“I’m disappointed that I’m not the head coach, but I’m not discouraged,” Helms said. “If you look at the body of work, I certainly would have liked to have won more games.”
Helms had the misfortune to follow Jim Place as the Eagles’ coach. Under Place, CJ football won the 2002 Division II state title and was a playoff regular.
Helms posted three winning seasons, including a best 8-3 in 2009. But his overall record was 29-22, and the Eagles were 0-1 in the playoffs. CJ was 4-6 last season and five of the losses were by seven points or less.
“We certainly do want to be more competitive in the (Greater Catholic League North Division) and make more regular appearances in the playoffs,” said Payne.
Helms is at least the third area football coach to leave his coaching position after last season. Longtime assistant Bob Levy was named to replace Steve Bartlett, who retired from coaching at Carroll after 16 seasons last fall. Also, Dan Cairns left Sidney after six seasons to become Parkway’s head coach last month. The Yellow Jackets position remains open.
CJ will take applications through Feb. 25 and hopes to hire a coach by the end of March.
Helms came to CJ after several successful seasons at East Clinton, where the Astros were playoff regulars.
Ironically, CJ’s greatest victory was Helms’ last game, a 13-6 upset of Alter that cost the Knights’ a top Division IV playoff seed. However, that was CJ’s only defeat of its GCL rival in Helms’ five games. The Knights outscored the Eagles a combined 158-63.
CJ was 2-3 vs. Carroll and 4-1 vs. Fenwick, its two other North Division foes.
“I’m sure that based on that rich tradition and expectations that we’ll get plenty of qualified candidates,” Payne said. “I have a few names in mind and I’ve had a few names thrown at me.”
Helms will remain at CJ as a full-time business teacher.
Contact this reporter at (937) 225-2381 or mpendleton@DaytonDailyNews.com.
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