Xavier University of Louisiana has surprisingly dismissed baseball coach Adrian Holloway. This comes just four years into his tenure, after baseball was relaunched in 2021 when the program finished the season 27-11 in its return to collegiate competition since 1960. The dismissal was a surprise, multiple sources told Black College Nines.
Adrian Holloway made a huge impact in his first year as head baseball coach at Xavier University. The Selma, Alabama native and Alabama State graduate was named Black College Nines’ small school Coach of the Year in 2021.
Holloway compiled an overall record of 75-84 in four years at Xavier and in the inaugural Black College World Series in 2021 finished second losing to Bluefield State. Since then, the Gold Rush team has been beset by injuries.
Prior to his appointment at Xavier, Adrian Holloway was the head coach for six seasons (2014-19) at Selma University. During that time the Bulldogs’ accomplishments included a 117-59 (.665) record, six consecutive national tournament appearances, world series appearances in the United States Collegiate Athletic Association in 2014, 2018 and 2019, a No. 1 power ranking in the USCAA in 2018 and 2019, plus a No. 1 ranking in the USCAA in 2014, and Top 10 rankings in the National Christian College Athletic Association in 2015 and 2016.
Sources have stated it was not a snap-of-the-finger decision and that the school has no timeline to find a new coach.
We were told players were not satisfied with their playing time and were disgruntled by the lack of cracking the starting lineup which caused dissension among the coaching staff and led to both players and parents complaining to the athletic department.
Before jumping to blaming the players as the article suggests, look at facts listed first. Following a successful 27-11 season in 2021, there were 48 wins in 3 seasons with no postseason wins. That is not a definition of progress
Regarding injuries, only the 2023 season saw starters get hurt for multiple games and it was at a point when playoff contention was nearly impossible.
Why would an administration dismiss a coach simply bc players are unhappy about playing? There would be a lot of available coaching jobs if disgruntled players was enough to fire a coach. Few reasons to be on a college baseball team if you don’t want to play. Just maybe there are reasons for the decision that people outside a program wouldn’t know.
What are we teaching our kids, if you can’t get your way whine and complain instead of working harder to earn it. I’m thinking about what Michael Jordan mom told him when he didn’t make the varsity team, work harder, she didn’t go to the coach, administration, or other parents and complain. I’m sorry Coach Holloway was the scapegoat for people who feel they are privileged. Now there are always three sides to every story and I don’t know what really happened so my comment is based on what was reported. My family and I wish Coach Holloway the best, he’s going to rise. My family have nothing but praise for Coach Holloway and my son was a freshman. He made a huge impact on my son in the year he’s known him. I hope those who complained realize “the devil you know is better than the one you don’t.”
Anonymous
Xavier never fully invested in this program and was in a position to really make a mark on college baseball in NAIA⚾️
No on campus training facility or support for real fundraising opportunities
No consistent or dedicated academic support for athletes to support the coach to keep athletes eligible and competitive. President of university or hogher administration rarely seen at any contests.
This was a university administration and athletic department fail, not a coaching fail. Not saying Coach was perfect or you can’t start fresh, their call, just saying their were numerous university ball drops and lost opportunities with the relaunch of this baseball program. This coach moved to a more competitive conference (RR), graduated atudent athletes,and got some significant wins in it. Disappointed in a usual class act university like XULA on this call. Hope they get this right moving forward. Baseball is not cheap, nor easy to maintain. Let’s play ball XULA Athletics!
Sad story and even worse for black college baseball. Black baseball players and black coaches face struggles all around. It is disheartening to see stories like this.
PLAYING TIME ? COACH IS BETTER OFF SOMEWHERE ELSE . IF YOUR ADMINISTRATION HAS YOUR BACK LIKE THAT . SEE YA ! HERE IS THE BIG PROBLEM , YOU HAVE GROWN MEN . STILL WHINING TO THEIR PARENTS . AND PARENTS COMPLAINING TO ADMINISTRATION. SAD TRUTH IS THAT SOME PARENTS THINK THEIR KIDS ARE THE BEST . WELL THEIR NOT AND TO BE APART OF ANY VOLLEGE PROGRAM IS A VERY FORTUNATE ONE . YOU TRY PULLING THAT SHIT AT D1 LEVEL . SEE WHAT COMES OF THAT . GROW UP BOYS !
Adrian Holloway is a great person and a great Coach. Xavier definitely got this wrong.
Wow that’s crazy. What are parents doing involved in college baseball.
Playing time ? Name a college program where players aren’t disgruntled…. This is college baseball… The starters are for the most part determined in the fall… Unless that player gets injured or doesn’t perform as expected backups will get limited appearances… Better make the best of your time when you get it… BUst your hump during practice and be engaged in the dugout…