In the midst of one of the worst times in history, World War 2, Michael Terrence Holland entered the world. At that moment, the best any parent can hope for is a healthy child that will live in a peaceful world and one that will leave a positive mark on the world. Terry Holland definitely left his mark.
A tall, somewhat lanky figure, Terry Holland sought and received a degree in economics at Davidson where he also happened to letter in basketball for three years. There, he was introduced to the strategies of one Lefty Driesell who was already well on his way to being a legend in college basketball. Driesell, with Holland as captain led Davidson to their first nationally ranked team in school history. It may well have been a sign of things to come.
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Holland was hooked. Following his graduation in 1964 he became an assistant under Driesell and ultimately, five years later when Lefty departed for Maryland, became the head coach of the Wildcats. He immediately demonstrated that when it came to coaching, he was no slouch. Holland was named the Southern Conference Coach of the Year three times between 1969 and 1974. That’s the kind of thing that grabs the attention of other schools looking for leadership in their programs.
Holland
Virginia was one such school. Competing in basketball in the ACC was and still is no small challenge. Holland set about creating a program that could keep pace with the Tobacco Road schools. One move was signing the nation’s top-ranked high school star, an in-state player named Ralph Sampson. Sampson’s three time collegiate national player of the year awards helped further move the program in the right direction through the attention it garnered.
During his tenure as head coach he took Virginia to a pair of Final Four appearances, an NIT title and three ACC Tournament championships. Holland, until recently was the winningest men’s basketball in the program’s history with a record of 326-173 which earned him two ACC Coach of the Year awards.
In 1990 he returned to Davidson to take on the challenges of athletic director. By 1995, Holland found himself back in Charlottesville to take on the same position and set about re-invigorating the athletic facilities at Virginia. He moved from AD to Special Assistant to the President in 2001 before hearing, once again, the call to take on challenges at an emerging East Carolina. Holland left his mark until he departed at the end of 2012.
Holland helped build, restructure and infuse multiple programs over his lengthy career in collegiate athletics. His experience, expertise and knowledge was shared over the years via media work and through the many assistants in his programs that moved on to successfully lead programs including Miami’s Jim Larrañaga.
Those who knew him personally say he was unassuming and upbeat. A positive role model for many. Most assuredly, he left his mark on the ACC and college sports.
Michael Terrence Holland departed this life on Sunday, February 26, 2023 in Charlottesville. His contributions should be appreciated and certainly never forgotten.
