John "Doc" Holliday: The Players' Coach
Tuesday, September 4, 2007 | Football
By Kate Manly, UF Sports Information
It's often been said that, "Experience makes the man," and with 29 years of collegiate coaching experience under his belt, John "Doc" Holliday has much wisdom to impart onto his players. The Florida associate head coach/safeties instructor has just as much of an effect on his players on the field as he does off of it. Heading into his third season with the Gators, Holliday is on his way to achieving the success of veteran coaches. His players will testify that there are more than one characteristic of Holliday's coaching style that make him a success.
As part of a staff with over 150 combined years of coaching experience, Coach Holliday is one of only two Gator coaches who, prior to the Gators' appearance in the title tilt last January in Glendale, Ariz., had coached in a national title game. His first appearance came in the 1989 Fiesta Bowl, when Holliday was the assistant and wide receiver coach for his alma mater, West Virginia University. That experience to finish the 1988 season helped him prepare his players for what was to come.
"His experience helped a lot because he could prepare us before we left [for the BCS National Championship] because he let us know what was going to happen and what to expect out there," said senior safety Tony Joiner. "He just told us to practice hard with a lot of intensity, like it was the game."
To Gainesville, the 2006 season will always be remembered for winning an SEC and national championship title, but for Holliday, one of his biggest achievements was the success of safety Reggie Nelson. In 2006, Nelson was a consensus All-American and the recipient of the Jack Tatum Award, given to the nation's most outstanding defensive back. Nelson also became the second of two Gators selected in the first round of the 2007 NFL Draft, when he was chosen 21st overall by the Jacksonville Jaguars. In addition to Nelson, Holliday has sent 10 players at wide receiver, linebacker, or safety to the NFL over the course of his coaching career.
In Holliday's two seasons at Florida, the Gators have either shared or led the SEC in interceptions. During those past two campaigns, UF has intercepted 37 passes, the fourth-highest total in the country. However, the departure of players like Nelson and cornerback Ryan Smith left a big hole to fill in the defensive secondary. Fans will need to turn their attention this fall to Joiner, senior Kyle Jackson and some of the nation's best up-and-comers. This off-season, Holliday had his work cut out for him, but his players are pleased with the progress.
"Coach is doing a great job with the freshmen and is helping them out a lot," said Joiner. "It's just like he did with us when we were coming up."
With all of the accomplishments that Holliday has already attained with the Gators' secondary, it may be surprising that the 2007 season will be only his third season coaching safeties. In addition to his tenure at West Virginia, Holliday was the associate head coach/wide receivers coach at North Carolina State for four seasons before joining the UF coaching staff. His coaching past provides yet another bond for both he and his players.
"He is learning just like we are," says Jackson. "Plus, the fact that he has so much experience with wide receivers, he can coach us better on what to expect and how to react."
It is clear that Holliday is providing his players with the proper physical tactics and skills necessary to be successful, but he works just as hard at preparing his players for success off of the gridiron.
"Off the field, he is there for us just the same," said Jackson. "He is like a second father to me. I know that if there is anything that I need, I can call him up and he will do his best to help me out."
Joiner echoes that sentiment. "While he is my coach and mentor, we have a special bond off the field. I have stayed at his house a couple times and we talk and he keeps me on the straight and narrow."
In addition to his "sons" in the backfield, Holliday has a son on the opposite side of the field, wide receiver Cade Holliday. A redshirt sophomore, Cade participated in all 14 of the Gators' games last season. Holliday also has three other children with ages ranging from 16 to 21. With four young adults at home, he has plenty of experience in handling that sometimes-challenging age range.
"With having kids our age, he knows how to treat us 'soon to be grown ups,'" says Jackson. "I think since he has Cade and three other children, he can relate to us better and treat us like we are his own sons."
Jackson describes Holliday as a players' coach and his players will agree, there is no one else they would rather have leading them. More than just a coach, Holliday is a mentor, confidant and father figure who expects the best from his players - both on and off the field.
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