Tamoria Holmes enters her fourth season as Howard's women's basketball assistant coach after joining the staff in May of 2017.
In March 2020, Holmes was named to the Women's Basketball Coaches Association (WBCA) Thirty Under 30 for the 2019-20 season. During the 2019-20 campaign, the Bison went 16-15 overall while securing their third winning season in four years. Howard reached the MEAC Quarterfinals for the second consecutive year after defeating South Carolina State in the opening round. Guards Ayonna Williams (All-MEAC) and Jayla Thornton (All-MEAC) received league postseason honors.
In the 2018-19 season, Howard secured their second winning season in three years after finishing with an 18-13 record (10-6 MEAC). Along the way, Holmes saw four Bison earn conference postseason honors: Sarah Edmond (All-MEAC); Krislyn Marsh (All-Rookie); Jayla Thornton (All-MEAC) and Ayonna Williams (All-MEAC).
Holmes comes to Howard after serving as an assistant women's basketball coach at Norfolk State during the 2016-17 season.
Holmes is back to the nation's capital and at her alma mater to work with team's guards. Her other responsibilities include recruiting, game and practice preparation, camps, social media, alumni relations and community service projects.
"Tamoria is an up and coming young coach," Grace said. "I'm excited to have her come back home! She's a fierce competitor and proven winner. I know she will be a tremendous asset as a coach, like she was when she was a player here!"
During her time on the bench for the NSU, Holmes helped the Spartans to a 15-15 record, including a 9-7 mark in the MEAC. The Spartans advanced to the quarterfinals of the 2017 MEAC Tournament in March. She worked with the team's backcourt in addition to being responsible for recruiting, team travel, game preparation and overseeing the team's strength and conditioning program.
Prior to her time in Norfolk, Va., Holmes was an assistant coach for two seasons at Chowan University. The Hawks compiled a 20-9 record, including 13-3 in the CIAA. The Hawks also earned an at-large bid to the NCAA Division II Atlantic Regional under her tutelage. In Holmes' two seasons at Chowan, the Hawks posted a 22-10 conference record.
Holmes was a four-year letterwinner and two-year captain for the Howard women's basketball team from 2009-13. She helped guide the Bison to the MEAC Tournament championship game three times in her career. Holmes had her best season during the 2011-12 campaign, when she was a First Team All-MEAC performer after leading the conference in scoring with 18.3 points per game. She also ranked fourth in the MEAC in steals (2.5) and sixth in free-throw percentage (77.0) that season, which culminated in Howard posting a 24-9 record (14-2 MEAC) and earning a berth in the WNIT.
A member of Howard's 1,000-point club, Holmes earned Second Team All-HBCU All-America honors following the 2011-12 season.
A Durham, N.C. native, Holmes earned her bachelor's degree in health science from Howard in 2013.
