Keller Central’s Helsley moves up in district; defensive coordinator named head coach
Bart Helsley, who began the football program at Keller Central, was named assistant athletic director at Keller ISD, the district announced on Monday.
Helsley replaces Donnie Bartlett, who accepted a position in Birdville ISD.
Helsley was head coach at Central for the past 17 years, since the school opened. Overall, he has 29 years of teaching and coaching experience.
“The experience coach Helsley has gained leading a 6A football program, overseeing a feeder pattern middle school athletic program and being responsible for eight CHS UIL athletic programs will be invaluable to his new, district-level position,” said Keller ISD Athletics Director Eric Persyn in a press release.
Helsley took the Chargers to the playoffs seven times, all since 2011.
Central went 7-4 and 4-3 in District 5-6A last season before a first-round exit to Flower Mound Marcus. The Chargers began the season 3-0 and 6-1.
“It has been a tremendous honor to be the head coach at Central since it opened. A lot of great memories,” Helsley said. “No doubt I will miss the daily camaraderie with the players and coaches, and the intensity of being in the action on the sidelines during a Friday night game.”
The Chargers earned their first winning season at 8-3 in 2011. Since that span, they’ve posted a 50-47 overall record and 34-27 in district play. Overall, Helsley has won 70 games at Central since 2004.
“I am really appreciative of the opportunity that our family had at Central High School.” Helsley said.
Meanwhile, Keller ISD also named Central defensive coordinator Mike Sports the next Chargers’ head coach on Monday. Sports has been Central’s DC since 2010.
“Coach Sports possesses the leadership skills necessary to drive the future success of the Central Chargers football program,” Persyn said. “His character, out-of-the-box thinking, focus on student success on the field and in the classroom and his ability to inspire student-athletes to play at a level beyond what they thought they could makes him a great role model for all Chargers students and the entire CHS community.”
This story was originally published May 18, 2020 at 3:44 PM.
