Glenwood names football coach

The fact that new Glenwood football coach Chris Holmes doesn’t have any experience as a head coach doesn’t bother athletic director Tim Fanning.

“Neither did Tripp Henderson,” Fanning quickly points out. And all Henderson did was lead the Gators to back-to-back, nine-win seasons and two consecutive Alabama Independent School Association Class AAA playoff appearances.

“With our past experiences, we have had a good track record with our internal hires,” Fanning said. “He has a great work ethic.”

Fanning has seen Holmes’ work ethic over the last five seasons as he has been an assistant coach on the baseball team. Holmes, who teaches math and physics at Glenwood, has also been an assistant basketball coach and assistant football coach during his tenure at Glenwood. Holmes served as the head junior varsity football coach last fall.

Holmes looks forward to opportunity and hopes to build on the Gators’ success from the last few seasons.

“It’s a great opportunity, and it can be a gold mine here,” Holmes said. “There are some great facilities, and there is great support from the administration and faculty. The kids are going to work hard. Coach Henderson did a great job, and we are going to try to follow that up. It’s going to be tough.”

After having success in his first two seasons as a head coach, Henderson decided to take the head coaching job at B.B. Comer, a AHSAA Class 3A in Sylacauga, Ala., during the offseason.