Walt Holmes coached Houston High, just outside Memphis, into not only a powerhouse team from West Tennessee, he made the Black Horse Invitational one the premiere regional events regularly attracting powers from LA, AL, OK and MO. Walt was one of the few dynamic personalities that create coalitions. And Walt always had a bigger vision than his immediate sphere. Along with Tony Bradley and others, Walt ran a top notch freestyle and greco program (Mid-South) during the off season where all the kids from West Tennessee were welcome not just the kids feeding into his program. Many top national caliber wrestlers came through that program.

Walt has been a member of the TN Chapter board since it was revived in 2005 and continues giving back to the sport as a valued member of the wrestling community.