 He was trained as a high-voltage electrician, but later worked as a sporting goods representative and a coach, both in athletics and football.He coached Olympic pole vaulter Claus Schiprowski, Reinhard Kuretzky and Günther Nickel, and later managed German Bundesliga side SC Fortuna Köln in football.Holdorf is the father of Dirk Holdorf, a former professional football player.