Marion County College Report

Senior Salute: Eric Holtkamp Lands Florida Coaching Gig After Completing McKendree Football Career

Posted on August 13, 2010 by Daniel L. Chamness

Eric Holtkamp did not get to play a great deal of varsity football during his time at McKendree University.

But while the former Centralia Orphan was on the sidelines, Holtkamp, a 5-foot-8, 200-pound wing back for the Bearcats, was simply soaking up all the knowledge.

"I learned a great deal," Holtkamp said. "I tried to pay attention and learn the little things. Every athlete wants to be on the field as much as possible, but I think that the stuff I learned from the coaching staff that will help me the rest of my life."

Within months of graduating from the Lebanon-based school, Holtkamp landed a job in one of the hotbeds of high school football — Florida.

Holtkamp is now assistant coach at Bloomingdale High School in Valrico, Fla. He will be in charge of the running backs and the special teams unit. He earned the position after student teaching at both Scott Air Force Base Elementary and Breese Central High School.

Holtkamp will have an opportunity to learn even more as some of the coaching staff, including head coach John Booth (Kansas City Chiefs), have played football at the professional level. In addition to their fall season, Florida also participates in a month of spring football.

"The ultimate goal is to become a head coach," Holtkamp said. "I will miss playing for McKendree, but I have always wanted to be a coach. I have known that since elementary school."

As a senior, Holtkamp played in three game and carried the ball three times for three yards. His first three years were spent playing junior varsity football at McKendree.

In his four years as a member of the McKendree football team, the Bearcats never posted losing record. In his final year, McKendree was 9-2 overall and advanced to the NAIA Playoffs.

The son of Vince and Julie Holtkamp of Centralia earned his degree in physical education in May. His father was a member of the Eastern Illinois football team in 1975. Eric earned a teaching certificate to teach students between kindergarten and senior in high school.

For his work in the classroom, Holtkamp was named to the Mid-States Football Association All-Acadademic Team.

"I built some great friendships during my time at McKendree," he said. "My only regret is not playing more. Football down here in Florida is intense. It is like basketball in Illinois. “If I had any advice to give to players, I would tell high school players to play with intensity and heart because colleges and universities are watching all the time."

Message from Daniel L. Chamness

We will be running senior articles during the month of August, though that is not the extent of news regarding The College Report Online.

In hopes of keeping the Marion County version of The College Report Online in publication, I will be in Marion County during the coming weeks seeking sponsors for the site.

Centralia and Salem are the two largest cities in Marion County, and we need to get six sponsors from each town. It is hoped the other three sponsors will come from other areas in the county.

Though this report is an online production, there are significant costs to producing The College Report Online each week. Money spent on commercial web space, research, writing, editing, travel to secure sponsorships and computer coding all add up.

We are hoping to begin reporting on collegiate athletes from Marion County at the start of September. If we have the required 15 sponsors, we will begin spotlighting the collegiate athletes. If we do not have the sponsors, we will not.

Other areas have chosen to support the work of the College Report, and that will continue both online and in print. After more than three years of operating at a loss in Marion County, it no longer makes sense for my business and my business partners to lose money following these deserving athletes.

This is why I am spending this month on the road in an attempt to save The College Report Online for Marion County.

For the present time, however, keep your eye on this space as we spotlight the successes of graduating seniors in our Senior Salute articles. You will also find additional updates regarding the future of The College Report Online as we get closer to September. Thank you.

— Daniel L. Chamness