A native of Moline, Illinois, Holmer was a standout fullback at Northwestern University under Dick Hanley from 1926 to 1928.

As an assistant, Holmer coached future NFL running back Gary Famiglietti and helped develop Solly Nechtem, who had only played one year in high school, and Walter Williams, who had never played high school football, into top college players.

In 1942, Hanley was ordered to active duty with the United States Marine Corps and Holmer succeeded him as head coach.

[4] Boston University did not play football in 1943 or 1944, but returned to the field the following year under interim head coach Robert McKelvey.

[7][2] Three months after leaving Boston University, Holmer returned to football as the head coach at Colby College.