Loyola Blakefield Names New Varsity Football Coach

Richard Holzer has been named Loyola’s new Varsity Football Coach. The Southern Maryland Coach of the Year in 2022, Holzer has served as head coach at Northern High School in Owings, Maryland since 2020. During that time, he led the program to its first 3A state championship title in 2021. In five seasons at the helm, the Patriots had a 37-10 record, and he garnered additional honors as the 2021 MPSSAA District Coach of the Year. He also serves as an Alternative Education Coordinator at Northern.

 

Prior to his time at Northern Holzer serves as Head Varsity Coach at Mount Saint Joseph High School where he helped propel the Gaels to their first MIAA A Conference title since 1949. Their 41-16 record during his tenure was part of five consecutive winning seasons, a run of success previously unmet in the school’s history. In 2019, he was named Press Box Media and Varsity Sports Network Football Coach of the Year. As a member of the faculty at Mount Saint Joeseph, he served as Assistant Dean of Students and as a Physical Education and Health teacher. Holzer’s additional head coaching experience includes Meade Senior High School (2011-15) and Parkdale High School (2008-2011).

 

In addition to his football duties, he will also be teaching our Dons in the classroom next year. Holzer holds a Maryland State Advanced Professional Teaching Certificate and is a graduate of Hofstra University, where he majored in Physical Education with a minor in Community Health. He continued his education at McDaniel College, earning a master’s in Curriculum Design and Instruction. Holzer, his wife Lauren, and their young sons, Luke and Rhett, are eager to join the Loyola community.

 

As he steps into his role as the new head coach of the Dons' football program, Holzer expressed his enthusiasm: “My family and I are deeply honored and excited to become part of this exceptional community. Loyola values character, excellence, and tradition, and I am eager to build a football program that not only achieves success on the field but also instills pride throughout the community by shaping young men of integrity, resilience, and purpose."

 

"We are thrilled to welcome Rich as the next head varsity football coach at Loyola Blakefield,” said Blake Henry ’98, Director of Athletics. “His proven success in developing young men, building strong teams, and competing at the highest level makes him the ideal leader for our program. We’re excited for him to begin working with our players and families and to see the impact he will bring to our community, both on and off the field.”