Coach Jim Helms thinks Rivera athletics is turning around

Jim Helms said the Rivera football team — and Raiders athletics in general — looked as if it was starting to turn things around after missing the postseason in the final game of the regular season.

"We took it to the last game of the season and thought we were really turning the corner," Helms said about the football team. "The team was at the point where I was starting to get really excited about next season. I think all our programs are at the point where each of them is competing for a district title. Girls cross country won it, volleyball has always been solid, basketball and every one of our sports. "

Helms deferred questions on his status as the school’s football coach to principal Tim Synder, who did not return several phone calls to his residence from RGVSports.com. A source close to the Brownsville school district speaking on condition of anonymity said Thursday that Helms was relieved of his head coaching duties this week.

BISD public information officer Drue Brown released a statement regarding the status of all its athletic coordinators.

"The employment status of a high school athletic coordinator is the principal’s decision," the statement read. "All five BISD high school principals are currently reviewing their athletic programs. The district is not ready to make an announcement at this time about the employment status of any of the high school
athletic coordinators."

One of the athletic coordinator positions that could see change is Porter.

As of Friday, Roberto Valdez said he was still football coach and athletic coordinator of Porter but that he had a meeting with principal Dora Sauceda in the morning where the message was relayed to Valdez that his contract would "probably not be renewed."

Sauceda did not return several messages left on her BISD cell phone and multiple calls to the school.

Valdez has an 8-23 record as the Cowboys’ head coach and is only the second coach to lead Porter to the playoffs. His squad went 6-5 in 2008 for the Cowboys’ second postseason berth in school history.

"Since I arrived at Porter, I think myself and the rest of the coaches here have done an excellent job," Valdez said. "It’s not just about football, it’s about the whole program, and working with the Porter Nation is really special and I’m going to fulfill my contract duties until it’s over."

The other coach to lead Porter to the playoffs was Helms, who accomplished the feat in 2003 with Billy Garza as his quarterback.

BISD assistant superintendent Carlos Guerra said decision to fire a coach is "ultimately the principal’s decision."

Guerra added that coaches were still the athletic coordinators of their respective schools and would be at work Monday.

Louie Vera covers District 32-5A football for Valley Freedom Newspapers. You can reach him at (956) 982-6663 or via e-mail at lvera@brownsvilleherald.com.