TUCSON, Ariz. — Arizona Swimming & Diving head coach Ben Loorz today announced the addition of Jay Holmes to the Wildcats coaching staff.

Holmes joins the Wildcats following 40 years coaching at Texas A&M, including 21 years as the head coach of the Aggies men's swimming and diving program from 2004-24.

"We are excited to welcome Coach Holmes and his wife Annette to the Wildcat Family," Loorz said. "Jay has been a beacon of professionalism and character in the NCAA for a long time. I know the staff will benefit from his experience, and the athletes from his ability to connect."

Across the final four years of Holmes' tenure at Texas A&M the men's program broke every single one of the program's records. In total, during his illustrious coaching career, Holmes has developed nine Olympians, 77 All-Americans, one CSCAA Swimmer of the Year, and two conference Swimmers of the Year. Following the 2004–05 season he was named the Big 12 Men's Coach of the Year on the back of the Aggies second place conference and 15th place NCAA finish.

"I am very grateful to Coach Loorz, his staff, and the University of Arizona for this opportunity," Holmes said. "Arizona Swimming & Diving has a great history and great tradition. Being part of that is a privilege I am excited about. Taking time away form coaching last year allowed me to experience a lot of life that I would not have been able to do otherwise. As much as I enjoyed that time, it's time to get back at it. My wife and I look forward to arriving in Tucson and starting our adventure as Wildcats!"

Prior to his head coaching stint at Texas A&M, Holmes spent 19 years as an assistant coach with the Aggies. He served as an assistant coach for the men's and women's programs from 1986–1995 and moved over to exclusively develop the men's program from 1995–2004.

Holmes swam four years with the Aggies from 1980–84 and graduated from the university with a bachelor of science degree in Business Administration in 1984.

Holmes and his wife, Annette, have two children: Meredith Joy and Cooper Samuel.