Chapin High School Names New Head Football Coach

For Immediate Release – January 28, 2026

Chapin High School Names New Head Football Coach

IRMO – Lexington-Richland School District Five has named Cory Helms as the new head football coach for Chapin High School.

Helms brings a proven history of building successful programs, developing student-athletes, and leading with discipline, accountability, and integrity. A former standout SEC offensive lineman at the University of South Carolina, Helms also spent time in the NFL, including a season with the Cincinnati Bengals. With his experience as an elite player and proven coach, Helms will bring energy, knowledge, and passion to the Chapin Football program.

“This is a job that I have wanted since I got into coaching,” Helms said. “Chapin is a special place and has the opportunity to become a premiere football program in the state of South Carolina. There is not anyone who will work harder to achieve that than I will. I am excited to get to work!”

Helms most recently served as Head Football Coach and Assistant Athletic Director at Pelion High School, where he took over a two-win program and guided the team to five victories in his first season, marking the program’s most wins since 2014.

Prior to Pelion, Helms spent three seasons at Cardinal Newman School as Head Football Coach, Assistant Athletic Director and the Strength and Conditioning Coach. During his tenure, he expanded the football program from 22 players to more than 100 student-athletes across three teams and led the varsity program from a 5–6 record in his first year to a 9–3 finish in year two, the second-most wins in school history, following a 1–18 stretch prior to his arrival. Helms also brings championship experience from Gray Collegiate Academy, where he served as Head Strength and Conditioning Coach, Offensive Line Coach, and Run Game Coordinator. While there, Gray Collegiate won the 2021 SCHSL 2A State Championship and three consecutive region titles.

At the collegiate level, Helms served as a Graduate Assistant Strength Coach at the University of South Carolina, assisting with strength programming and offensive line development.

A former SEC offensive lineman at the University of South Carolina, Helms started 46 of 47 collegiate games. Following his college career, he gained professional experience during the 2018 NFL season, working with the New Orleans Saints and Cincinnati Bengals.

“Coach Helms is going to bring renewed energy to the Chapin football program,” Chapin High School Athletic Director Billie Williams said. “He believes in accountability, hard work, and discipline, while also placing a strong emphasis on building meaningful relationships with our players. I’m excited to watch him help our student-athletes buy into a true football culture. Cory has spent the last several years helping programs grow into consistent competitors, and I’m confident he will do the same at Chapin High School. This is the right time for Coach Helms and Chapin football, and I’m looking forward to watching him grow our program.”

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