He played ten seasons in the National Football League (NFL), mainly for New York Jets but also with the Detroit Lions and Green Bay Packers.
He lettered for two years at West Virginia.Jerry Holmes was a standout defensive back for two seasons on WVU’s 1978 and 1979 football teams after coming to Morgantown from Chowan Junior College in North Carolina.
While primarily a backup his rookie season, he became a starter by early 1981[2] on a vastly improved Jets defense that helped lead the team to its first playoff berth in 12 years.
The contract reportedly tripled his salary and earned him a signing bonus, in addition to being personally guaranteed by Maulers owner Edward J. DeBartolo Sr. in case of injury during his remaining Jets time.
In week 9, he picked off a Joe Montana pass late in the game and returned it 43 yards for a touchdown to clinch and upset victory at San Francisco.
Holmes’ also spent five years coaching defensive backs for the San Diego Chargers (2002–03), the Washington Redskins (2001) and the Cleveland Browns (1999-00).
As a coach, Holmes embodies the same characteristics that he demonstrated as a player in the NFL and the USFL, physical play and aggressive football.
After leaving Hampton, Holmes spent the next four seasons (1994–98) as the defensive backs coach at his alma mater West Virginia University.