University of the Pacific

Nick Holt joined the Pacific Athletics Hall of Fame after an illustrious career as a standout linebacker on the Pacific Football team in the 1980s. 

Nick was a stalwart of the Tigers' defense under head coach Bob Cope as a four-year letterwinner from 1981-85. In 1983, he was awarded Pacific Football’s Tully C Knoles Ironman Award. Holt was the team captain and MVP in 1984, compiling a team-high 135 tackles.  Holt was named team MVP and most outstanding defensive player in 1985, in addition to First Team All-PCAA and Honorable Mention All-American selections.

A 1986 Pacific graduate with a bachelor’s degree in Political Economy, Holt began his coaching career at Saint Mary’s High School in Stockton.  His coaching career took him to UNLV (1987-1989), Idaho (1990-1997), Louisville (1998-2000) and Southern California (2001-2003) before returning to Idaho as the head coach for the 2004 season.  Holt would later return to USC in 2006, as the Trojans compiled a 34-5 record during his three-year tenure as defensive coordinator.  

In 2009, Holt accepted a position as the defensive coordinator at the University of Washington and in 2012 was named the on-campus recruiting coordinator for the University of Arkansas.  In January of 2013, Nick was named the defensive coordinator at Western Kentucky University.

Holt has 27 years total of collegiate coaching experience, including seven BCS bowl trips and an Associated Press National Championship with USC.