By Mark Pszonak
Several former college and NFL stars have recently made the move into coaching. The latest on the list is Santonio Holmes, who was an All-Big Ten wide receiver at Ohio State before having an extremely successful NFL career.
HUGE hire for the Central State Marauders!
— Central State Marauders Football 🏴☠️ (@GoMaraudersFB) May 12, 2025
Super Bowl MVP & NFL veteran Santonio Holmes is joining the staff to lead our wide receivers!
Another elite addition by HC Tony Carter, bringing championship experience and WR excellence to the Yard. @FootballScoop @steelers @nyjets @nfl pic.twitter.com/XkT2K2iIwj
Central State University is a Division II HBCU program located in Ohio. The Marauders have long struggled on the football field but are taking an aggressive approach during the off-season. First, they hired a new head coach in March, Tony Carter, who was a four-year starter at cornerback with Florida State before playing in the NFL for eight seasons and then beginning his coaching career which has included stops in the NFL, college and XFL. Adding Holmes further puts them in the spotlight.
Holmes played with the Buckeyes from 2002 to 2005, where he totaled 140 receptions for 2,295 yards and 25 touchdowns. Selected with the 25th pick in the first round of the 2006 NFL Draft by the Pittsburgh Steelers, Holmes finished his professional career with 389 receptions for 6,030 yards and 36 touchdowns, which also saw stops with the New York Jets and Chicago Bears. Most famously, he was the Super Bowl MVP in 2009 when the Steelers defeated the Arizona Cardinals.
Nobody knows where this will lead Holmes, but it should give the Central State program a boost it desperately needs.
