Lynn Helyer to Take Over Head Coaching Job at TDHS

Here is an older picture of Coach Lynn Helyer in The Dalles in past years.

With coach Andy Codding stepping down from the head coaching position at The Dalles High school in recent weeks, TDHS had a big hole to fill at the head coach position.

Andy Codding has been the head coach for the past two years after taking over the summer before the 2019 season when Steve Sugg resigned.

Sugg’s last season, the team had a 2-6 record and just missed the play-in.

With around 15 or more upcoming seniors, Codding had a lot of talent to work with in 2019. He led that team to a 7-5 season and a berth to the 4A State Semifinals before falling to the state champion La Grande. He was a top 3 candidate for coach of the year in 4A.

Last year was a difficult and hectic one with COVID shutting everything down and there being new rules. With very few players returning and only being able to produce one full football team, it was a hard challenge to overcome, but Codding and his coaching staff did a phenomenal job going 2-3 on the shortened season. Not the outcome they wanted but still an overall great job.

His departure is a big loss but one new Athletic Director Billy Brost was ready to handle. After getting a lot of applicants and doing many interviews he has chosen a new head coach. Brost was just hired within the last several weeks.

The new head coach for The Dalles High School is Lynn Helyer. Coach Helyer used to be the head coach for the high school several years back. He coached when they were still the Eagle Indians. He coached for 2 years in 2011 and 2012 and only amassed two wins during those two seasons. He took over for Andy Codding at that time also. Lynn has served under eight head coaches, including several in The Dalles, in multiple coaching capacities. He has been a Defensive Coordinator, O-line, D-line, and linebackers coach.

For now, Helyer is the interim head coach until they find a full-time coach after the upcoming season. Helyer went on to say “I’m excited to come down and get to work. For now, this is only an interim coaching job but if I feel like I want to keep going and stay then I’ll toss my name in the hat and try and get hired again. Time will tell.”