BOSTON – Simmons University Director of Athletics & Recreation Erica Schuling has selected Patrick Helmas as the next Head Volleyball Coach, announced on Friday afternoon. Helmas will begin his new role on July 1, 2022.
"I am thrilled to welcome Coach Helmas to Simmons," begins Schuling. "There is no doubt that our volleyball program will thrive under his leadership and attract an incredible prospect pool. His ability to analyze the game paired with his commitment to player development will surely create a culture of leadership and competitiveness. I look forward to watching him lead the Sharks this fall and for many years to come."
A well-respected coach within the volleyball community, Helmas brings a lot of knowledge and experience to Simmons following an eight-year stint as an assistant coach at Babson College. In nearly a decade at Babson, he helped turn the Beavers into a powerhouse and nationally ranked program. Helping to lead Babson to a 177-60 overall record over eight years, Helmas was present for four NEWMAC Championships (2014, 2015, 2018, 2019), including three regular season titles (2014, 2019, 2021). Additionally, he developed five AVCA All-Americans, nine All-New England selections and 18 All-NEWMAC recipients.
"I am looking forward to getting my head coaching start at Simmons University," says Helmas. "Having been in the industry for 10 years, I've seen how good programs are developed and I have a lot of familiarity with the landscape of New England D3 volleyball. I've seen the recent success that Simmons has had and I am excited about the opportunity to continue that success, and push the program even further."
In 2018, Helmas helped guide the Beavers to program history. With a 26-9 overall record, Babson reached the NCAA Elite Eight for the first time, knocking of nationally-ranked Bowdoin College in three sets to claim the Babson Park Regional Title. A week later, the Beavers earned their first national ranking in program history, finishing 20th in the final AVCA Division III Poll.
The Beavers success continued the following the year, claiming their second regular season title and fourth NEWMAC Championships with a program-best 33-2 record. This past fall season, 2021, Babson won its third regular season crown with a 23-8 mark and claimed as high as 20th in the national rankings.
Prior to joining the Babson coaching staff, Helmas spent two years as an assistant coach at Lesley University, helping the Lynx to back-to-back fifth place finishes in the New England Collegiate Conference (NECC). In addition, he has extensive familiarity at the high school level. Helmas coached the junior varsity programs at Concord-Carlisle High School and Needham High School. During his time at Needham High School, he played a pivotal role in helping the Rockets improve their techniques and become one of the strongest high school programs in the state.
Aside from his intercollegiate and interscholastic coaching, Helmas has a vast amount of experience at the club level. He founded and co-owns PHD Volleyball, while also serving as the Associate Boys Club Director with SMASH Volleyball.
A native of Norwood, Massachusetts, Helmas graduated from Bryant University with a Bachelor of Science in management. While at Bryant, he was a four-year member of the Bulldogs club volleyball program.