Youth and amateur Holmes grew up in
Shiloh, Illinois, attended
O'Fallon Township High School, and played
college soccer at
McKendree University and at
Southwestern Illinois College. While at McKendree, he was two-time All-Conference selection and was named American Midwest Conference Newcomer of the Year in 2006. He was the first McKendree University player to sign a professional outdoor soccer contract. During his college years, Holmes also played with the
St. Louis Lions in the
USL Premier Development League, and with local St. Louis amateur club, Fortels (FSC).
Professional Holmes joined the
USL First Division expansion franchise
Austin Aztex in 2009. He made his professional debut on April 18, 2009, in Austin's USL1 season opener against
Minnesota Thunder. He was released by the Aztex at the end of the 2009 season., and re-signed for the
St. Louis Lions in 2010. ==References==