Randolph grad Holman returning to alma mater as football coach

Tarig Holman is coming home. Holman was approved as the new football coach at his alma mater, Randolph High School, at a school board meeting on Tuesday night.

An English teacher and the head football coach at Trenton Central, Holman interviewed for the job on Jan. 30. His younger brother, Austin Holman, was also a candidate.

Tarig Holman replaces Joe Lusardi, the head coach for the past 14 years and a part of the program for 40. The Rams endured a difficult season. Lusardi had quadruple bypass surgery in July, and two Randolph football players -- Jack Timmerman and Calvin Verduga -- died in a car accident a couple of weeks later. Randolph finished 5-5, losing to Roxbury in the NJSIAA North 1 Group IV first round.

"Mr. Holman, this approval brings you back to Randolph and I couldn't be more proud of this recommendation and hire," Superintendent David Browne said in a statement. "As you so aptly put it in your interview, welcome home."

Holman will also teach English at Randolph, after finishing the school year at Trenton Central. He led Trenton Central to the playoffs in back to back seasons, the team's fourth coach in as many years.

Holman didn't play football until his family moved to Randolph before eighth grade, where he played for John Bauer Jr. He was a three-year starter at cornerback for the University of Iowa, and the only college player to intercept Patriots quarterback Tom Brady twice in the same game. He signed with Tampa Bay as an undrafted free agent after graduating in 2000, playing for head coach Tony Dungy and position coach Herm Edwards, but seriously injured his hamstring in a preseason game against Miami, ending his pro career.

Holman's teaching and coaching career started shortly afterward, as a permanent substitute and assistant football coach at Mount Olive. He also volunteered at his alma mater, then worked with the football and track programs at New Brunswick, Highland Park, South Brunswick and Montgomery.

"I coach not so I can relive it, but so the kids I coach can have some of the same experiences I had," said Holman, who lives in Lumberton. "I try to allow some of those things to happen, and it's fun to see when they have moments like that."