Santa Margarita’s Holmes Decides to Resign as Boys’ Basketball Coach

Santa Margarita High School boys’ basketball Coach Roger Holmes said Thursday he has resigned his position to pursue a teaching credential.

Holmes, 32, led Santa Margarita to a 35-19 record the past two seasons as a walk-on coach. “I have a 9-month-old baby and would ideally like to be coaching and teaching at a public school,” Holmes said. “At this point in my life, I need to be at a public school.”

Santa Margarita had a 27-5 record against schools outside the tough Angelus League and advanced to the semifinals of the Southern Section Division III-A playoffs in 1991. The Eagles were ranked among the county’s top 10 teams most of this season, finishing 18-9 and losing in the second round of the Division III-AA playoffs.

“I’m looking at several opportunities,” Holmes said. “Both (Mater Dei Coach) Gary McKnight and (Ocean View Coach) Jim Harris have offered me jobs. I’ve also talked to Dave Brown at Laguna Hills, but nothing is solid yet.”

Holmes was an all-county basketball standout for two years at Fountain Valley High.