Jason Groves

Las Cruces Sun-News

LAS CRUCES – Doug Martin has added another quarterback to his coaching staff at New Mexico State.

Martin, the former Kentucky QB, has hired one of the top quarterbacks in school history to join his coaching staff for the 2017 season. Former Aggies quarterback Matt Christian also coaches running backs at NMSU and provided some insight through common acquaintances to lead to Holbrook reaching out to Martin.

Holbrook spent last season as the offensive quality control coach under Mike Leach at Washington State.

"We ran into Matt in San Diego at a staff retreat and through some mutual friends and teammates, we started talking so when I learned that a position came open, I got in touch with him and he directed me to the right place to get the process started," Holbrook said. "The position I had at Washington State was awesome and I got to work directly with Coach Leach but it was off the field. For me, the opportunity to get back on the field and at my alma mater, and my wife is from here, it felt like coming home."

Holbrook will coach tight ends at NMSU following the departure of Kevin McKeethan, who left this offseason to join former defensive coordinator Zane Vance at Charleston Southern.

Holbrook played at NMSU from 2005-08 under Hal Mumme, rewriting the school's passing record books along the way. NMSU is the latest stop for Holbrook, who has had previous coaching stops at Tarleton State University, New Mexico Highlands and McMurry University.

"The biggest thing for me was that (Holbrook) is a former player here who wanted to be here," Martin said. "He wants to see this place succeed and believed in what he saw enough to leave Washington State."

Holbrook holds all Aggies records for most passing attempts and most completions, most season and career net yards gained, highest completion percentage for a game, season and career, most 300 yard passing games and career passing yardage and touchdowns. Mumme gave Holbrook his start as a football coach at McMurry.

"When I started coaching, I worked for (Mumme) and he kind of gave me my start just like he did as a player," Holbrook said. "It was a pretty seamless transition for me having played in the offense. Most recently I have had to move around and make a couple moves maybe quicker than you would like. It's kind of the nature of it. Every move was a progression as far as learning and even this one being involved in a new offense."

The Aggies remain an offensive football program under Martin and Holbrook sees similarities between the offense that he ran at NMSU and Martin's system.

"I consider the offenses cousins to each other," Holbrook said. "You almost don't recognize them as being related now but just watching guys on film, especially Larry Rose, he clearly stands out."

As a player, the challenges of coaching at NMSU doesn't aren't as apparent as when a young coach embarks on a career.

"I have jumped around the last seven or eight years, but at Highlands, they have their own issues as far as recruiting and budget so I can appreciate that at places like New Mexico State, you have to be creative and think outside the box and maybe work a little harder," Holbrook said. "But there are a lot of great things to sell about New Mexico State. You can tell on film they are a few key slots away from winning a lot of games."

Martin said that Holbrook will have recruiting responsibilities in Austin, Texas and San Antonio, Texas.

While Holbrook replaced McKeethan, graduate assistant coach Kai Brown will replace Zane Vance's role as the defensive ends coach. Cory Martin will replace McKeethan as the Aggies recruiting coordinator.

Brown spent last season as a graduate assistant under Martin, working with the secondary while Brian Bell missed half of the season due to medical issues.

"Kai has been very loyal and is an outstanding coach," Martin said. "He recruited for Coach Bell last year. I think he will be hired by a big school by the time he is done here."

Linebackers coach Oliver Soukup and running backs coach Matt Christian will team up to replace Vance's duties as special teams coordinator.

Soukup will coach kickoff coverage, punt return and the punt team and Christian will coach the Aggies kickoff return unit.

Sports Editor Jason Groves can be reached at 575-541-5459. Follow him on Twitter @jpgroves.