Born February 27, 1957, in Groves, Texas, Jim Bob was the only child of Jim (Steed) and Robert Edward Helduser. He attended First Christian Church-Disciples of Christ in Port Arthur and was an Eagle Scout by age 13. An exceptional junior golfer, Jim
Bob was also a three-sport athlete at Port-Neches Groves High School where he played on the PNG Indians state semi-finalist football team. He graduated with highest honors in 1975.
He attended Texas Lutheran University in Seguin, where he played on the squad that captured the 1975 NAIA championship. Jim Bob graduated summa cum laude in May 1979 with a degree in biology. He would later earn a master’s degree in educational administration from Texas State University.
Jim Bob began his football coaching career at Rice University, where he coached from 1979 to 1984. He spent the next 11 seasons at Texas State University in San Marcos, Texas, where he coached almost every position before assuming head coaching responsibilities from 1992 to 1996. Other collegiate coaching jobs included Texas Christian University (1998 to 2000), the University of Alabama (2001 to 2002), and Texas A&M University (2003 to 2007). His offensive lines were continually ranked in the top 10 in the nation.
High school coaching jobs included Alief-Elsik High School, Lake Travis High School and Bryan High School, where he retired after the 2009 Viking football season.
A man of great integrity, Jim Bob was best known for his exceptional character and his passion for coaching football. It is not uncommon to hear people describe Jim Bob as “the finest man I’ve ever known.” He was honest and fair, humble but self-confident, had an incredible work ethic, and was dedicated to mentoring young athletes.”
Helduser died on February 26, 2010, at his home in College Station, Texas, after a battle with colon cancer. He is survived by his wife, Janet Wiegman Helduser of San Antonio, Texas, son, Brant Helduser, and daughters, Kylene and Jenna Helduser.
