Chris Collins is in his first season as a graduate assistant on Appalachian State’s coaching staff. He works primarily with the Mountaineers’ defense while pursuing a master’s degree in media and global education.
Collins comes to Appalachian State after two seasons (2013-14) as secondary coach and special teams coordinator at Catawba College in Salisbury, N.C. In his first season with the NCAA Division II Indians, he coached defensive back L.J. McCray, who went on to sign a free-agent contract with the San Francisco 49ers and appeared in 14 games as a rookie in 2014.
In addition to his on-field coaching duties, Collins also served as the program’s academic coordinator during his two-year tenure at Catawba.
Collins was a four-year letterwinner and two-year captain as a safety and outside linebacker at Western Carolina from 2006-09. He recorded 303 tackles during his collegiate career, including 109 as a senior in 2009, when he earned second-team all-Southern Conference recognition. He finished his career with 19 tackles for loss (including 12.5 as a senior), nine forced fumbles (including a SoCon-best six as a junior) and five pass breakups.
Following the conclusion of his playing career, he spent three seasons on WCU’s coaching staff, first as a student assistant in 2010 and as a defensive assistant in 2011-12, working primarily with the Catamounts’ linebackers and defensive backs.
A three-time member of the SoCon’s academic honor roll, Collins graduated from Western Carolina in 2010 with a B.S. in construction management (business administation minor).
A High Point, N.C. native, Collins graduated from T.W. Andrews H.S.
COLLINS AT A GLANCE
Coaching Experience
2010: Western Carolina (student assistant)
2011-12: Western Carolina (defensive assistant)
2013-14: Catawba (secondary/special teams coordinator)
2015: Appalachian State (graduate assistant - defense)
Playing Experience
2006-09: Western Carolina (S/OLB)
Alma Mater: Western Carolina, 2010
Hometown: High Point, N.C.
Birthdate: July 29, 1988 (27 years old)
Twitter: @CoachC_Collins
