After being raised in Troy, long time assistant coach and defensive coordinator at Charles Henderson, Adam Helms is leaving to take over the defensive coordinator position at Andalusia High School.

Helms and his wife are both from Troy and while the couple is sad to be leaving, they are eagerly awaiting the start of a new chapter in their lives.

After coaching a year and a half in Slocomb, Helms had the opportunity to coach at his alma mater, Charles Hendreson, one he could not easily pass up having played on the football team during his time as a Trojan.

“The number goal of mine was to be able to come back to my hometown to work,” Helms said. “I was able to be with coach Fountain, a man that did a terrific job and was there a long time. I was able to work under some great guys while I was there. They were a great group of guys. To be honest with you, I have cherished every second that I was in Troy. Charles Henderson is a great school.”

Helms said he felt like it would take an amazing opprotunity for him and his wife to uproot and leave Troy once agian, but Helms believes the move to Andalusia’s coaching staff is just the opprotunity the pair was looking for.

“I feel like now is the time,” Helms said. “I have been given a great opportunity. I always thought that I wasn’t going to leave just to leave. Coach Taylor at Andalusia was a great hire and we got to talking, and he gave me this opportunity.”

Helms will be working as the defensive coordinator for Andalusia, a class 4A football team and one that Helms is already familiar with, having played them numerous times in seasons past making the transition just that much easier for the family to make.

“Growing up, Andalusia was always a tough game,” Helms said. “Just like an Eufaula or a Greenville game, facing them was going to be a tough game. I saw it as a good opportunity to be able to branch out and experience new things. Andalusia has the potential to do something special. They have great facilities and a community that loves football.”

The closeness of the Troy community and the support that he and his family received while in Troy is something that Helms said he and his family will take with him them wherever they go in the future.

“The community of Troy is second to none,” Helms said. “There is no better place to live in America. When you grow up and you start playing recreation league sports, and the people are so involved. It is a great community as a whole.”

Both of Helms’ parents were involved with the Troy City Schools system, and he knows the importance of well run school, something Helms said he would also take with him to Andalusia.

“Over the years the Troy schools have really grown and they are always looking to expand on facilities and technology,” Helms siad. “They have given the opportunity to learn for the students. It is great for the kids and the community. No matter which direction you want to go as a student, they have provided you with that route.”

Helms has had offers to leave in the past, but said the community was what had kept him for so long as well as the friends he had gained during his time here.

Helms siad the relationships and bonds he formed with the coaches of years past is something he will always cherish. But, he said, more than the relationships and friendships he was able to form with other coaches, he woudl be taking their years worth advice to Andalusia and beyond.

“I have had several opportunities to leave over the last few years, and looking back I am really glad I stayed for the duration that I did,” Helms said. “We were able to accomplish so many things and be a part of those teams. I worked under so many good coaches and not just football coaches. I think anybody would feel fortunate to work with the coaches that I have been with. Coach Irons and coach Hollis were great, and having the opportunity to learn from them has been special.”

More than anything, Helms said he was thankful for all of the support he and his family had received through the years from the Troy community making it harder to leave.

And, even though he will soon be packign up his belongings and makign the trek to Andalusia, Helms said he wouldn’t rule out the idea of possibly returning home once again as long as the opportunity felt like the right one.

“I was proud to have the opportunity to be in Troy as long as I was and having the opportunity to work with these coaches and kids,” Helms said. “We will see where the road leads, it may lead back to Troy someday, if it doesn’t, I have been blessed to be a part of it.”