Officials at Roane State Community College announced the naming of Alan Holt as the next men’s head basketball coach. The long-time assistant succeeds Randy Nesbit who stepped down at the conclusion of the past basketball season.

Holt said, “It is really exciting” and that he is grateful to the administration for demonstrating their confidence in him. He had been serving as Interim Head Coach since last April.

New Interim Athletic Director David Lane said, “We are incredibly fortunate to have Coach Holt leading our men’s basketball team forward.”

Lane added, “His energy and expertise are incredibly valuable and will be a great asset in the progression of the program.”

Holt is a native of Anderson County, Tenn., where he graduated from Anderson County High School before playing for Bryan College in Dayton, Tenn. Upon graduating from Bryan, Holt was hired as Roane State’s assistant men’s basketball coach, a role he worked in for six seasons.

Holt, 28, says he is excited to have the opportunity at such a young age noting, “This has been a program near and dear to my heart. I’ve invested a lot of time – sweat equity – in the program and am grateful to be able to stay here, just in a different role now.”

Former head coach Randy Nesbit previously commented on Holt saying, “He has played a big part in [our recent success] and he is extremely ready to take on the head coaching role.”

Nesbit added, “Alan Holt has been very loyal. He has matured greatly as a coach in a very long stint here and our program is strong and competitive.”

As for the Raiders players, removing the interim tag from Holt’s title brings a level of security for those who had decided to come to the college or stay from their second year.

Holt stated, “We definitely all seem to be on the same page when discussing our goals as a team and [as] individuals.”

He noted the team goal is to win the conference championship and advance to the NJCAA National Tournament. Individually, Holt wants to build on the athletics program’s high graduation rate, which is consistently tops in the TCCAA. He said, “We want to continue to have an incredibly high graduation rate and develop our players so they can sign at the four-year level.”

The Alan Holt era will begin on Nov. 1 at home against his alma mater, Bryan College.

https://www.roanestate.edu/?12932-2021-08-02-Holt-Named-Head-Coach-for-Roane-State-Mens-Basketball