In a surprise move on Monday, Saginaw Chisholm Trail head coach Ricklan Holmes announced his departure after just one season, as he takes an assistant athletic director position in Arlington ISD. In his lone year leading the Rangers, Holmes guided CTHS to a 7-4 record and the school’s first-ever playoff appearance.

Coach Holmes steps into an administrative role with a career record of 86-55 as a head coach, most of it from his 11-year tenure at his alma mater, Tyler High. He led the Lions to state semifinal appearances in 2012 and 2014, and to regional semifinal appearances in 2016 and 2018.

Holmes also spent several seasons as an assistant coach at Tyler and had a one-year stint as an assistant at Hutto. After wrapping up his playing career at Oklahoma State, Holmes began coaching as an assistant at Putnam City West in Oklahoma.

Eagle Mountain-Saginaw ISD assistant athletic director John Abendschan confirmed that the Chisholm Trail head coaching position will be posted for both internal and external candidates, with an expedited timeline for a hire. “Coach Holmes has changed the expectations at CT. The program is pointed in the right direction. We hate to lose him, but at the same time we are very proud of him and super happy for him,” said Abendschan.

Chisholm Trail is expected to contend for a district title in 2025, with the Rangers returning a wealth of experience from last year’s playoff team. The school’s location in Northwest Fort Worth is an attractive factor, but the timing of the opening — coming in late June — presents a clear challenge for EMSISD.