Southeast Missouri State University Athletics

John Holt begins his first season as Southeast Missouri’s offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach.

Holt was officially hired on Mar. 17, 2025.

He spent the 2024 season as head coach, offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach at Lakewood High School. There, Holt led the team to 10 wins with his offense topping the East Division in scoring with 35 points per game.

Before that, Holt worked as the offensive line coach at Georgia State from 2022-23. His offensive line allowed only 1.25 sacks per game and paved the way for Doak Walker candidate Marcus Carrol, who ran for 1,350 yards and scored a single-season school record 13 touchdowns in 2023. GSU had the number one rushing offense in the Sun Belt Conference and ranked 14th in the nation in rushing and fifth nationally in total offense that season.

Prior to GSU, Holt was offensive coordinator and coached both the quarterbacks and running backs at Dodge City Community College in 2021. He mentored five offensive players named to the Kansas Jayhawk Community College All-Conference Team. Holt’s offense set school records in touchdown passes, passing yards and total yards.

Other coaching stops for Holt included Western Carolina University (2012-20) and Appalachian State (2008-11).

Holt finished his tenure at WCU as associate head coach, offensive coordinator and offensive line coach. In that role, he coached the First-Team All-Southern Conference running back Donovan Spencer who finished with 2,079 yards and 20 touchdowns in his career. Holt held other positions such as run game coordinator and director of camps and clinics during his time on the Catamounts staff.

At Appalachian State, Holt coached tight ends, was special teams coordinator and director of camps and clinics. He was part of three conference championships and four NCAA Playoff berths.

As a player, Holt was on three national championship teams at Appalachian State. The Mountaineers won 44 of the 56 games Holt played during his career. He was voted team captain and was named a Sports Network All-American. Additionally, Holt earned All-Southern Conference honors.

A native of Leicester, North Carolina, Holt graduated from Appalachian State in 2008. He and his wife, Krystle, have one son, John Thomas, who goes by JT.