A new era has arrived at 2500 Madison Avenue in Covington.
A new head coach. A vision for the future.
Holmes enters the final year of their two-year rebuilding plan before returning to district competition and postseason play in 2027.
Here’s five things to know about the Bulldogs as they approach the 2026 season:
From Helmet to Headset
Holmes head coach Emanuel Golsby isn’t just preparing for his first season as a head coach. He’s doing it proudly at his alma mater.
The biggest difference between his playing days in the early 2000’s and today? The Bulldogs have traded the grass field for turf. Beyond that, Golsby knows exactly what Holmes football is supposed to look like.
“I always said when the time came, if the job opened, I would definitely go for it because this is home,” Golsby said. “I know what the expectations are. I know what we need to do to get things back in order to help the program succeed. The history, the tradition of Holmes runs through my blood. I played here, my brothers played here, my family played here.”
Golsby played on both offense and defense under the late Dave Trosper, a longtime coach in Northern Kentucky.
Next Men Up
After a year of change that included an interim coach, a new schedule and no district or postseason play, Holmes enters the second year of its two-year rebuilding plan under new full-time head coach Emanuel Golsby.
As the upperclassmen help set the standard, the underclassmen are laying the foundation.
“There’s a lot more younger kids than there is older,” senior offensive and defensive lineman Damarcus Foster said. “It’s great to see that. Once me and the other seniors leave, it’s all up to them to keep this going.”
Twenty of the 32 players on Holmes’ roster are underclassmen, and 11 have already gained varsity experience.
“Our young group is pretty talented,” Golsby said. “They’re showing up and they’re hungry to win.”
The Bulldogs’ leading returning rusher and receiver, sophomore My’Ron Stephen, also led the team in interceptions last season. Junior Devon Dunaway returns as Holmes’ leading tackler.
D-I Experience Joins the Sidelines
A new head coach wasn’t the only offseason addition at Holmes. Two former Division I players are now also roaming the Bulldogs’ sideline.
Golsby’s brother, Dale, takes over as the Bulldogs’ offensive coordinator. After coaching at Dixie Heights and Lloyd Memorial, he returns to Holmes, where he also played before continuing his career as a wide receiver at the University of Louisville. He was a senior on Louisville’s 2006 squad that had a 12-1 record, a Big East championship and an Orange Bowl victory.
Another former Louisville standout, Charles Sheffield, joins the staff as wide receivers coach. A Lloyd Memorial graduate, Sheffield played for the Cardinals from 1996-99, finishing his career with 95 receptions for more than 1,000 receiving yards.
“They’re legit,” junior Devon Dunaway said. “The fact that they played D-I, I like that in our coaches. They add discipline that we really needed.”
Friday Nights, Winter Lights
Holmes junior Michael Chames won’t get much rest this school year.
He’ll be one of the Bulldogs’ top playmakers in two sports.
On the football field, Chames is expected to see time at quarterback, running back, wide receiver and defensive back. Last season, he attempted 12 passes, rushed 56 times, caught five passes, had 17 tackles and one interception.
When basketball season arrives, Chames will return as Holmes’ leading scorer after averaging 10.5 points per game.
“No days off,” Chames said. “Keep working hard every day.”
Head coach Emanuel Golsby learned about Chames’ competitive streak the hard way.
“In practice, he asked who could beat him in a 3-point contest, and everybody said me because I’m the basketball player,” Chames said with a laugh. “He said he was gonna beat me, but I beat him pretty bad.”
Chames appeared in 37 varsity games combined last season.
No Playoffs, Plenty to Play For
With no district games or postseason for the second straight season, the Bulldogs have to shift their goals.
After back-to-back winless seasons in 2023 and 2024, the Bulldogs broke through with two victories last season.
The next step is continuing that progress and return to contention.
“We build off of last year,” coach Emanuel Golsby said. “Coach Hop did a great job of putting together the schedule, and it’s aimed for us to continue to grow and continue to get better. There were games they were in; we just have to finish them this year. My expectation, at a minimum, is 5-5, but also to push forward and be 6-4 or 7-3 as we work toward getting back into our district next year.”
Holmes returns to district play in 2027, joining Class 4A, District 7 with Grant County, Harrison County, Highlands and Mason County.