Alcorn's Defensive Coordinator lands at Northern Colorado

Zach Shay was one of the over 30 applicants who recently applied for the Galesburg High School (Illinois) football coaching job. He didn’t even get an interview. Shay, who has served on the defensive staff at Alcorn State University for the past three years, will assume a similar position with the University of North Colorado starting today.

Alcorn State’s head coach Earnest Collins Jr. was hired as the new head coach at UNC last week and Shay will accompany him to the Division IAA school located in Greeley, Colo., about 45 miles north of Denver.

“It’s just a better situation, better facilities and they play in the IAA playoffs which is a better opportunity if they win,” said Shay. “I’m very excited. It’s a great opportunity.”

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Earnest Collins Jr. ready to make Northern Colorado football coaching job his own

UNC Bears Coach Earnest Collins Jr.

The University of Northern Colorado football program has enlisted a strong choice to serve as its next leader.

 Earnest Collins Jr. has his job. He has sought this position, worked for it, prepared for it, learned for it and now has ownership of it. It is not a stepping stone. It is not a learning experience. It's what he wants, and that is a good thing for the Bears.

Collins first attempt to claim his job occurred in 2005 when he interviewed to replace Kay Dalton. Not hired, he listened closely to the critiques relayed to him.

His true calling: Earnest Collins achieves goal to become UNC coach

Earnest Collins, Jr., didn't always know where life was going to take him, but he certainly knew that it would someday lead him back to the University of Northern Colorado.

That dream happened for Collins, the former Alcorn State head coach, on Thursday when he was officially introduced as the new head football coach at UNC before a full house in the Champions Room of the Butler-Hancock Sports Pavilion.

Speaking from his heart and without any script, Collins, who is the Bears 16th head coach, displayed his passion for the UNC football program, his family and his faith as he was introduced publicly for the first time before a room filled with media, UNC personnel and supporters of the program.

Collins aims to restore passion for program

GREELEY, CO - New University of Northern Colorado head football coach Earnest Collins Jr. made one thing clear Thursday at his introductory news conference: He is going to make sure that Colorado and the school's alumni are excited about UNC football again.

Collins promised he would restore the winning tradition the school had during his playing days and his time as an assistant coach when it was a Division II program. "My No. 1 focus right now is to recapture the state of Colorado," Collins said. "That's the No. 1 goal for me, because when I was here, that's what it was. I don't know what it's like to lose. We never lost here."

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Link: UNC Bears Football

Alcorn State Collins accepts head football coaching job at Northern Colorado

Collins becomes first minority head coach at NCU

LORMAN, MS — For the third time in four seasons, Alcorn State University will have a new head football coach patrolling the sidelines in 2011.

The University of Northern Colorado announced Tuesday that Earnest Collins has accepted the head coaching position for the Bears. Collins coached the Braves in 2009 and 2010, amassing an 8-12 overall record and a 7-9 record in the SWAC.

Collins served as associate head coach at Alcorn in 2008 under then-head coach Earnest Jones. After Jones was relieved of his duties following the 2008 season, Collins was elevated to head coach. He finished 3-6 overall and 3-4 in the SWAC in 2009, and was 5-6 overall and 4-5 in the SWAC this past season.

Northern Colorado hires Earnest Collins as its football coach

GREELEY, CO — Northern Colorado found its new football coach at Alcorn State and in the UNC record book. Earnest Collins Jr., a former UNC defensive back, punt returner and assistant coach who still has a school record, is returning to his alma mater to be the Bears' head coach. Collins was Alcorn State's coach the last two seasons.

"This is a chance for me to come home to the place that made me who I am," Collins said in a statement. "My mom and UNC made me the man I am today, so I am thankful for the opportunity to come home. I believe every coach's dream is to come back and coach at his alma mater and win championships at his alma mater. I can't wait to get started and see what we can accomplish. I know we can do some great things at UNC."

Former UNC football standout to take over as head coach

GREELEY, CO — A former Northern Colorado assistant coach has been named as the school's new coach. Athletics director Jay Hinrichs said Tuesday that Ernest Collins Jr. will be the Bears' 16th football coach. Collins, on the team from 1991 to 1994, is the school's single-season school record holder for punt return yards — 497 his senior season. He amassed a total of 978 punt return yards.

Collins told the Greeley Tribune that a press conference on his new job is planned for Thursday. Collins will succeed Scott Downing, fired in November after five seasons and a 9-47 overall record.

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