Jacksonville State University Athletics

Michael Helms was announced as the head coach of Jacksonville State's women's tennis program on July 10, 2023. In his first year he led the Gamecocks to a 12-8 record which included a 7-match win streak before falling to Liberty in the semi-finals of the Conference USA tourney.  

In his second year at Jax State, Helms was named the Director of Tennis and named head coach for both the men's and women's teams. He lead both squads to winning seasons. The men's tennis team finished 2025 with a 12-7 record overall and a perfect 7-0 mark on their home courts. The women's tennis team finished 10-8 overall and also had an impressive record at the Jax State Tennis Courts as they finished 5-2 at home. 

Helms coached four men's and two women's tennis players who earned recognition from the CUSA at the conclusion of the 2025 spring campaign. Senior Zuzana Pavelekova was named to the 2025 All-CUSA Singles Second Team and freshman Lea Erenda was named to the 2025 All-CUSA Freshman Team. Meanwhile on the men's side, Marko Milosavljevic was named to the 2025 All-CUSA Singles First Team, David Krasner was chosen for All-CUSA Singles Second Team, and the tandem of Zach Murphy and Lucius Soller were picked for the All-CUSA Doubles Second Team.

Krasner also brought home Conference USA's Newcomer of the Year award after an impressive first year with the Gamecocks. 

Helms, a Jax State graduate and former student-athlete, came to Jacksonville after one season as an assistant with the UAB men's tennis team. 

Helms joined the UAB men’s tennis program in the fall of 2022 and was promoted to assistant coach in the spring of 2023. That spring, the Blazers went 21-7, one win shy of the school record. They also ended the 2023 season ranked No. 70 in the nation, the best team ranking for the university in over 20 years.
 
Prior to UAB, Michael spent more than a decade teaching and coaching a variety of players from beginners to professionals as a USPTA Certified Tennis Professional, developing them to reach their full potential in the sport.