Nick Holota has reached 250 career coaching wins and led Middle Creek to NCHSAA 4A state championships in 2017 and 2022. His coaching career spans more than 20 years of high school and youth lacrosse.
A former NC State attackman and two-year team captain, Holota has coached multiple All-Americans and collegiate players, with his athletes also earning Academic All-America recognition. His work at Middle Creek reflects a commitment to excellence on the field, in the classroom, and in the community.
Full bio & accomplishments
Coaching accomplishments
- 250 career coaching wins.
- Two NCHSAA 4A state championships: an undefeated 22–0 season in 2017 and a 23–2 championship season in 2022.
- Four state championship game appearances: 2017, 2018, 2022, and 2026.
- Seven Middle Creek conference championships: 2017, 2018, 2019, 2021, 2022, 2023, and 2025.
- 43 consecutive victories across the 2017 and 2018 seasons.
- Additional state semifinal appearances in 2019, 2023, and 2025.
- Developed players who earned All-America and Academic All-America honors and continued into college lacrosse.
Honors & selections
- 2017 NFHS North Carolina Coach of the Year.
- 2019 and 2021 SWAC Coach of the Year.
- 2010 North Carolina High School Lacrosse Man of the Year.
- 2008 North Carolina High School Lacrosse Assistant Coach of the Year.
- 2009 Head Coach, East Regional State Games Team.
Developing players for the next level
Holota’s former players include Owen Caputo and Jake Caputo, both high school All-Americans who went on to Duke, and James Cardillo, an All-American and two-time Academic All-American who continued at Washington & Lee. Other Mustangs have gone on to programs including North Carolina, Johns Hopkins, High Point, Hobart, and Mercer. Explore Middle Creek’s college lacrosse players.
Playing background
Originally from Livingston, New Jersey, Holota began playing lacrosse in middle school. He earned all-conference and 2002 All-State honors as an attackman at Livingston High School and set the school’s single-season scoring record as a senior. At NC State University, he was a four-year starter and served as team captain during his junior and senior seasons. He earned All-SELC recognition in 2006 and led the Wolfpack with 49 points in his final season.
Teaching & growing the game
Before joining Middle Creek, Holota spent eight seasons as head assistant coach at Holly Springs High School and held head varsity and junior varsity coaching roles at Southeast Raleigh High School. His experience also includes recreation and travel lacrosse, working with players from kindergarten through 12th grade. After graduating from NC State, he operated Battle Lacrosse, one of the Triangle’s first dedicated lacrosse stores, supporting the sport’s growth in the area.
Holota holds a bachelor’s degree in Political Science from NC State University and a master’s degree in Education, with certifications in middle and high school education. Teaching, leadership, and player development connect his work in the classroom with his approach to coaching.
