Terry Holland, one of most prominent coaches and administrators in UVa history, was named athletic director at East Carolina today. Holland, who agreed to a five-year contract, will be introduced at a news conference tomorrow at ECU.
Holland, whose career at Virginia started 30 years ago, had spent the past three years as a special assistant to the president before resigning from that job. He first made his mark as UVa’s men’s basketball coach from 1974-90. The Cavaliers won 326 games in his 16 seasons, twice played in the Final Four and captured their only ACC title in 1976. Holland served as athletic director at Davidson for five years before taking over as AD at UVa
As Virginia’s athletic director, Holland helped improve facilities and also hired Pete Gillen and Al Groh.
In a statement on the East Carolina website, ECU Chancellor Steve Ballard said, “Terry Holland is a proven program builder who has been successful throughout his career as coach and athletics director. He has great integrity and the ability to inspire others. His credentials are impeccable, and I have no doubt that he will make a difference at ECU.”
Holland, 62, also e-mailed his own press release, which reads as follows:
“The main attraction of East Carolina University is the spirit, pride and determination of its students, faculty, alumni and fans. Even though the latest conference realignments have disadvantaged the East Carolina sports programs, everyone seems determined to rise above these setbacks.
During my playing, coaching and administrative careers, I have been fortunate to participate in the building (and rebuilding) of a number of athletic programs. As a player at Davidson, my four year career saw Davidson move from perennial doormat to a consistent Top Ten performer under Coach Driesell. As a head coach, great players and excellent assistant coaches moved our program at Virginia into the national championship picture.
During my years as athletic director at Davidson, a program one vote from being relegated to Division III status regained its Southern Conference membership, hosted three NCAA Men’s Soccer Championships, and added four new athletic teams. While athletic director at Virginia, we began and completed an $86 million football stadium expansion and planned the new $130 million John Paul Jones Arena, which is nearing completion. During this time UVA established itself as a consistent Top Fifteen finisher in the Sears Cup competition recognizing overall excellence in athletics.
How many athletic directors are fortunate enough to work with a chancellor who was a Division I recruited athlete? Dr. Ballard has already set a steady course for the university in the few months he has been at the helm.
Nick Floyd’s outstanding skills and experience as the Senior Associate Athletic Director are mirrored at every administrative and coaching position in the department. A casual observer might quote Yogi Berra while evaluating East Carolina as an “insurmountable opportunity.” However, my earlier experiences convince me that East Carolina is ideally positioned to restore a long and proud athletic history.
The problems that East Carolina must overcome to restore this tradition exist to some degree in every athletic program in the country. Our immediate goal will be to join with the university to provide a first class academic and athletic environment so that every student and every athlete from eastern North Carolina will find that they do not have to leave the area in order to succeed at the highest levels academically and athletically.
To achieve this goal, we must set performance benchmarks for every endeavor that affects our ability to field competitive teams and our coaches must schedule with care to minimize missed class time and to allow our athletes to participate fully in all campus activities.
The goals are achievable, the spirit and pride are in place, and the future is ours to determine.”
