By Moses Leos III

A week after two high-profile Hays CISD coaches left for other positions, two more head coaches have left the profession entirely. 

Hays volleyball head coach Erica Walther, who stepped down from the job in November, and Lehman softball head coach Bill Holmes both will not return next year. 

With a variety of assistant coach departures, both schools are now on the clock to find suitable replacements. 

Health issues suffered during the season spurred Holmes’ retirement. A pair of ailing knees forced him to schedule double-knee replacement surgery in his hometown of Corpus Christi. 

According to Holmes, the procedure needed to be done. It has affected his career, as the timeline for recovery, along with the coaching job-market left many unknowns. 

“It is a little scary but it is something I have to do because right now the pain is pretty unbearable,” Holmes said in an emailed response. 

Lehman athletic coordinator Todd Raymond understood why Holmes had to step away. 

He lauded the coach for helping turn the Lady Lobos around in his two-year tenure. 

“I’m proud of what he did. He got the team in the playoffs and got through [the bi-district] round,” Raymond said. “We wish him the best. He did a great job with our girls.” 

According to Raymond, filling the coaching vacancy is top priority within the athletic department. However, he said certain challenges apply to finding a new head coach. 

“The part is you want to find a great coach but you have to match it to an open teaching field,” Raymond said. 

According to Raymond, the school is in the process of taking resumes and is beginning the interview process. 

There is no timeline to fill the vacancy. 

Holmes, who was hired in 2012, led the Lady Lobos to a 31-33 record in his two years. He led the program to an 18-13 finish in 2014, which qualified the team to it’s first ever playoff appearance. Lehman completed the season in the area round. 

At Hays, the search for the next volleyball coach began in November when Walther stepped down as the head coach.  

“At the end of the volleyball season, she made a decision to not come back,” LaHue said. “She has not resigned, but opted to not come back as [head coach].” 

Since then, Hays High has searched for Walther’s successor – a process LaHue said is nearly complete. 

It’s the first move for a Hays athletic program which saw Hays softball coach Aaron Fuller and basketball coach Robert Lucero leave late last week. 

In six years at Hays, Walther compiled a 150-123 record, which included five straight postseason appearances. 

“She is a good hard working coach,” LaHue said. “I wish her nothing but success.”