father, Jeff, coached the boys’ varsity team at Shaker for more than 25 years; his uncle, Steve Holmes, was a college coach at SUNY Geneseo and Salisbury University in the 1990s-2000s; and his grandfather, Ray Holmes, was a long-time high school boys’ coach in the Plattsburgh and Potsdam areas. Also an athletic administrator, Ray Holmes is a member of multiple Athletic Halls of Fame.
https://gotuftsjumbos.com/news/2023/7/31/holmes-added-to-tufts-mens-basketball-coaching-staff.aspx
