From Carnegie Mellon University Athletics

The Carnegie Mellon University football program, under the direction of head coach Rich Lackner, announced the hiring of Andy Helms as offensive coordinator. Helms, a 1993 graduate of the Carnegie Mellon Tepper School of Business, will take over the play calling for longtime Tartan offensive coordinator Rich Erdelyi, who announced his retirement in November.

"I am thrilled that Andy Helms has accepted the position as our offensive coordinator at Carnegie Mellon.  Andy was a great player during his four years at CMU and brings the same enthusiasm and passion to his coaching," said Lackner.  "Based on Andy's background and skill set, I am confident that he will prove to be an excellent fit as the next offensive coordinator for the Tartans."

Helms returns to Carnegie Mellon after playing four years for the Tartans as a safety from 1989-92.  He was named team captain his senior season and currently is tied for the single-season interception record with seven.  Helms also ranks third on the career interception chart with 13.  While playing for the Tartans, he was a two-time All-University Athletic Association (UAA) selection and an All-American following the 1991 and 1992 seasons.

"I am blessed to have the opportunity to return to my alma mater and am especially grateful to work with two of the men [Coach Lackner and Defensive Coordinator Terry Bodnar] that have been great professional mentors to me, as well as sources of true personal support over the years," commented Helms. "I am excited to get to work and do all that I can to help continue the football program's proud tradition of success at Carnegie Mellon."  

Helms began his coaching career in 1993 as an assistant varsity coach for the Newark City Schools before having a five-year stint at Denison University in Granville, Ohio.  While at Denison, he coached the wide receivers, defensive backs and running backs before being named offensive coordinator. Besides coaching football at Denison, he was the assistant baseball and track and field coach for the Big Red.

Following the 1998 season, Helms left the collegiate ranks and became the head coach at William V. Fisher Catholic (1999-02), East Clinton (2003-05) and Chaminade Julienne Catholic (2006-10) High Schools.  While the head coach at each of the schools, Helms also worked as a teacher.   Throughout his tenure at William V. Fisher he also served as the athletics director.  In 2011, he was the offensive coordinator at Springfield High School followed by a year as the quarterbacks coach at Trotwood-Madison High School, which finished as the Ohio Division II State Runners-up. This past season, Helms assisted at LaSalle High School.

"We couldn't be more excited to welcome Coach Helms home to Carnegie Mellon," said Interim Director of Athletics Josh Centor. "He is passionate about the university and our program, and his enthusiasm is contagious. He has a proven track record at both the high school and college levels and we are looking forward to seeing him back on the sidelines in Gesling Stadium."

Helms holds a Bachelor of Science degree in industrial management and graphic communications management from the Tepper School of Business. He earned his master's degree from Mount Vernon Nazarene University in September of 2010 in curriculum and instruction.

A member of the Carnegie Mellon All-UAA 25th Anniversary Football Team, Helms was also a two-year varsity track and field athlete for the Tartans.  He earned All-UAA honors on four occasions and was part of the 1993 UAA Outdoor Track and Field Championship squad.

Helms, a native of Newark, Ohio, and his wife Andi have four children, Addi (17), Tucker (14), Tess (11) and Tate (8). They are expecting their fifth child in April and currently live in Dayton, Ohio.