Helm had served as the interim athletic director ever since Childress shockingly reassigned former head coach Jason Sims after seven seasons in early April.
Childress superintendent Carl Taylor said the school saw close to 40 applicants, and did three in-person interviews with quality candidates including Helm.
“We had some great options,” Taylor said. “This was a tough decision, but Bo is a great young coach and very mature. He’s great with our kids, he has the backing of the community, and this was a great hire. This is the perfect fit for Childress. Bo is a coach and man that does everything the right way.”
This is Helm’s first head coaching job. The 32-year old is a home grown product graduating from Childress in 2008.
Helm had spent the past two years as the Bobcats defensive coordinator, and seven seasons as an assistant on staff.
“I am extremely excited for this opportunity,” Helm said. “I haven’t slept great the past few days, but I can’t wait to move forward. I can’t thank coach Jason Sims for all he’s done for me, and his openness during this process. Legendary coach, Charlie Johnston, has also been a huge supporter of me. He met me at my house after the board meeting to congratulate me. That meant the world. Superintendent Carl Taylor, and our principal Paige Steed have been amazing during this process, as well as the school board. Being a head coach in my hometown is a dream for me.”
Helm takes over a Childress program that returns 15 starters off a team that went 9-1 last fall, as the Bobcats finished their first undefeated regular season in 30 years. As for Helm’s philosophy, he intends to keep building Childress into the top small school program it has become in the Texas Panhandle.
“We have a lot of experience returning,” Helm said. “The guys are all bought in. I was humbled by the responses I got from the community, and kids after I was announced as the new head coach. The focus we have here in Childress is to continue the success we’ve had, and go compete with a high intensity in all we do. We want to keep taking those next steps moving forward.”