The residents of Madill shouldnoticemanynewfaces around town. As the population of Madill continues to grow, it draws in not just new people but new talent too. This will be evident when attending this year's local school events.
Not only will there be new student athletes that will stand out, there will also be a new coach in town leading the way. The Madill Lady Wildcats Basketball team gained a new leader and mentor, Coach Eric Holmes.
HolmesisanativeOklahoman who grew up in Broken Arrow, class of 2003. He went on to pursue a college basketball career that eventually led him to The University of Central Oklahoma and East Central University. During his time in college, Holmes began working within the community at various youth focused programs, including becoming the program director at the Boys and Girls Club of Ada and Cypress Group Home where he spent time working with at-risk children.
He said he felts like working with at-risk children was his purpose.
“It was my calling,” Holmessaid.“Ireallyenjoyed being at the Boys and Girls Club of Ada.”
Holmes was providing more than just community activities all year round, he was also partnering with multiple organizations to provide meals for the kids too, working to help fill a gap. He establishedandcoachedAAU and youth sports basketball in the Ada area for ten years. With many players in the youth sports program coming from the Boys and Girls club, these programs made an impact not just in the community but in Holmes’s life which led him to changing his major from Criminal Justice to Education.
In 2019, Holmes found himself coaching basketball for the first time and teaching at Irving Middle School in Norman. The following school year in 2020, he left to go to Calvin High School to coach the Lady Bulldogs, where he ended the season with 23 wins taking them to a Class B state tournament for the first time since 1994.
He said even though it was hard, it was all worth it.
”It was amazing, people do not understand it is a lot of hard work.”
So, when he was asked to come to Madill and coach the Lady Wildcats, it was a big decision that not only affected him and his student athletes at Calvin H.S. but the entire family of seven, as well. After all, one of his oldest daughters isanup-and-cominghigh school athlete that is already being scouted by universities and colleges going into her sophomore year.
He said the choice to come to Madill was almost a nobrainer.
“Coach Wahlberg, the school's facility, and closer to our home.”
Holmes said his family is starting to settle in. His wife, Shonda, is the high school Computer Comprehension teacher and all the kids are enjoying being here finding more academic opportunities here at Madill.
He said he has some big plansforthebasketballteam.
“Changing the culture, it needs to uplift,” he said. “Be involved in changing how they think about athletics here and how we can motivate them to be successful.”
He said that through skill development, leading them the correct way and with time, effort and dedication from the coaches and believing in the system positive outcomes are bound to follow. ‘Winning changes how people feel, they feel better, they are excited about themselves,” he said. “There is some unnoticed talent out there that will be seen this year.”
Hesaidhisgoalsaretowin a playoff game and to make it to a state tournament.
Madill native and Assistant CoachCarlosHumphrey knows the long history of the Lady Wildcats basketball team. He said that Holmes’ experience and knowledge should be a game changer.
”His vast knowledge, coupled with his ability to connect with players, has cultivated an atmosphere of growth, unity and achievement within our team,” Humphrey said.
Which was evident during this last summer's basketball camps and clinics. The Lady Wildcatswereabletoperform at a top level to compete up against larger division teams finishing 40-2. Holmes said that showing the athletes that through hard work and dedication that this success can be achieved, not just on the court but in life as well. Holmes also said that the future is going to be exciting.
“We are changing culture, it is going to be exciting,” Holmes said. “The style we play is exciting. It is not like the old style; we can have fun.”
“We do a lot of things that are exciting to watch,” he continued. “That will bring more people out. Us being involved in the community. By doing things like volunteering at a food pantry. It’s an exciting brand of basketball that we want to provide to the community. It will sell itself once they see us play. Everyone will want to come out and watch.”