Jake Helveston Tapped to Lead Oneonta Football Program

ONEONTA, Ala. — Oneonta High School has named Jake Helveston its 36th head football coach, tapping the defensive coordinator from Class 6A champion Clay-Chalkville to lead the program.

The San Jose, California native brings a championship pedigree to Oneonta after coordinating a top-ranked defense at Clay-Chalkville. He replaces the previous leadership as the Redskins look to build on their program’s storied 114 year history.

Helveston served as defensive coordinator at Clay-Chalkville during their run to the 2025 Class 6A State Championship. His defensive unit allowed just 10.1 points per game during the 2024 season. In 2022, he coordinated the top-ranked defense in Class 6A.

Prior to his tenure at Clay-Chalkville, Helveston served as an assistant coach at Thompson and Mortimer Jordan.

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Helveston takes over for former Redskins head coach Phil Phillips who was dismissed following the 2025 season.  Phillips led the Class 4A program to a combined 63-33 record including a trip to the Super 7 championships and a region title in 2021.  

The Redskins have not advanced to the postseason since 2023, marking the first time they have failed to reach the playoffs, in consecutive seasons, since their 2016 and 2017 campaigns.  

FEATURED IMAGE: Helveston during the 2025 Class 6A state championship game at Birmingham’s Protective Stadium.  (Jackson Hillis | PrepsNet)