South Carolina alum gets new local head coaching gig
South Carolina football alum Cory Helms will be the next head coach of the Pelion Panthers. Helms replaces Dann Holland (the school’s new athletic director) following the latter’s 10th season in charge of the Panthers program. Helms will take over a Pelion squad that struggled to a 1-9 record during the 2024 season. The school announced Helms’ hire during a press conference on Wednesday.
Prior to making the move over to Pelion, Helms served as the head coach at Cardinal Newman for three seasons. His best season leading the Cardinals came in 2023 when he piloted the team to a 9-3 record and a playoff run. Cardinal Newman was Helms’ first head coaching job, but he worked on the offensive staff at Gray Collegiate Academy after his playing career ended.
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Helms joins former USC teammate Jake Bentley in earning a new Palmetto State head coaching gig this offseason. A long-time Gamecock starter at quarterback, Bentley is the new headman at Nation Ford High School in Fort Mill. Another former Gamecock, defensive back Captain Munnerlyn, also became the head coach at Chambers High School in Charlotte last week. Other South Carolina alums Seth Strickland, Cedric Williams, Addison Williams, and Jason Barnes have made moves as college assistant coaches this offseason. Former USC defensive back Chris Hampton is a candidate for Ohio State’s defensive coordinator opening.
During his South Carolina football career, Helms was a primary starter for two years (2016 and 2017). A former captain, he started one game at center before moving to guard for his remaining 22 starts. Before arriving in Columbia via transfer, Helms began his college football playing days with the Wake Forest Demon Deacons. He also spent a brief stint in the NFL after going undrafted following the 2018 season.
