Alcorn State Goes Offensive With 23 New Signees

The Alcorn State University football program has announced the signing of 23 new Braves for the 2010 recruiting class. Coach Earnest Collins Jr., and his staff focused on the offensive side of the ball by signing seven offensive linemen, three quarterbacks and three wide receivers. The offensive linemen average 6-3/305 in size. The gem of the group is all-state selectee, Derrick Henderson, (6-4/310) Brookhaven High School (Mississippi).

On paper, quarterback Jeremy Collins appears to be a potential star with over 4,000 career passing yards and 20 touchdowns. In his junior year at Greenwood High School (M.S.), the All-Region quarterback had only six interceptions the entire season.

On the defensive side of the ball, the Braves signed Ricky Joseph from Miami Northwestern H.S. (Florida), who comes from a great program with a winning tradition. ESPN has this to say about the 6-2/275 defensive tackle: "Joseph comes from a program that produces many good prospects so you know he is used to competing against good competition. He has solid size for the defensive tackle position and displays the frame to be able to add more good bulk."

Joining Joseph from South Florida is Fort Lauderdale Stranahan H.S. safety/DB Derwin Brown, a 6-1/180 athlete that can play running back or wide receiver. Brown played on both sides of the ball for the 9-3 Stranahan Dragons.

At this time of the year, every coach will tell you that they have fulfilled their needs with the incoming recruiting class. And Coach Earnest Collins, Jr. is no difference in that regard. The "undefeated" and new Alcorn University Braves are:

Derrick Henderson- OL 6’4” 310 Brookhaven High School (MS)
Brandon Bridge- QB 6’5” 195 St. Marcellinus Secondary School (ONT)
Jacody Rose- OL 6’3” 309 O.P. Walker High School (LA)
Rodney Whitmore- WR 6’1” 175 Mansfield High School (TX)
LaRon Trigg- LS 6’2” 205 Hinds Community College (MS)
Michael Young- QB 6’2” 207 McLaurin High School (MS)
Chris Perkins- WR 6’6” 205 Hazlehurst High School (MS)
Ricky Joseph- DL 6’2” 275 Miami Northwestern High School (FL)
Jamison Knox- DB 5’9” 185 East High School (TN)
Maurice Redick- OL 6’3” 298 East High School (TN)
Fred Avery- DL 6’1” 278 Mobile Christian School (AL)
Jeremy Collins- QB 6’2” 210 Greenwood High School (MS)
Joshua Dupre- OL 6’4” 285 Captain Shreveport High School (LA)
Thomas Lacy- OL 6’2” 305 Robert Lee High School (TX)
Orlando Stringer- LB 6’0” 195 Carver High School (AL)
Derwin Brown- DB 6’1” 180 Stranahan High School (FL)
Terrence Barnes- DT 6’0” 295 Mize Attendance Center (MS)
Josh Dotson- ATH 5’10”175 Port Gibson High School (MS)
Stephen Fields- DB 5’11”175 Cedar Hill High School (TX)
Brian Malone- OL 6’5” 310 Hinds Community College (MS)
Avis Shelton- OL 6’3” 320 E. Mississippi Community College (MS)
Kenny Roby- LB 6’1” 220 E. Mississippi Community College (MS)
Ramon Brown- DB 6’2” 195 College of Dupage (IL)

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Alcorn State University head football coach Earnest Collins, Jr. finished his first season with a 3-6, 3-4 SWAC record.

Alcorn fills needs with signing class

LORMAN, MS — Having a full year to get to know players makes a huge difference in recruiting, especially compared to only a few months. Now that Alcorn State head football coach Earnest Collins has been on the job for about a year, his hard work convincing athletes to sign with the Braves is much more evident. This past Wednesday, the Braves landed signatures from 23 high school and junior college athletes who will be joining the Braves in the fall.

“We had some needs we needed to fill, and the biggest one was on the offensive line,” Collins said. “We signed six total on Wednesday, so that was a big need we got filled.” In addition, Collins said he needed more athletes in the secondary, and competition at quarterback.

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Alcorn State Made the Correct Decision

Collins given three-year extension

LORMAN, MS — Alcorn State has extended the contract of head football coach Earnest Collins by three years. The Braves (3-6, 3-4) sat alone in first place in the Eastern Division midway through the season after being picked to finish last. Alcorn couldn’t hold on, but a win against Jackson State gave the program three wins for the first time since 2006 when the team finished 6-5. Collins coached the Braves this season on a one-year deal, following the firing of former coach Johnny Thomas and weeks of turmoil within the program.

“We are delighted that Coach Collins will continue to lead the Alcorn State University Braves football program,” said Mrs. Brenda T. Square, interim director of athletics. “He and the entire football staff share the University’s vision for excellence and they care about the welfare of our student-athletes both on the field and in the classroom.” In 2008, Collins served as the defensive coordinator/associate head coach for the Braves. Prior to joining the Braves’ staff, Collins spent a year coaching secondary for the University of Central Florida, where the Knights ranked third in the C-USA defensive statistics.

Alcorn made the correct decision

I’m sure most Alcorn State fans remember what was going on with the football program about this time last year. To put it mildly, it was chaos. Seven assistant coaches were fired without the knowledge of the head coach. Then, after the head coach threatened to sue the school, the assistants were reinstated, and then the head coach, Ernest Jones, was fired himself. Through all of the turmoil, one man stood out and was left with picking up the pieces and trying to rebuild what had been torn down. That man was Earnest Collins. Collins, was the defensive coordinator under Jones and was named interim head coach after Jones was fired.

Collins might have only been just that, an interim, if some senior football players hadn’t met with Alcorn State President George Ross and convinced him to make Collins the head coach on a permanent basis. So Collins was given the job full-time, but only received a one-year contract, which put him in a tough situation from the outset. Most coaches don’t operate on one-year contracts, and schools usually extend a coach’s contract before it comes down to the last year because they don’t want the coach to be seen as a lame duck.

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Alcorn State Names Interim Head Coach

By Alcorn State Media Relations

President George E. Ross has announced that Earnest Collins, Jr. is the Interim Head Football Coach. Coach Collins assumed his duties on January 29, 2009.

"We are pleased to have Coach Collins serve in this capacity. He is an exceptional leader, he’s student-athlete centered, and possess the knowledge base to lead our football program in a positive direction. The respect and support this young man has garnered from the ASU community is tremendous," says President Ross.

As Interim Head Football Coach, Collins will operate with all the responsibilities and authority of the head coach. "I want to thank Dr. Ross for the opportunity to become the Interim Head Football Coach. I believed when I came here that we were going to take this program to new heights, and that is still our plan."

Coach Collins brings over 13 years of coaching and teaching experience in athletics. He entered his first season as Defensive Coordinator/Associate Head Coach at Alcorn State University last year. Prior to joining the Braves’ staff, Coach Collins spent a year coaching the Secondary for the University of Central Florida, where the Knights ranked 3rd in the C-USA defensive statistics.

Coach Collins began his collegiate coaching career at Northwest Missouri State University as a Secondary/Assistant Special Teams Coach from 1996-1999. During those three seasons with the Bearcats, they won two NCAA Division II National Champions 1998, 1999. After leaving Northwest Missouri, he returned to his alma mater, the University of Northern Colorado as the Coordinator-Secondary/Special Teams, Strength and Conditioning during 1999-2003. While there, he helped to shape a defense that was ranked nationally from 2000-2003.

When Coach Collins departed from the Bears, he became a part of the Jayhawks coaching staff. From 2003-06, he served in the capacity of the Special Teams and Cornerbacks Coach. During his tenure there, he organized the "Character First" and "Mentors" programs. Also, the Jayhawks’ defense was ranked 3rd in the Big12 and 20th in the nation.

Coach Collins began his collegiate playing career at the University of Northern Colorado 1991-94, as a defensive back and punt returner. He earned All-North Central Conference honors following his senior year. He currently holds the Northern Colorado records for career (967) and season (497) punt return yards.

Coach Collins received his B.A. in Kinesiology (Physical Education) from University of Northern Colorado. In 2000, he received his M.S. in Athletic Administration from Northwest Missouri State University.

He is a member of the NCAA Minority Opportunities and Interest Committee. Collins’ professional memberships include the Black Coaches Association and the American Football Coaches Association.

He is married to Tabatha, and they have two daughters, Tayler and Marci.