As part of our “A Wolverine Life” series, FAM caught up with former player, Michael Holmes, who played on the defensive line with the Wolverines from 1972-1975 and part of three Big Ten championship teams. Originally from Akron, Ohio, Michael currently lives outside of Santa Ana, CA with his family.
Talent Pool in Ohio
In the state of Ohio, some children put on football pads as young as five years old, but for Michael Holmes (1972-1975), he would not get to experience the crunch of pads until the 10th grade. Growing up in Akron, OH, a breeding ground for college and pro football players, football was always on Michael’s mind. “There was a 135-pound weight limit in those days, and I was a big guy, so my football experience consisted of playing quarterback in the neighborhood until high school,” recounts Holmes.
When finally given the opportunity, Holmes transformed his neighborhood play to reality as he played quarterback at Akron East High School, battling city and area rivals running the option for three years and also playing safety on defense. “We were not always the best team, but there were future college and pro stars at every high school, including our team,” said Holmes when asked about area high school talent. Joined at Akron East by future Michigan teammate James Bolden (1973-1976), their high school games lined up against future Wolverine teammates multiple times. Holmes would face off against future All-Americans and NFL greats like, Dave Brown (1971-1974) of Akron Garfield High School, Greg Morton (1973-1976) of Akron Central and Dennis Franklin (1971-1974) of Massillon, OH, just down I-77 and another popular recruiting ground for Michigan; two cities conveniently nestled between Barberton, OH, where Bo Schembechler was born and raised.
From Quarterback to….Defensive End?
“Dave Brown and Dennis Franklin were my recruiting hosts on my trip to Ann Arbor,” recalls Holmes. Michael was recruited by other schools, but once Michigan offered, his decision was made. “I was recruited as a quarterback and defensive back, and my first year on the freshman team, I played QB and safety under coach Dennis Brown and Jack Harbaugh.” However, Holmes found himself behind two extremely talented individuals: Dennis Franklin at quarterback and Dave Brown at safety.
After the 1972 season, Holmes made the unusual shift from quarterback to the defensive line. “I still had quarterback arms and no defensive line muscles in the spring of 1973,” Holmes recollects when asked about the atypical position shift. “I think I might be the only guy ever to be recruited as a quarterback and ultimately start at defensive end!” laughs Holmes. But Michael worked his way up from the demo teams to the varsity squad, where every position was competitive. With Bo Schembechler and Woody Hayes in the middle of the legendary Ten-Year War, Holmes ultimately started every game in his senior year alongside his Akron natives Greg Morton and Jim Bolden, also starters for every game of the 1975 season. At the end of the season, Holmes did not return for a red shirt year but played for a semi-pro team, the Pontiac Arrows, with fellow Wolverine Tim Davis. Shortly thereafter, Michael was offered a contract and signed with the newly formed NFL expansion team, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. However, that summer, a new opportunity changed Holmes’ direction.
A Worldwide Change
Post-Michigan football, Holmes took on a part-time job selling vehicles at College Dodge on Washtenaw Avenue. In just a few short months, Holmes became the top salesman despite splitting time to train for professional football. That summer, unbeknownst to Holmes, he found himself arranging a conversion van deal for a Saudi Arabian prince from the King Saud family, who was studying in Ann Arbor with his cousins. “We were the only dealership that could do customized vans at that time, which were all special orders,” said Holmes. “This gentleman was a falconer, and he traded his new Jaguar for this van, and I was the guy to make it happen,” Holmes stated. While the commission earned for that transaction was lucrative, the friendship formed was even more valuable. “I still remember the vehicle and working with the artist to design a falcon swooping down with teardrop windows against the van’s powder color—complete with captain chairs and a U-shaped rear seat; perhaps one of the few vehicles at that time that had a working mobile phone installed,” Holmes laughs when telling the story.
Pictured: Greg Morton (#77), Michael Holmes (#40) with Greg Morton (#77), Dave Brown (#6), Jim Bolden (#41) from Akron, OH, and Dennis Franklin (#9) from Massillon, OH
Holmes spent the next few weeks with the prince, traveling and assisting with personal and business needs. Upon returning to Ann Arbor, he faced a decision: to make the trek to Tampa Bay to play football or accept a permanent role with the prince. Holmes chose the latter, and shortly thereafter, he found himself traveling cross-country to California, where he would build a family and a 36-year career working with Saudi Arabian families across multiple generations.
Generations of Football
While Michael’s football playing days ended shortly after Michigan, football remained deeply ingrained in his family’s bloodline at an impressive level. Michael’s oldest son, Scott, played football at Baldwin Wallace and later became a high school football coach and teacher in Ohio. This past year, Scott’s son and Michael’s grandson, Justin, helped lead Arizona State to the college football playoffs.
Shortly after moving to California and marrying Katina Panos, their first son, Alex, was born. Alex became one of the nation’s top tight ends, and despite his father’s best efforts, he enrolled at the University of Southern California, where he won two national championships and later played in the NFL for Miami and St. Louis. Michael and Katina’s daughter, Theodora, an academically gifted individual would meet and later marry future first-ballot NFL Hall of Famer Troy Polamalu when Alex played at USC, with Theodora ultimately graduating from the University of Pittsburgh while Troy played with the Pittsburgh Steelers. Their youngest child, Khaled, also found stardom at USC from 2007-2010 as a captain and All Pac-12 member. Khaled would play with the Colts, Bears, and Giants in the NFL. It is fair to say that Saturdays and Sundays are never boring for Michael and his family.
After retiring in 2020, Michael has been enjoying family life with his wife, children, and grandchildren in San Diego. He remains active in high school and college football and stays connected with his former Michigan teammates.
Rapid Fire with Michael Holmes
Who was your position coach at Michigan?
Bill McCartney. Great individual and legend.
Toughest place to play?
Ohio State
Most impactful game at Michigan?
The 1973 Michigan-Ohio State Game. They had a 260-pound fullback named Pete Johnson blocking for Archie Griffin, along with a mobile quarterback in Cornelius Greene. I think I was 220 pounds max at that time playing on the line, but we held our own that day.
That’s the game that ended in a 10-10 tie. Despite Ohio State players congratulating us on the field post-game and telling us to go win the Rose Bowl, for the first time, the conference decided to vote and award Ohio State the trip to the Rose Bowl.
Bo Schembechler’s saying or speech:
Obviously, “The Team, The Team, The Team,” but he would give some of the most brutal, inspiring, and motivating halftime speeches—especially if we were losing or it was a close game. Every time we came out for the second half, we were ready to run through a brick wall.
The Wolverine Life is a series made available to FAM highlighting former members of the Michigan Football program and their post collegiate career lives. Please feel free to reach out to FAM with any questions or comments about this series.