- Program
- Western Kentucky
- Level
- FBS
- In Role Since
- 2018
- Conference
- CUSA
- Education
- Houston (B.A. Business 1999)
Profile
Tyson Helton was named Western Kentucky’s 21st head coach on Nov. 27, 2018 and through his first seven seasons compiled a 57-36 record while reaching seven bowl games and two Conference USA Championship Games. His Hilltoppers won five bowl games under his tenure including the 2019 SERVPRO First Responder Bowl, the 2021 Boca Raton Bowl, the 2022 New Orleans Bowl, the 2023 Famous Toastery Bowl and the 2025 New Orleans Bowl. Helton coached WKU offenses that ranked among the nation’s best in 2014-15, including a 2015 offense that was first nationally in passing efficiency and third in scoring.
Coaching Approach
Passer-development and high-volume offense: Helton’s WKU offenses produced a 4,830-yard and 49-TD season from Brandon Doughty in 2014 and a 5,055-yard, 48-TD season in 2015 while the program ranked among the national leaders in passing, scoring and total offense in that span; he also coached NFL quarterbacks such as Sam Darnold and mentored Bailey Zappe to NCAA single-season passing records in 2021.
Career Highlights
- Named WKU head coach on Nov. 27, 2018
- Compiled a 57-36 record (including 40-15 in CUSA play) through his first seven seasons and led WKU to seven bowl appearances and two CUSA Championship Games (source text)
- Voted 2019 Conference USA Coach of the Year after leading WKU to a 9-4 record and a six-win improvement from 2018 to 2019 (source text)
Sources
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