Mariners Promote Luke Holmes To Coach Women's Hoops

When a program of such notoriety as VIU goes through a coaching change, the common choice is to promote an internal candidate to maintain continuity, and the reigning national champions have done just that.

A two-sport athlete in his youth, Luke Holmes has spent the past eight years as the top assistant on Tony Bryce's staff as the head of player development.

Holmes took an unorthodox path to his current position. While basketball was in his blood, he was no slouch on the soccer pitch either. He began his career as a varsity soccer player, playing for UNBC in his hometown of Prince George.

Across two seasons with the Timberwolves, Holmes only recorded one point, an assist, but shined as a strong defensive midfielder, winning UNBC's Coach's Award in 2014. (For current Mariners fans, think of Declan Brown as a comparison.)

Ahead of the 2015 season, Holmes transferred to VIU, where he took on an increased role under head coach Bill Merriman. His collegiate career culminated in 2017, where he and the Mariners won a CCAA national championship on home turf.

In 2018, he signed on as an assistant coach for the women's basketball team at VIU, returning to the sport that made him famous as a Condor. In his first two seasons, the Mariners won back-to-back PACWEST titles, nearly doubling their total at that point.

2022 began the golden age of VIU basketball. The Mariners, designated as the host team for that year's national championship, went a perfect 17-0 in the regular season, but were upset by the Okanagan Coyotes in the title game. Despite the setback, the Mariners advanced to the national title game on their home court, but were felled again, this time by NAIT.

In 2023, it finally came together. After winning the PACWEST title over the top-seeded Capilano Blues, the Mariners advanced to nationals in Hamilton. Once again, they advanced to the national title game, defeating Saint-Jean to win their first national title in 25 years.

Now, in 2026, the Mariners once again stand atop the country and are prepared to defend their title.