San Diego Mesa College: Men's Basketball

Head Coach Edward M. Helscher

619-388-2274

Ed Helscher is an Assistant Professor, in the School of Physical Education , Health and Athletics. Coach Helscher is a native San Diegan and attended University of San Diego High School and the University of San Diego . Coach Helscher received a B. A. degree in Social Science from USD, where he played basketball from 1973-1976 and M. S. S. (Master of Sports Science) degree with an emphasis in basketball theory from the United States Sports Academy in Mobile, Alabama. His coaching career started as an assistant coach at the University of San Diego . After one year at USD, he moved to Chicago and coached at St. Phillip Neri and St. Francis de Sales. Coach Helscher and family returned to San Diego in 1979 and he spent times coaching at Francis Parker School , Madison High School , University of California at San Diego , Grossmont Community College as well as Mesa Community College .

Coach Helscher's high school record is 127 wins and 49 losses with CIF section titles in 1979 & 1983. In addition to coaching basketball, coach Helscher has been an assistant coach in football, baseball, and track & field. He also been a head coach in high school softball, cross-country, and sailing. His softball and cross-country teams have both won league titles.

During his early coaching career he was active as a guest speaker and clinician at several different basketball camps including camps at USD, San Diego State , and Cal Lutheran College. He also has owned his own camp, "Pride and Poise Camps," here in San Diego and on Catalina Island .

Coach Helscher has been active in several community organizations including the Red Cross and the San Diego Clean Beach Campaign.

Coach Helscher enjoys the beach, sailing, golf and bicycling during his free time. He is married to Elizabeth Hawrylo and has two daughters Kate and Alexis. Coach Helscher resides in the Clairemont area of San Diego

Assistant Coach & Recruiting Coordinator Jim Thompson

A native San Diegan, Jim Thompson has been a part of the Mesa family since 1993. Coach "T" currently serves as the Olympian's recruiting coordinator.

Prior to coming to Mesa, Thompson was the Head Boy's Basketball Coach at Madison High School in San Diego from 1985-1991. His 1988 squad ranked #2 in the state and won the San Diego CIF Division II Championship after compiling a 28-3 record. In '89 he was named Coach-of-the-Year by the Los Angeles Times.

Coach Thompson has also been a full-time teacher at Madison since 1983, teaching in the Social Studies, Health and Math departments.

During his undergraduate years at San Diego State University , he directed The San Diego Basketball Alliance while assisting with the Junior Varsity and Varsity teams at his alma mater, Madison High.

Coach T. received his Bachelor's Degree and Master's Degree from San Diego State University in 1978 and 1984, respectively.

As a long time mentor and diligent recruiter, Coach T knows it takes more than talent and athleticism to ensure success. So, In an effort to encourage student athletes to develop the complete game, he founded 3PointPlay , which targets first rate performance in Academics, Attitude, and Athletics

Thompson currently resides in San Diego .

Assistant Coach Todd Wright

Todd Wright has been with the Olympians since the 2003-2004 campaign.

"Coach Wright truly loves to teach and coach, which is evident in everything that he does," said Olympian Head Coach, Ed Helscher. "Todd has made a great deal of sacrifices to be here for our student-athletes. He has a full-time job that he goes to during the day. He then comes to practice, and then after practice, he goes back to work to finish his work day. We are very lucky that Todd has made us a priority because aside from being a great teacher and coach, he is an even better human being, which in turn makes all of us better people by simply knowing him,' concluded coach Helscher.

Wright, originally from Trumbull , Connecticut , played football, basketball and baseball at Trumbull High School . Following his graduation from Trumbull , Wright went on to play basketball and baseball for Army from 1981-1983. Wright graduated with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Engineering from the United States Military Academy at West Point , New York , in May of 1985.

He later went on to complete his Masters of Business Administration Degree from Webster University at Santa Teresa , New Mexico , in October of 1990. Coach Wright is currently pursuing a second Master's Degree from Azusa Pacific University in Physical Education with hopes of graduating in early 2007.

Coach Wright's coaching career began as the Boys Assistant Basketball Coach at La Jolla Country Day High School in 1994. Recently, he has volunteered as a Coach at the Steve Fisher San Diego State University Boys Basketball Camp and the Brad Holland University of San Diego Boys Basketball Camp. Coach Wright also conducts private one-on-one coaching sessions with other student-athletes from San Diego .

Assistant Coach - Ralph Brice Jr.

The Olympians welcome Assistant Coach Ralph Brice Jr. to the staff. Prior to his arrival at Mesa, Brice had been coaching scholastically here in San Diego since 1990. During that 16-year span, Brice assisted at Madison High School, San Diego High, Crawford, where he was the Head Junior Varsity Coach, and most recently at Hoover from 2003-2006.

During his time at Hoover, the Cardinals went an amazing 71-26, winning 73 percent of their games.

He is also a member of the San Diego County Basketball Officials Association.

The Brooklyn, New York, native played for the Olympians for one year during the 1979-80 campaign.

Brice also spent eight years serving in the United States Air Force.

Coach Brice is excited about his first collegiate position. "I just love college basketball and enjoy being around the game," said Brice. Coach Helscher is also excited about Brice's arrival to his staff.

"Ralph has some great ties to the local community and is a respected figure in San Diego. He brings nearly 20 years of playing and coaching experience to our staff and you can never have enough experience on your staff," concluded Coach Helscher.

Coach Brice will be working with the guards along with Coach Hootner.

Brice is currently completing his Bachelor's Degree in Sports Management from the United States Sports Academy located in Mobile, Alabama.

He currently works for the San Diego Unified School Police Department.

David Jobe

David Jobe is a native of Hercules, California. He graduated from Salesian High School (Richmond, Ca) in 2001 where he was captain of his varsity team. He then went on to play basketball at Diablo Valley College from 2001-2003. In two years there, the Vikings went 61-12, including a record of 34-3 during his sophomore year resulting in a Bay Valley West League Championship and a trip to the Final Eight.

In 2003 he received a basketball scholarship to attend the University of California, Riverside where he majored in History. While coaching at Mesa he also is employed by the San Diego City School District and is working toward earning his teaching credential.