Former Wayland High School girls’ varsity bowling coach Bill Holbrook has been hired as new women’s head coach at the University of Tennessee Southern.
Holbrook, son of Wayland High School graduates Sandy Kotrba and Bill Holbrook, said, “I am grateful and thrilled for this opportunity at UT Southern, and I can’t wait to get started! I am excited to be coaching such a talented group of young women. We will work hard every day to improve on and off the lanes.
“We will build a strong Firehawk culture and be ready to compete for championships. Our Firehawk family will be built through our shared commitment, trust, respect, and our tireless pursuit of our very best!”
Holbrook has spent the last six seasons as the head coach of both the men’s and women’s programs at Midland University in Nebraska. He led the Warriors to multiple appearances in the USBC Intercollegiate team championships.
Last season, Holbrook led the lady Warriors to a runner-up finish in the NAIA championship. He was named KCAC/GPAC Coach of the year in 2020-21 and 2021-22.
At Midland, Holbrook has coached six teams and three individuals to the United States Bowling Congress (USBC) Intercollegiate Championships, including 2017 Singles Champion Nick Pate. He has also coached two National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) All-Americans and one NAIA Scholar-Athlete while at Midland. (The NAIA began bowling recognitions and awards in 2018-19.)
As head varsity girls and assistant boys bowling coach at Wayland from 2013-17, Holbrook coached one Michigan state champion in singles (Sydney Urben in 2017) and two All-State team selections (2016, 2017).
The Wildcat 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.
Besides bowling, Holbrook spent five seasons as an assistant football coach at TNT Varsity Football (2009-13) and Wyoming Lee High School (2013).
Holbrook earned his USBC Silver Certification in 2017.
“This is an amazing opportunity, and I am looking forward to getting started. I am thrilled to be joining a university with such a strong championship-minded culture.
“Just as important, I want to say how happy and grateful I am for my time and opportunity at Midland University”
