The 47-year-old head coach of West Kentucky, Tyson Helton, calls his wife ‘his world.’
Tyson Helton, born June 20, 1977, is an American college football coach and former quarterback.
A Gainesville, Florida native, Helton played high school football at Clements High School in Sugar Land, Texas, and college football as a backup quarterback at Houston (1996–1999).
He completed 44 of 109 passes for 454 yards, 1 touchdown, and 6 interceptions during his playing career.
Additionally, he graduated with a bachelor’s degree in business in 1999.
Helton began his coaching career at Hawaii under June Jones and worked his way up through various roles at NCAA Division I schools, including positions at Cincinnati, UAB, Memphis, and Tennessee.
Furthermore, he also served as an offensive coordinator at Western Kentucky (2014–2015) and USC (2016–2017).
Tyson Helton Shares Four Children With His Wife, April Helton
Tyson Helton, the head coach of Western Kentucky University’s football program, is married to April Helton.
The couple met while both were students at the University of Houston, where Tyson played football under his father.
Kim Helton, his father, was the head coach at the time.
Tyson often speaks highly of April, describing her as the ultimate supporter—a dedicated wife, mother, and partner in his coaching journey.
Their marriage has withstood the challenges of a career in college football, which requires frequent relocations.
The Heltons began their life together at the University of Hawaii, where Tyson started his coaching career and described their time there as akin to a “four-year honeymoon.”
Over the years, they moved across the country for various coaching roles, including stints in Memphis, Birmingham, Cincinnati, and eventually Western Kentucky.
The couple has four children: Shelby, Preston, and twin boys Cole and Clay.
Moreover, their family life has been deeply intertwined with Tyson’s professional commitments, with April playing a crucial role in maintaining stability and supporting their family through transitions.
Tyson has stated April is his “whole world,” expressing the importance of her role in his life both on and off the field.
The Heltons have a strong connection to Bowling Green, Kentucky.
Tyson and his wife have called it home since their arrival in 2014 during Tyson’s first coaching tenure at WKU.
Moreover, Tyson and his wife have expressed gratitude for the warm and welcoming community, which made them feel at home despite the short-term nature of coaching careers.
In Case You Didn’t Know
- Tyson Helton is part of a football family; his father, Kim Helton, is a former head coach, and his brother, Clay Helton, is the current head coach at Georgia Southern.
- Tyson Helton is currently a possible head coach candidate for the Purdue job.