Whitwell High School has named R.C. Helton as its new head football coach. Helton is a 1983 East Ridge graduate who has coached prep football in Arizona for more than 20 years, including the last three seasons at Trevor Browne high in Phoenix.
"The enthusiasm that coach Helton has displayed in the past weeks and during the interview is the type that Whitwell football needs," Principal Josh Holtcamp said. "Good days are certainly ahead for Whitwell football."
Helton becomes the Tigers' seventh head coach in the past 11 years and the program hasn't been to the playoffs since 2005.
"I'm very excited to be back close to home and especially to get the chance to coach at a school and community where football is so important," Helton said. "I know my first job is to establish trust in the kids and the community that I plan to be here for a very long time. We also have to work on the players' mentality to make sure they realize they can compete and win. It's a process that I'm looking forward to."