LA MIRADA, Calif. --- As Dr. Dave Holmquist continues his climb to 1,000 career coaching victories (998-409), we will to take some time to look back at some memorable moments during his five-plus decades at Biola. Today, we begin the series with a re-publishing of the article announcing Holmquist's hiring as Co-Head Coach at Biola College in advance of the 1978-79 season.

Holmquist teamed with 8th-year head coach Howard Lyon to lead the Eagles to a 17-15 overall record during that initial campaign, spearheaded by leading scorer and future NAIA All-American Greg Berglund. It was Holmquist's fourth year as a head coach, coming back to Biola following three seasons leading Fresno Pacific. He came to Biola with 36 coaching wins already under his belt.

The first Biola coaching victory for Dr. Dave Holmquist came vs. Vanguard University (then Southern California College) on November 30, 1978. It was an 80-67 Biola victory in the first game of the season. The Eagles were led by a 25-point effort from Berglund and a 24-point, 8-rebound effort from Joel Fry. Biola shot 60 percent from the field and made 18-of-22 from the free-throw line to clinch the win.

Holmquist and Lyon co-coached Biola Men's Basketball together for nine seasons, compiling an overall record of 246-51 (.828) during those nine years. They led Biola to the NAIA National Championship game in 1982 with a 39-1 overall record and had exceptional teams year-in and year-out, winning 25 or more games in eight of the nine years.
On the surface, the concept of having co-coaches on the college level is a novel experiment. Certainly, Biola College's new dynamic duo of the basketball court, Howard Lyon and Dave Holmquist, are unique among NAIA schools of the Southland.

But, according to Lyon, who joined the Biola staff seven years ago, the practice of co-coaching is seen at many campuses. It simply masquerades as the traditional head coach and assistant coach concept.

"A lot of programs have co-coaches," says Lyon, who has both a B.A. and an M.A. from Cal State Long Beach. "They just give one man all the credit. I've wanted a full time, on-campus instructor to help us out for a long time; our programs have tripled since I came seven years ago."

So when Holmquist resigned at Fresno Pacific, after leading his Vikings to the No. 1 defensive ranking in the NAIA last season, Lyon asked him to join the Biola staff. Holmquist, a Biola graduate and an assistant coach during 1974 and 1975, accepted.

"I'm excited about the possibilities of co-coaching," he said at the time. "I wouldn't recommend it to everyone, but I think we've worked out the responsibilities well enough." 

Lyon agreed.

"We feel as long as our philosophies are close--and it's hard for any two coaches to have similar philosophies--there just won't be any negative sides. Of course, only time will tell."

According to Lyon, the idea of maintaining the Biola basketball program at its current level was the thought behind hiring Holmquist. The Eagles have had four consecutive seasons with 20 wins or more, and have made the district playoffs each of those years. 

With quality basketball continuing to be a priority, the two men have used the criteria of strengths and weaknesses for dividing responsibilities.

Holmquist, the defensive genius, will handle the defense and be responsible for recruiting. Lyon, the patient playmaker who has molded three All-Americans in six years--Ron Johnson, Billy Ingram and Tim Warkentin--will take charge of the offense and the scheduling of games.

Recruiting has always been Holmquists' forte.

"I guess the word would be personable," says Lyon. "Dave has a very personable approach. He has genuine concern for those he is recruiting."

Already, Holmquist is paying dividends. Two of Biola's top recruits this season are a direct result of his involvement: Jeff Weber, a 6-foot-6-inch transfer from USC, and Pat McDougall, a 6-foot-8-inch transfer from Fresno State.

Thus far, both coaches are pleased with the arrangements.

"I feel more optimistic, more confident going into this season than I have felt in a long time," says Lyon. "I've felt the job was getting too big for one man, and Dave fits in real well."

Says Holmquist, "The situation allows us to specialize more in coaching and to zero in on specific areas of the game. I'm having fun; it's a lot more relaxed this way than when I was coaching myself."

How successful the two coaches will be remains to be seen. But Biola fans are hoping the two "heads" will indeed be better than one.