The Heart of the City: The Legacy of the Holts in Lexington Football
For anyone who grew up in Lexington, North Carolina, the names Tim Holt Sr. and Tim Holt Jr. are synonymous with youth football. They are the heart of a community whose identity is deeply woven into the Friday night lights. You either played for the Junior Jackets or, if you were one of the unlucky ones, you played against them. To play football in this city was to be somebody, and the Holts were the enforcers of that identity.
For decades, the Holts have been a constant presence in the community, not just building better football players, but shaping young men. The influence of Coach Tim Holt Sr. was legendary. As a kid, you gravitated toward him because you knew his success wasn’t just about winning games—it was about creating a culture of excellence. He built a foundation so strong that it has withstood the test of time, becoming a blueprint for his son to follow.
Passing the Torch
In the later years of his coaching career, Tim Holt Sr. passed the torch to his son, Timothy "TJ" Holt Jr. It was a seamless transition, a passing of the baton from one generation of community leaders to the next. From a distance, you could see the foundation his father had laid out for him: a simple, powerful mantra of "conquer and repeat." This wasn’t just about winning; it was about mastering the fundamentals and repeating them until they became second nature.
This legacy became crystal clear to me during the 2023 football season when I had the privilege of coaching alongside TJ, who served as our defensive coordinator. It was then that I truly understood how TJ had become a mirror image of his father. He possessed the same deep understanding of the game, the same commitment to his players, and the same quiet authority that commanded respect without a single raised voice.
Following that season, TJ was named the head coach of the Lexington Yellow Jackets men’s basketball team after Coach Adrian Lee departed for another opportunity. His leadership immediately began to show results. In the 2023-2024 season, he also led the Lexington Yellow Jackets boys' basketball team to an impressive 14-12 overall record and a 9-3 conference record, finishing second in the 1A/2A Central Carolina Conference. This success is a testament to his versatility and his deep-seated understanding of how to build a winning program.
More Than a Coach
What makes the Holts truly special, however, is that their influence extends far beyond the field and the court. Both men are deeply invested in the community. TJ, in particular, continues his father’s legacy by working in the school system, mentoring middle and high school students and fathering their education. He understands that a well-rounded student-athlete is built on a foundation of academic excellence and character.
If you know Coach Holt and TJ, you know they are incredibly down-to-earth people. They possess a warmth that is both genuine and infectious, and a laugh that can fill a room and instantly put you at ease. TJ, in particular, is perhaps the most positive person I have ever met. No matter the situation, good or bad, he always finds a way to smile. This unwavering optimism is a powerful tool, not just for coaching, but for life.
I learned a great deal from coaching with TJ. He taught me the value of patience, both as a coach and as a person. In a world that often encourages us to dive into situations headfirst, he showed me the power of taking a moment to breathe, to think, and to approach challenges with a calm, measured hand. It’s a lesson I will carry with me forever.
As a former colleague, I can say with confidence that the Lexington Yellow Jackets are in good hands. The legacy of the Holts is alive and well, continuing to inspire and shape a new generation of leaders on and off the field. This Friday night, when they face the Thomasville Bulldogs, I’ll be rooting for them. Because when you're cheering for the Yellow Jackets, you're cheering for the heart of the city, and a legacy that will never be forgotten.
What do you think makes a coach a true community leader?
