Aryvia Holmes enters his third season as an assistant coach on the Samford football staff. Holmes worked with the running backs his first season and began working with the wide receivers in 2005.

"We are very excited to have Aryvia on our staff. He is a leader to our players," Head Coach Bill Gray said. "His work ethic is second to none."

Before joining the Bulldog staff, Holmes spent time playing in the af2 arena football league with the Birmingham Steeldogs. He also participated in preseason camp with Montreal of the Canadian Football League.

Holmes was also an assistant coach at Miles College, where he coached wide receivers.

Holmes was a member of the Bulldogs football team from 1999 to 2002. He graduated in 2003, leaving Samford as one of the top receivers in school history. He is second in Samford history in receiving yards (2,955) and career receptions (220). Holmes also ranks second in school history in singleseason catches (74), receptions in a game (12) and receiving yards in a single season (1,158). Holmes served as one of the team's captains in 2002, and was named to the firstteam I-AA All-Independent Team in 2001 and 2002.