He played five seasons of junior football and tried out for the Ottawa Rough Riders as a receiver and defensive back in 1958.
He led the team to the Little Grey Cup national championship game in 1968 and 1969, but they lost to the Saskatoon Hilltops both times.
He signed hundreds of Canadian players to the team, including Jeff Avery, Ian Beckstead, Rick Sowieta, Bob Stephen, and Mark Seale.
During his 19 years as Canadian player development co-ordinator, the Rough Riders appeared in six Grey Cups, winning four (1968, 1969, 1973, and 1973).
[2] Holtby left CHUM in April 2004 due to chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.