Photo by Joshua Guerra
A lot of eyes have been on the Texas Men’s Basketball program since Butler eliminated the team in the first round of the NCAA Tournament on March 19. In the week following the end of a disappointing season, head coach Rick Barnes and his staff left the program, and Myles Turner, Big 12 freshman of the year, declared for the NBA Draft. Since these events, the focus has shifted onto the hiring of new head coach Shaka Smart. But not enough attention is being paid to another change in the Texas basketball program: the departure of senior Jonathan Holmes.
Holmes will be dearly missed as a new era of Longhorn basketball is born. The following is a letter thanking Holmes for an incredible four-year career at the University of Texas at Austin.
By Corey Tatel
Dear Mr. Holmes,
What a roller-coaster of a career you’ve had, and what a pleasure it has been for Longhorn fans to watch you evolve as both a player and a leader. It wasn’t always easy, and it wasn’t always pretty.To say that there have been ups and downs would be an understatement. You’ve been part of a team that shocked the world your junior year and part of two disappointing teams during your sophomore and senior seasons. Beyond the 1,166 points that place you 24th on Texas’ all-time leading scorers list. Beyond the three NCAA Tournament berths. The numbers are great, but the strength, leadership and character you’ve displayed since setting foot on the 40 Acres are what we would truly like to thank you for.
Thank you for your loyalty. Your dedication to the University of Texas and the basketball program never wavered no matter how bad things got. After playing making the tournament your freshman year, things were looking optimistic for your second season at Texas. But unfortunately things fell apart. A lack of team chemistry and execution led to a 16-18 finish, and the team became the only team in the Rick Barnes Era to miss the NCAA Tournament.
Immediately following that disaster of a season, most of the players you came to Texas with left. Myke Kabongo left for the NBA. Sheldon McClellan transferred to Miami. Julien Lewis transferred to Fresno State. But you decided to stay. The state of Texas Basketball looked darker than it ever had under Rick Barnes, but you remained loyal. You stayed even with the understanding that you may not be competing for championships in order to get the Texas program back on the map. As you tweeted when Rick Barnes was dismissed on March 28, “loyalty is in our blood.” You’ve certainly backed that statement throughout your career and Longhorn fans will be forever grateful for that loyalty.
Thank you for your leadership. Since you decided to return to Texas after your sophomore season, you have been the ultimate leader. You became the only veteran of a young, inexperienced group. You were selected as team captain your junior and senior seasons, and you were a captain in every sense of the word. You may not be the most vocal leader, but you lead by example. As Barnes said in 2014, “he leads by the way he goes about his business.”
Young players like Isaiah Taylor, Cam Ridley and Myles Turner looked up to you because of your work ethic. Under low expectations, you inspired them and led a group of players back to the tournament during your junior year. Without your leadership, it’s a very real possibility that the Texas Basketball program could have taken a turn for the worst after your sophomore season. Who knows what shape it’d be in now?
Thank you for always stepping up when it mattered most. Whenever the Horns needed a big shot at the end of a game, fans knew they could always count on you. You are as clutch as they come, Mr. Holmes, and you’ve provided us with two of the most memorable game-winners in years.
Thank you for the unforgettable corner shot against Kansas State on Jan. 21 of last season.
Moses Holmes • May 23, 2015 at 4:30 am
Mr. Tatel,
This article could not capture a better depiction of Jonathan’s career by citing his upstanding character as a student, leader, and athlete. I commend your insights in acknowledging Jon’s attributes as a highly competitive, supportive, and loyal leader. Jon has consistently worked hard aspiring to improve himself and his team mates. He requested not to start a game following his return from a concussion, selflessly to allow the team’s current success to continue by starting the former line up. What player in this era of team sports would envision such sacrifice? Team first has been Jon’s motto in his drive to win both on the court and in the classroom and in life. I commend Mr. & Mrs. Mike Stubbs for their support of Jon. Mike thanks for the heartfelt comments, too!
Over the years, I have observed Jon’s growth and development as an athlete in the bleachers at Antonian b-ball games, summertime AAU tourneys, and many UT games (disowning my alma mater by publicly displaying the ‘Horn’ symbol more times than I would dare to admit!) Albeit, my comments are not with some degree of bias, my objectivity as a former college athlete and sports official enables me to objectively scrutinize in assessing Jon as a gifted athlete. Whether on the court, in business, or in life, Jon will represent the UT proud!
Mike Stubbs • Apr 14, 2015 at 7:14 pm
Great article Mr. Tatel, it has been an absolute pleasure to watch Jonathan through the years. He went to Antonian College Prep with my nephew down in San Antonio and my wife and I always tried to make the drive from where we lived in Robards to see him play. He truly is a testament to the loyalty that we take pride in as Longhorns. I don’t think I will ever forget that magnificent game he had his junior year where they beat then #6 Kansas. Mr. Holmes made me proud to root on the Horns, and even when others decided to leave, he kept faith. You captured the essence of what he has given us perfectly Mr. Tatel. For that I commend you, and continue to be a dedicated Orange Magazine reader. It is only a matter of time until you and Mr. Kinard are appearing in my monthly subscriptions of Sports Illustrated, ESPN, etc. Jonathan Holmes will be missed, as will Coach Barnes, but we will never give up hope, because I know a season like the 2003 Final Four run is still in them. We welcome Shaka, and we also welcome Mr. Tatel, a true gem in the Orange Magazine department, and journalism world in general.
– Mike Stubbs
Class of ’75