Former Gamecock picked to lead Pelion High School football program
Pelion High School has found its next football coach.
Former South Carolina offensive lineman and current Cardinal Newman head coach Cory Helms is the Panthers’ new coach. He replaces Dann Holland, who is moving into a full-time role as the school’s athletic director as Lexington 1 splits its football coach and AD positions.
Helms is the fifth head coach in school history. The school opened in 2001.
“I’m about as excited as it gets,” Helms said. “I can’t wait to get in here and we are going to hit the ground running. ... You guys are going to feel my energy and we are going to do things the right way. We are going to compete in everything we do — the weight room, classroom, conditioning and definitely on Friday nights.
“Friday nights are going to be special here, and the players are going to have a good experience. We are going to bring a lot of pride into the Pelion community.”
Helms becomes the third former Gamecock this month to land a new high school head coaching job, joining Jake Bentley (Nation Ford) and Captain Munnerlyn (Chambers, N.C.). He said there is a chance a former Gamecock or two might be on his coaching staff.
Helms will start at the school March 3 and be the strength and conditioning coach for the rest of this school year. His teaching role going forward is undetermined.
Holland said Helms was one of five finalists for the position. His ability to talk “off script” and develop players on and off the field stood out during the hiring process, Holland said.
“After 10 years it was time for a new voice in the program,” Holland said. “Cory is going to bring some new energy and new way of doing things, which I think we need. I’m excited for him.”
This is Helms’ second head coaching position. He spent the last three years at Cardinal Newman, a private school in Columbia, and compiled a 16-18 record with three playoff appearances. The 16 wins were the most in a three-year span since Cards won 18 from 1997-99.
Helms’ best season came in 2023 when the Cardinals went 9-3 and advanced to the semifinals of the SCISA Class 4A playoffs. The nine wins were the school’s most since 1997 and it was the first semifinal appearance since 2018.
Before Cardinal Newman, Helms spent three seasons as the offensive line and strength coach at Gray Collegiate in West Columbia. He also trains offensive linemen in the state with TrenchWork Performance.
The Georgia native started his college career at Wake Forest before transferring to South Carolina. At USC, he made 46 career starts combined at guard and center.
Helms signed with the New Orleans Saints as a free agent in 2018 and also was on the Cincinnati Bengals’ roster later that year, where he played in two preseason games.
Being a former offensive lineman, Helms wants him to be physical and run the ball.
“We have a brand. We are going to be very physical,” he said. “We are going to be high energy and run the ball well. We are going to active on defense and be a disciplined program. We are going to play loose and have a lot of fun.”
Helms will look to turn around a Pelion program that went 2-9 this season and has had four seasons since 2008 that were .500 or better. The Panthers were 4-3 in 2020 (during COVID) and won their first region championship since 2006.
This story was originally published January 28, 2025 at 8:23 PM.
