Haverhill, MA (October 20, 2026) – Northern Essex Community College Director of Athletics Dan Blair has announced Mitchell Holmes as the Knights’ new baseball coach and assistant athletic director. He will officially begin his duties at Northern Essex on October 26th.
Prior to joining the Knights program, Holmes spent the previous two seasons as the lead assistant coach at Babson College, where he oversaw hitting and catching and helped lead the recruiting efforts for the Beavers, who captured the 2026 NEWMAC championship and earned the third seed in the NCAA Division III Southern Maine regional. Previously, Holmes spent three seasons on the staff at Holy Cross.
“I’m pleased to welcome Mitch to Northern Essex. He comes highly regarded as one of the great up-and-coming coaches in the region. He’s going to bring a great deal of energy not only to our baseball program but to the entire athletic program and student-athletes at the college,” said Blair.
Holmes also has head coaching experience in the New England Collegiate Baseball League (NECBL) as he led the Vermont Mountaineers for three seasons (2022-2024) and recorded a head coaching record of 88-38 in one of the nation’s premier summer leagues.
“I’m extremely grateful and excited for the opportunity to lead a program with such a strong history of success. I’d like to thank Athletic Director Dan Blair and Executive Vice President Mike McCarthy for this opportunity. I can’t wait to get started and work with the team,” added Holmes.
A graduate of SUNY Cobleskill, Holmes was a three-year member of the Fighting Tigers baseball program, where he completed his bachelor’s degree in plant science in three years before going on to the University of Missouri, where he earned his Masters of Education in Coaching and Athletic Leadership.
For more information about the NECC Knights, contact Director of Athletics Dan Blair.
