The Rimington Finalist Pete Carroll Saw: Khaled Holmes' Journey From USC To Coaching Mater Dei

Alright, Emerald City! We're deep into baseball with our Mariners, and the Seahawks are gearing up for another season. But even when our focus is green and blue, news from the college football world keeps popping up. And when you hear about a countdown to the USC season opener on August 29, hosting San Jose State, it makes you think about some of the legendary players who came through that program. Today, we're recalling former offensive lineman Khaled Holmes, a name some of you might even connect to a certain coach who spent a good chunk of his career right here in Seattle. This guy's story, from a backup under Pete Carroll to an All-Pac-12 star, is worth a look.

From Backup Guard to Pac-12 Legend

You know how it goes, some guys truly grind their way to the top. Holmes was exactly that kind of player for the Trojans. He redshirted his first year in 2008, soaking it all in. Then, in 2009, he got his first taste of action, appearing in three games as a backup offensive guard. And guess who was calling the shots back then? Yep, none other than Pete Carroll. So, our very own former Seahawks coach got to see this guy's early potential up close. But Holmes wasn't content being a backup. When Lane Kiffin took over as head coach in 2010, Holmes stepped up BIG, becoming the starting right guard. That's a huge jump, man! He kept pushing, moving to center in 2011, and he absolutely owned that position for two full seasons. By his senior year in 2012, he was a force. First-team All-Pac-12, no surprise there. And get this, he was a finalist for the Rimington Trophy, which is given to the best center in the ENTIRE country. Talk about making a name for yourself!

The NFL Dream and Beyond

After dominating the college ranks, the NFL came calling, naturally. The Indianapolis Colts grabbed Holmes in the fourth round of the 2013 NFL draft. You love to see a Pac-12 guy make it to the pros! He spent three seasons with the Colts, getting into 17 games. That's solid work, man. But the NFL is a tough league, and he was released in 2016. He had a couple of brief stints after that, with the Chicago Bears and the New York Giants, but never actually played in a regular season game for either of those teams. It really shows you how brutal that league can be. But here's the cool part: the grind didn't stop. Sometimes the path isn't what you expect, right? Since 2023, Holmes has been back on the sidelines, but this time with a clipboard in hand. He's an assistant coach at Mater Dei High School, a total powerhouse down in Southern California. And guess what? That's the same high school he played for from 2004 to 2007! Talk about coming full circle. His older brother, Alex, also played tight end at USC from 2000 to 2004, so football runs deep in that family. So, what's the takeaway from Khaled Holmes' story? It's that fierce competitiveness and love for the game never really fades, even if your NFL career doesn't pan out exactly as planned. From being a guy Pete Carroll saw develop, to an All-Pac-12 center, and now coaching up the next generation at his old stomping grounds, Holmes is still making an impact. It's a reminder that even when we're counting down to a college season opener, the stories of these players, their journeys, and their connections to coaches we know so well, are always worth remembering. Keep that grit, Seattle, and let's keep grinding!

This article was created with AI assistance and reviewed by Seattle On Tap editorial staff. Always verify information with official team sources.