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Brad Holmes

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For the English footballer, see Brad Holmes (footballer).

Brad Holmes
Detroit Lions
Position:Executive vice president and general manager
Personal information
Born: (1979-07-29) July 29, 1979 (age 45)[1]
Tampa, Florida, U.S.
Career information
High school:George D. Chamberlain (Tampa)
College:North Carolina A&T
Career history
As an executive:
Executive profile at Pro Football Reference
Career highlights and awards
  • PFWA Executive of the Year (2023)

Brad Holmes (born July 29, 1979) is an American football executive who is the executive vice president and general manager of the Detroit Lions of the National Football League (NFL). He previously served with the St. Louis / Los Angeles Rams in various executive roles from 2003 to 2020. Holmes was named the 2023 PFWA Executive of the Year.[3]

Education and playing career

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Holmes graduated George D. Chamberlain High School in Tampa, Florida in 1997, where he was captain of the football team, and was also elected homecoming king.[4][5] Holmes graduated cum laude from North Carolina A&T in 2002 with a Bachelor of Science in Journalism and Mass Communications, and was a four-year letterman for the Aggies at defensive tackle under head coach Bill Hayes.[6][7] In 1999, he was voted team captain and helped A&T win the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference and Black college football national championship. While visiting home after the 1999 season, Holmes was involved in a car accident that left him in a coma for a week.[5] After making a full recovery, he was cleared to play his final season of college football in 2001.[1]

Executive career

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Holmes worked for Enterprise Rent A Car while attempting to begin a career in professional sports. He soon obtained a public relations internship with the Atlanta Hawks of the National Basketball Association (NBA) in 2002, which he parlayed into a public relations internship with the St. Louis Rams of the NFL in 2003.

St. Louis / Los Angeles Rams

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In 2003, Holmes was hired by the St. Louis Rams as a public relations intern. While in St. Louis, Holmes struck up a friendship with Wilbert Montgomery, a two-time All-Pro running back and Rams running backs coach from 1997 to 2005.[8] At the conclusion of the public relations internship, Montgomery assisted Holmes in securing a position in the Rams player personnel department.[7] From 2003 to 2012, Holmes served in a number of front office positions with the Rams, including scout, area scout, national Combine scout, and scouting assistant. Since joining the Rams in 2003, Holmes worked under Rams front office executives Charley Armey, Billy Devaney, and Les Snead.[9][10][8]

In 2013, Holmes was promoted to director of college scouting.[2] In this role, Holmes was integral in the acquisition of Rams "Mob Squad" Pro Bowlers Aaron Donald, Jared Goff, Todd Gurley, Cooper Kupp, Pharoh Cooper, and Cory Littleton.[11]

Detroit Lions

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On January 14, 2021, Holmes was named the executive vice president and general manager of the Detroit Lions.[12] Holmes signed a five-year contract, succeeding prior general manager Bob Quinn.[13] Holmes' first transaction as general manager was trading longtime franchise quarterback Matthew Stafford to the Los Angeles Rams in exchange for quarterback Jared Goff, two first round picks, and a third round pick.[14]

Personal life

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Holmes is the son of Melvin Holmes, who played offensive line for the Pittsburgh Steelers from 1971 to 1973. He is also the nephew of former Detroit Lions defensive back Luther Bradley, a 1978 first-round draft pick.[15][6] Holmes' cousin, Alex Barron, was a first-round pick of the Rams in 2005.[16] Holmes is married and has a son and daughter.[15]

References

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  1. ^ a b "Holmes story an inspiration to others". The A&T Register. December 12, 2001. Retrieved January 14, 2021.
  2. ^ a b Thomas, Jim (May 17, 2013). "Snead completes makeover of Rams scouting department". St. Louis Post-Dispatch. Retrieved January 14, 2021.
  3. ^ "Brad Holmes named PFWA's 2023 NFL Executive of the Year". www.detroitlions.com. Retrieved January 25, 2024.
  4. ^ Totem Yearbook (Volume 40 ed.). Tampa, Florida: Bryn Alan. 1997. p. 26.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: date and year (link)
  5. ^ a b Hooper, Ernest (January 30, 2019). "Hooper: Rams scouting director traces roots back to Chamberlain". Tampa Bay Times. Retrieved January 15, 2021.
  6. ^ a b Birkett, Dave (January 14, 2021). "Detroit Lions hire Rams' Brad Holmes, a 'proven leader,' as next general manager". Detroit Free Press. Retrieved January 14, 2021.
  7. ^ a b "Aggie Star's Work on the Field and in the Classroom Put Him in the NFL". The Alumni Times - N.C. State A&T State University Alumni Newsletter. April 29, 2012. Retrieved March 23, 2013.
  8. ^ a b Edholm, Eric (July 2, 2019). "Why they got into scouting: Los Angeles Rams college scouting director Brad Holmes". Yahoo. Retrieved January 14, 2021.
  9. ^ "Cleveland/LA/St. Louis Rams Executives and Owners". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved January 15, 2021.
  10. ^ Coats, Bill (May 30, 2009). "Rams GM makes changes He replaces three scouts, gets new director of security". St. Louis Post-Dispatch. Retrieved January 14, 2021.
  11. ^ "Rams scouting director Brad Holmes to become Detroit Lions general manager". Los Angeles Times. January 14, 2021. Retrieved January 15, 2021.
  12. ^ "Lions agree to terms with Brad Holmes to become team's new Executive Vice President and General Manager". www.detroitlions.com. Archived from the original on February 5, 2021. Retrieved January 15, 2021.
  13. ^ Patra, Kevin. "Lions agree to terms with Brad Holmes on five-year deal as new GM". NFL.com. Retrieved January 14, 2021.
  14. ^ Rothstein, Michael (January 30, 2021). "In first big move as GM, Lions' Brad Holmes pulls off blockbuster in Matthew Stafford trade". ESPN.com. Retrieved June 27, 2024.
  15. ^ a b "The Official Site of the Detroit Lions". www.detroitlions.com. Retrieved January 14, 2021.
  16. ^ Birkett, Dave (January 17, 2021). "New Detroit Lions GM Brad Holmes has superpowers: 'You've got a special one'". Detroit Free Press. Retrieved January 19, 2021.
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