McMurry University Athletics

Ron Holmes is synonymous with McMurry University men’s basketball to anyone who has followed the program over the years. He was head coach for McMurry from 1990 through 2010
 
Holmes completed his 20th season in 2010 and retired from coaching to begin a full-time role as McMurry’s athletics director from 2010 until January 2014.
 
As the head coach, he compiled a 347-185 record while at McMurry - a .652 winning percentage  - which is the highest winning percentage of any McMurry men’s basketball coach in school history. He ranks second to his mentor, Hershel Kimbrell, in total victories.  Coach Kimbrell is also a Hall of Honor member, as well as a member of the NAIA Hall of Fame.
 
Holmes led McMurry to five conference championships and had at least a share in seven ASC West Division titles, including his last during the 2008-09 season.
 
He coached the McMurry to six, 20-win seasons. His teams reached the NCAA Division III Elite Eight in 1999-2000 and Sweet Sixteen in 2000-01, in what is the most dominating back-to-back seasons in school history.  Those squads earned a combined record of 51-6 and only lost one regular-season ASC matchup in those two seasons.
 
Holmes-coached players and teams still hold a total of 51 records for McMurry Basketball, for single games, seasons and careers.  Among those records is most wins in a season and fewest losses in a season - both accomplished when his 1999-2000 Hall of Honor team went 27-2!  His teams have boasted statistical leaders, all-conference players and all-Americans.
 
In January of 2012, McMurry University honored Holmes by dedicating the Kimbrell Arena floor as “Ron Holmes Court,” recognizing his contributions to the university and his excellence as a coach.
 
Holmes, a native of Van Horn, Texas, received a Bachelor of Science degree from McMurry in 1977.  He also played four years of basketball under the direction of Kimbrell.  He was involved with KIVA, MSG and the FCA.
 
Holmes also earned a master’s of education degree from Abilene Christian University in 1984.
 
He played high school basketball for coach John Curry, a 1967 graduate of McMurry…who, himself, happened to play basketball for Coach Kimbrell. Ron was a member of the 1971 Van Horn state championship basketball team.
 
Before assuming the McMurry coaching reins, he also had stints as a prep coach in Midland, Lamesa and Brownfield.  He coached USA teams in Europe and Argentina, as well.
 
Holmes was a member of the NCAA Rules Committee, the National Association of Basketball Coaches, the Texas Association of Basketball Coaches, and the Texas High School Coaches Association.