Three coaches formerly of ASU join Speir's staff at WCU
Chris Collins joined the Western Carolina coaching staff as a Defensive Assistant prior to the spring drills in 2011 after spending the previous year as a student assistant during the 2010 season. He has worked primarily with the linebackers, a position he played for the Catamounts during his collegiate career, and under new head coach Mark Speir will assist with the defensive secondary.
Collins, a four-year letterwinner, closed his careeer by being named All-Southern Conference by the voting members of the SoCon Sports Media Association (SCSMA) as a senior after tallying a career-high 109 tackles including 63 solo stops. He added 12.5 tackles for loss playing the "hybrid" linebacker position in WCU's 4-2-5 scheme.
Through 44 career games, the High Point, N.C., native finished with 303 career hits including 166 solo tackles and 19 tackles for a combined 93 yards in losses. A ball-hawk, Collins finished with nine forced fumbles with a SoCon-leading six coming during his junior season. He was also credited with five pass break-ups.
Collins played in 10-or-more games in each of his four seasons in Cullowhee.
Off the field, Collins was named to the 2007 Fall Academic All-Southern Conference team.
