James Gordon "Klepto" Holmes (March 31, 1906 – February 26, 1952) was an American football coach. He was the sixth head football coach at Arlington State College—now known as the University of Texas at Arlington—serving for 16 seasons, from 1935 to 1950.[1]

Klepto Holmes
Biographical details
Born(1906-03-31)March 31, 1906
Grand Saline, Texas, U.S.
DiedFebruary 26, 1952(1952-02-26) (aged 45)
College Station, Texas, U.S.
Playing career
1927Texas A&M
Position(s)Tackle
Coaching career (HC unless noted)
1929–1932Texas A&M (line)
1933Cuero HS (TX)
1934Alamo Heights HS (TX)
1935–1950North Texas Aggies / Arlington State
1951Texas A&M (freshmen)
Head coaching record
Overall77–67–5 (junior college)
Accomplishments and honors
Championships
3 CTC (1935–1936, 1938)
Awards
First-team All-SWC (1927)

Holmes earned his nickname while a student at North Texas Agricultural College. While visiting Terrell, Texas for a football game against Texas Military College, he and other students toured the state sanatorium located in Terrell. A female patient at the sanitorium reportedly hugged and kissed Holmes, who was dressed in his cadet uniform, and shouted "Klepto, my kleptomaniac has returned from the war."[2]

Holmes died of a heart attack in 1952.[3]

Head coaching record

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Junior college

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Year Team Overall Conference Standing Bowl/playoffs
North Texas Aggies (Central Texas Conference) (1935–1938)
1935 North Texas Aggies 9–2 7–0 1st
1936 North Texas Aggies 7–3–1 4–0 1st
1937 North Texas Aggies 6–4 3–2 3rd
1938 North Texas Aggies 10–1 5–0 1st
North Texas Aggies (Texas Junior College Conference) (1939–1941)
1939 North Texas Aggies 6–4 4–4 8th
1940 North Texas Aggies 5–5 4–4
1941 North Texas Aggies 7–2 6–2 2nd
1942 North Texas Aggies 2–3–1 1–2–1 T–3rd
North Texas Aggies (Independent) (1943–1946)
1943 North Texas Aggies 3–4–1
1944 North Texas Aggies 2–6
1945 North Texas Aggies 2–5
1946 North Texas Aggies 6–4
North Texas Aggies / Arlington State Blue Riders (Southwestern Junior College Conference) (1947–1949)
1947 North Texas Aggies 6–3 4–3 4th
1948 North Texas Aggies 4–5 3–4 T–5th
1949 Arlington State 1–9 0–7 8th
Arlington State Blue Riders (Pioneer Conference) (1950)
1950 Arlington State 1–7–2 0–3 4th
North Texas Aggies / Arlington State: 77–67–5 40–31
Total: 77–67–5
      National championship         Conference title         Conference division title or championship game berth

[4]

References

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  1. ^ "Records Of UTA Coaches". Fort Worth Star-Telegram. Fort Worth, Texas. November 26, 1985. p. 9B. Retrieved November 25, 2024 – via Newspapers.com  .
  2. ^ Hall, Flem R. (January 31, 1933). "The Sport Tide". Fort Worth Star-Telegram. p. 13. Retrieved May 19, 2023.
  3. ^ "James Holmes Former Cuero Coach Dies". The Victoria Advocate. Victoria, Texas. February 28, 1952. p. 6. Retrieved April 16, 2016 – via Google News.
  4. ^ Carter, O. K. (November 26, 1985). "Variety of reasons contributed to UTA football death". Fort Worth Star-Telegram. Fort Worth, Texas. p. 7D. Retrieved November 25, 2024 – via Newspapers.com  .
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