After a felony charge was reduced to a misdemeanor last month, it was reported that the door was left slightly open for Michael Holmes to return to Virginia Tech.
Apparently, that same door has been slammed shut by the university in a move that may or may not be related to the off-field legal issue.
What is known is that, per the Newport News Daily Press’ David Teel, Tech athletic director Jim Weaver has confirmed that the running back has been “permanently separated” from the school. A student judicial board made the decision to dismiss Holmes, although, due to student privacy laws, Weaver is unaware of exactly why the player was given the boot.
“I don’t know exactly what the situation is,” Weaver said according to the Daily Press. “This is a difficult one to communicate. … I can only tell you what has occurred.”
The running back was initially charged with two counts of simple assault and one count of malicious wounding following an April incident. Holmes’ current girlfriend was attacked by his former girlfriend as well as a female cousin, while Holmes’ male cousin joined the fray and suffered multiple injuries at the hands of the player.
Holmes had claimed self-defense, a tactic that the Commonwealth’s Attorney at least partially agreed with as the two simple assault charges were dropped and the malicious wounding, a felony, was reduced to misdemeanor assault and battery. As part of the plea agreement, Holmes received a suspended 12-month jail sentence and probation as well as being ordered to pay more than $13,000 in restitution to one of the victims.
It was reported last month that Weaver and head coach Frank Beamer were on the verge of reinstating Holmes. The judicial board’s decision took that option out of their hands.
After rushing for 280 yards as a freshman last season, Holmes was viewed as a player who would’ve been expected to carry a more significant role in Tech’s running game this season.