Chris Collins Named To Defensive Backs Coach

Thursday afternoon the Kentucky Football program has announced that they will name Chris Collins the new Defensive Backs Coach.

Collins spent four seasons as the Safeties Coach at Georgia State, before making his way to Lexington.

"My family and I are extremely blessed and excited to be a part of the Kentucky football family," Collins said." On top of Kentucky being an elite level program known for developing talent, this interview process has shown me a tremendous amount about Coach Stoops, Coach (Brad) White and the rest of the staff. When they say family first, they really mean it. During this interview process my wife and I were having our first child. Coach Stoops readjusted his schedule to accommodate my time with my wife and son. That showed me everything that I needed to know about the men I would be working with. "Coach Stoops' knowledge is second to none when it comes to defensive backs. I'm excited to learn and work with him, Coach White and the rest of the staff to continue to elevate this defense." Last season, despite the challenges of navigating a season during COVID-19, Collins helped lead the Panthers to a 6-4 overall record which included a 39-21 win over Western Kentucky in the LendingTree Bowl. Redshirt freshman safety Antavious Lane shined under Collins' tutelage, also tying the school record for interceptions in a season with four in just eight games played. Lane went on to earn second-team All-Sun Belt Conference honors and was a member of the Associated Press All-Bowl team after totaling five tackles and an interception, the first pick thrown by WKU QB Tyrell Pigrome all season after 278 attempts. He helped the GSU defense allow just 284 total yards in the game. Collins will replace the role of Steve Clinkscale, who left to go to Michigan just last month.