Coach of Champions: D.L. Holmes and the Making of Detroit’s Track Stars

An advocate of diversity, initiator of self-confidence, and driving force behind winners.

In an era rife with racism and antisemitism, Wayne State University athletic director and track coach D.L. Holmes emerged as a first-rate coach and mentor dedicated to supporting athletes of all races. Throughout his forty-one years at the public university in Detroit (1917-58), he welcomed thousands of athletes--Black, Jewish, Eastern-European, and others--coaching many to become Olympians, world record holders, and national and AAU champions. D.L.’s character, beliefs, and attention to detail allowed members of his teams to achieve more than they ever imagined, despite the challenges of outdated training equipment and the prejudice they faced.

This uplifting account captures D.L.’s uncanny ability to discover and nurture hidden talent and the motivation he inspired in scores of athletes, including several inductees of Wayne State’s Hall of Fame like Tom Adams and Leroy Dues. Author Keith D. Wunderlich weaves team member interviews together with historically informed narratives of Coach Holmes and his runners. Through these stories of athletic greatness and resilience learned through defeat, D.L.’s legacy reveals the enduring power of believing in others.

Keith D. Wunderlich is the grandson of Coach D.L. Holmes and was himself a sprinter in high school. He is the author of Vernor’s Ginger Ale and is a retired public-school administrator. He earned his doctorate at Wayne State University. David L. Holmes Jr. (1932-2023) is the son of Coach D.L. Holmes. He retired as professor emeritus from the College of William and Mary and authored A Brief History of the Episcopal Church. He earned his doctorate at Princeton University.