Dan Holcomb

Danny Lee Holcomb (June 25, 1934 – August 25, 2024) was an American soccer coach, tennis coach, and university professor. He was the inaugural head coach of t

Dan Holcomb
Biographical details
Born(1934-06-25)June 25, 1934
Columbia, Missouri, U.S.
DiedAugust 25, 2024(2024-08-25) (aged 90)
Tampa, Florida, U.S.
EducationWashburn (BS)
FSU (MS)
Coaching career (HC unless noted)
1965–1986South Florida (soccer)
1978South Florida (tennis)
Head coaching record
Overall216–86–22 (soccer)
Tournaments24–7–4 (postseason)
Accomplishments and honors
Championships
  • Sun Belt Conference Tournament (1976, 1977, 1979–1982, 1985, 1986)
  • 6× NCAA Tournament appearances (1969–1973, 1975, 1982)
Awards
  • 2× Sun Belt Coach of the Year (1976, 1980)
  • USF Athletic Hall of Fame (2010)
  • Tampa Bay Soccer Hall of Fame Pioneer Award (2026)

Danny Lee Holcomb (June 25, 1934 – August 25, 2024) was an American soccer coach, tennis coach, and university professor. He was the inaugural head coach of the South Florida Bulls men's soccer program, serving from 1965 to 1986. During his 22-year tenure, he compiled an overall record of 216–86–22, secured 22 consecutive winning seasons, won eight Sun Belt Conference tournament championships, and made six NCAA Tournament appearances.[1]

Holcomb coached the first intercollegiate varsity athletic event in the history of the University of South Florida (USF) in October 1965 and was named Sun Belt Coach of the Year twice (1976, 1980).[2] He also served as USF's head men's tennis coach in 1978 and worked as an assistant professor of physical education until his retirement in 2003.[1] He was inducted into the USF Athletic Hall of Fame in 2010.[2]

Playing career

Holcomb played collegiate football for the Washburn Ichabods while attending Washburn University in Topeka, Kansas.[1]

Coaching career

Soccer

Holcomb founded the men's soccer program at the University of South Florida (USF) in 1965 and led it for its first 22 seasons.[2] The Bulls achieved 22 consecutive winning seasons and compiled an overall record of 216–86–22 (.701 winning percentage).[3]

The team captured eight Sun Belt Conference championships (including four consecutive titles from 1979 to 1982) and made six NCAA Tournament appearances, advancing to the second round twice.[3] Holcomb was named Sun Belt Conference Coach of the Year in 1976 and 1980.[3]

His teams posted strong postseason results, with a 24–7–4 record in postseason play and a 22–2–3 mark in Sun Belt Conference tournament games.[3] Holcomb also briefly coached the USF tennis team in addition to soccer.[4]

Tennis

While completing his graduate studies at Florida State University in the early 1960s, Holcomb assisted with the university's tennis program. This background in tennis later led to him being named the head men's tennis coach at USF for the 1978 season when the program faced a sudden coaching vacancy.[4]

Legacy

Holcomb was inducted into the USF Athletic Hall of Fame in 2010 as part of its second class.[3] He is recognized for establishing the foundation of one of USF's most successful athletic programs, which has since produced numerous professional players and further NCAA success.[5]

Personal life

Following his graduate studies, Holcomb relocated to Tampa, Florida, to join the physical education faculty at the newly established University of South Florida. Beyond his 22-year tenure coaching the men's soccer program, he also served as an assistant professor in USF's College of Education, teaching courses in kinesiology and sports science until his retirement.[1]

Holcomb was married to his wife, Joanne, for over 50 years, and the couple had three children. Following his coaching career, he remained in the Tampa Bay sports community until his death on August 25, 2024, at the age of 90.[1]

Head coaching record

Soccer

Year[3] Team Overall Conference Standing Postseason
South Florida Bulls (Independent) (1965–1975)
1965 South Florida 6–4–0
1966 South Florida 10–0–1
1967 South Florida 10–2–0
1968 South Florida 6–2–1
1969 South Florida 8–2–0 NCAA Round of 16
1970 South Florida 7–3–1 NCAA First Round
1971 South Florida 7–3–0 NCAA First Round
1972 South Florida 9–4–2 NCAA Division II Round of 16
1973 South Florida 10–3–0 NCAA Division I Round of 16
1974 South Florida 6–6–2
1975 South Florida 9–3–1 NCAA First Round
South Florida Bulls (Sun Belt Conference) (1976–1986)
1976 South Florida 11–6–1 4–0–0 1st Sun Belt Tournament Champions
1977 South Florida 10–5–0 2–1–0 1st Sun Belt Tournament Champions
1978 South Florida 7–7–1 1–2–0 3rd
1979 South Florida 12–6–0 3–1–0 1st Sun Belt Tournament Champions
1980 South Florida 14–1–1 3–0–0 1st Sun Belt Tournament Champions
1981 South Florida 12–2–1 3–0–0 1st Sun Belt Tournament Champions
1982 South Florida 13–3–3 4–0–0 1st NCAA First Round; Sun Belt Tournament Champions
1983 South Florida 15–4–1 3–0–1 1st (East)
1984 South Florida 13–6–2 3–1–0 1st (East)
1985 South Florida 12–6–2 3–0–1 1st (East) Sun Belt Tournament Champions
1986 South Florida 9–8–2 2–0–1 1st (East) Sun Belt Tournament Champions
South Florida: 216–86–22 28–5–3
Total: 216–86–22

Honors

Coaching awards

Championships

  • Sun Belt Conference Tournament Champions (8): 1976, 1977, 1979, 1980, 1981, 1982, 1985, 1986[7]
  • Sun Belt Conference Regular Season Champions (7): 1979, 1980, 1981, 1982, 1983 (East), 1984 (East), 1985 (East)[7]

Hall of Fame inductions

  • USF Athletic Hall of Fame: Class of 2010[6]
  • Tampa Bay Soccer Hall of Fame Pioneer Award: Awarded posthumously in 2026[8]

References

  1. ^ a b c d e Staff (August 26, 2024). "South Florida Mourns Loss of Dan Holcomb". GoUSFBulls.com. Retrieved July 17, 2026.
  2. ^ a b c "Dan Holcomb (2010) - USF Athletic Hall of Fame". USF Athletics. Retrieved 2026-07-17.
  3. ^ a b c d e f "Dan Holcomb (2010) - USF Athletic Hall of Fame". USF Athletics.
  4. ^ a b "Goodbye Mr. Kicks". USF Oracle. 2003-05-29. Retrieved 2026-07-17.
  5. ^ "Letters from Louk: A Visit with Dan Holcomb". USF Athletics. 2010-11-23. Retrieved 2026-07-17.
  6. ^ a b "USF Athletic Hall of Fame: Dan Holcomb". GoUSFBulls.com. South Florida Bulls. Retrieved July 17, 2026.
  7. ^ a b "South Florida Bulls Men's Soccer Record Book" (PDF). GoUSFBulls.com. South Florida Bulls. Retrieved July 17, 2026.
  8. ^ "Dan Holcomb, USF Men's Soccer, Coach". tampabaysoccerhalloffame.org. Tampa Bay Soccer Hall of Fame. Retrieved July 17, 2026.

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