Former Wayland High School girls’ varsity bowling coach Bill Holbrook has landed on his feet again.
Though his University of Tennessee Southern team was disbanded because of school budget cuts, the William Woods University athletics department named him as the next men’s and women’s bowling coach, starting April 24.
Holbrook comes to William Woods with more than 20 years of experience in bowling instruction with a proven history of success as a coach, including the past seven years with ranked bowling programs at University of Tennessee Southern and Midland University.
“I am truly excited for this opportunity at William Woods and I can’t wait to get started!,” Holbrook said. “It is wonderful to be welcomed with such fervor. I am honored to be trusted with a bowling program still in its infancy and to be able to build it into a championship caliber program on the lanes, in the classroom, on our campus and in our community. Having a chance like this, with a new program, to create a winning culture and build a lasting legacy has always been a goal of mine. We will build our Owl family around our shared commitment, trust, respect and our tireless pursuit to improve each and every day.”
Athletic Director Steve Wislon said, “Bill Holbrook is a proven winner and dynamic leader in collegiate bowling, and I am thrilled he is coming to The Woods.’ Bill has a history of building championship programs that emphasize academic success, and his teams win with character. When we started this search, our mission was to attract a candidate that would strengthen William Woods athletics in the areas of academic, athletic, social and financial success, and Bill rose to the top very quickly. I am excited to help him get started and cheer on his successes in 2023-24.”
Holbrook’s UT Southern team placed ninth at the NAIA national championships and will compete in the United States Bowling Congress (USBC) Intercollegiate Team Championships (ITC) starting on April 20.
Close to the end of the season, Holbrook’s team had one NAIA All-American named, one Mid-South Conference Bowler of the Year and three All-Conference members. He had two NAIA Scholar-Athletes and three All-Academic members as well.
Prior to UTS, Holbrook served as Midland University’s head men’s and women’s bowling coach for six seasons. He coached three NAIA National Championship runner-up teams and six teams and three individuals to the United States Bowling Congress (USBC) Intercollegiate Championships, including 2017 Singles Champion Nick Pate. He also coached two NAIA All-Americans and one NAIA Scholar-Athlete. (The NAIA began bowling recognitions and awards in 2018-19.) Holbrook earned KCAC/GPAC Coach of the Year honors in 2020-21 and 2021-22.
Prior to Midland, Holbrook was the head varsity girls and assistant boys bowling coach at Wayland Union High School from 2013 to 2017. He coached one Michigan state champion in singles (Sydney Urben) who also was state runner-up. Under Holbrook’s guidance, the Wayland Union girls rose to the No. 5 ranking in Michigan in 2015-16 and claimed a conference championship, along with having four all-conference and two conference honorable mention selections. Four girls on the team finished in the top 20 at the Michigan High School Athletic Association (MHSAA) Regional Qualifier.
From 1986-2013, Holbrook was a private bowling instructor for individuals and groups in Michigan. During this time, he coached multiple Junior Gold qualifiers, Michigan high school singles champions, and college-bound student-athletes.
His parents, Bill and Sandy Hobrook, are 1964 Wayland High School graduates.
