GREELEY — 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.”
Collins played for UNC from 1991-94 and was on the Bears’ coaching staff from 2000-03. He is the 16th football coach in school history and the first ex-UNC player to coach the Bears. His 497 yards on punt returns as a senior remain a school record.
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Collins recently signed a three-year contract extension at Alcorn State worth $140,000 per year. Scott Downing, his predecessor at UNC, made $95,000. Downing was fired Nov. 16 after five seasons with the Bears.
UNC initially offered the job to Mullen High School coach Dave Logan, who turned it down. Three other candidates — Colorado Mines coach Bob Stitt, Montana defensive coordinator Mike Breske and CSU-Pueblo coach John Wristen — withdrew from consideration.
Brian Munroe, a former UNC linebacker and a captain of the Bears’ 1996 Division II championship team, supports the hiring of Collins. Munroe and Collins were teammates. “I am excited for him,” Munroe said.
Joel Horn, a UNC wide receiver from 1989-93, also played with Collins.
“He is going to bleed blue and gold,” Horn said. “It is a lifelong fulfillment of his goals, and there is . . . excitement from the alumni. I am talking about people that maybe haven’t been as much a part of the program the last 10 or 15 years. (They) now have a direct reason to get back involved with the program.”
Alcorn State was 5-6 overall and 4-5 in the Southwestern Athletic Conference this year. Like the Braves, the Bears of the Big Sky Conference are a Football Championship Subdivision team (formerly Division I-AA).
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