Dennis Helms Men's Basketball McKeesport, PA

Dennis Helms returns for his 7th season back in the driver's seat of the Wrangler's Basketball program after a nine-year hiatus that took him to Meridian Community College in Mississippi and Butler Community College in Kansas.

In his sixteen seasons at Odessa College, Coach Helms has an overall record of 402-116. His overall career record now stands at 700-272 in his thirty-one years as a two year college Head Coach. Only seven active basketball coaches within the NJCAA have more wins than Dennis Helms. In the storied history of the NJCAA, only 19 coaches have reached the 700 career wins plateau.

While at Butler, Helms 2000-2001 team set a school record with 13 conference wins, on their way to winning the Jayhawk West Division for the 1st time since 1995.  Prior to his time at Butler, Helms was in Meridian, Mississippi where he guided the Eagles to a two-year record of 49-19, including a fifth place finish in the 1998-1999 NJCAA National Tournament.  Some of his accomplishments in his 31 years as a junior college head coach include five regional championships, five trips to the NJCAA National Tournament, Region Coach of the Year five times, Conference Coach of the Year nine times, Texas Junior College Coach of the Year in 1989 &1993, Mississippi Junior College Coach of the Year 1999 and Texas Coach vs. The National All-Stars in 1989.

Coach Helms has coached three 1st round and three 2nd round NBA draft picks during their junior college careers.  These players include:  Larry Johnson (UNLV), 1988 and 1989, back to back, NCAA Division I Player of the Year, and #1 overall lottery pick by the Charlotte Hornets.  He was an NBA All-Star and a member of the "Dream Team" that won the gold medal in the World Championships.  Alvin Robertson (Arkansas), lottery pick #7, by the San Antonio Spurs in 1984.  Alvin went on to win an Olympic gold medal, become and NBA All-Star, and in 1986 was named the NBA Defensive Player of the Year.  He was also one of four players in the history of the NBA to ever record a Quadruple-Double in a single game.  Tony Allen (Oklahoma State) was 2004 Big 12 Player of the Year, and was picked 25th of the first round in 2004 Boston Celtics, and was a member of the 2008 NBA Champion Boston Celtics.  Rodney Dent (Kentucky) was drafted as the 32nd pick in 1994 by the Orlando Magic, where he was a member of the 1995 NBA runner up team.  He still holds the record at Kentucky for single-game field goal accuracy (12-12).  Martin "Moochie" Norris (Auburn) was drafted 33rd overall by the Milwaukee Buck in 1996.  In 2001, he signed a six-year, $22.7 million contract to play for the Houston Rockets.  He was traded to the New York Knicks, but is now back in Houston.  Ronald “Flip” Murray was drafted by the Bucks 42nd overall in 2002 and is currently playing for the Detroit Pistons.  He scored 25 points and handed out 10 assists for the sophomores in the 2004 "Got Milk? Rookie Challenge.”  Kasib Powell (Texas Tech) was named NBDL MVP, and is now with the Miami Heat.  Coach Helms has also coached over 25 other players who have played professionally, as well as, more than 200 players who have moved on to play at Division 1 schools.

Helms is a native of McKeesport, Pennsylvania.  He went on to play college basketball at Iowa Western Community College, and finished his college career at Upper Iowa University.  He holds an Associate of Arts degree from Iowa Western, a Bachelor's of Science from Upper Iowa, and a Master's of Science from Drake University.

Coach Helms & his wife Marta live in Odessa & manage a child day care facility.

Tony Allen Boston Celtics Drafted #25, 1st Round	Moochie Norris Houston Rockets Drafted #33, 2nd Round