Jim Helms
Inducted 1996
Hometown: San Benito
High School: San Benito High School
College: The University of Texas
Best Known for: Athlete and Coach-Football
Helms was a stellar runner for San Benito High School in the early 1960s who went on to help The University of Texas win two bowl games in his college career. He rushed for more than 3,000 yards with 12 touchdowns of over 50 yards as a Greyhound, and led the team coached by his father, Jake, to the Class 2A state semifinals as a junior in 1961.
A 10.1 sprinter in the 100, Helms was a breakaway threat who made all-district three times, including on both offense and defense in two successive seasons. At Texas, he played both halfback and safety for Darrell Royal.
Helms was the head coach at Cameron (Okla.) University in the 1970s, and was an assistant with Texas, Oklahoma, Ole Miss, Illinois and Oklahoma State before returning to the Valley to coach Brownsville schools Porter and Rivera, along with Harlingen South. He coached Porter to a district championship in 2004.