J.W. “Jake” Helms†
Inducted 1996
Hometown: San Benito
High School: San Benito High School
College: Centenary (La.) College, Texas A&I University
Best Known for: Coaching – Football
Helms led the 1961 San Benito High School to the Class 3A state semifinals and compiled a 62-18-5 record from 1957-63, with two district titles in the Valley's toughest league. His son, Jim, was one of the best Valley players ever.
As a player, he had been a standout end for Centenary College and then Texas A&I University in the late 1940s, and before coaching at San Benito he was a football assistant and head track leader at Brownsville Junior College from 1948-51. Then came stints at Laredo and Freer, where he coached a state semi-final Buckaroo squad in 1954.
A successful coach at all levels, Helms left high school with 95 career wins and became an assistant for Texas A&M University from 1965-68, serving as freshman coach or three seasons and also handling Aggie recruiting for the South Texas region during that time.