I don't know too much about Coach Collins but FWIW here's his coaching pedigree:
Coaching History Team Years
Assistant Coach/Defensive Coordinator/Linebackers Coach Mississippi State Bulldogs 2013-Present
Co-Defensive Coordinator/Linebackers Coach Mississippi State Bulldogs 2011-2012
Defensive Coordinator/Linebackers Coach Florida International Panthers 2010
Recruiting Coordinator/Linebackers Coach UCF Knights 2008-2009
Director of Player Personnel Alabama Crimson Tide 2007
Recruiting Coordinator Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets 2006
Defensive Coordinator/Defensive Backs Coach Western Carolina Catamounts 2002-2005
Graduate Assistant Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets 1999-2001
Defensive Coordinator/Linebackers Coach Albright College 1997-1998
Head Coach Franklin High School (N.C.) 1995
Student Assistant Western Carolina Catamounts 1993-1994
And some (cherry-picked) conference rankings from the Bulldogs defense last season:
http://assets.espn.go.com/sec/football/2014/SEC-Only.pdf
#2 in yards for loss
#3 in sacks
#1 in passes defended
#3 in interceptions
#6 in scoring defense
#5 in rushing defense (yds/game)
#14 in passing defense (yds/game)
#7 in pass defense efficiency
#1 in opponents 3rd down conversions
#1 in red zone defense
I was hoping we could keep our current DC (Coach Durkin) but if this is what Coach McElwain wanted then I trust his judgement, given he has a better track record as a D1 head coach than I ever will! :rolleye2:
Going to a wild ride next season with this new staff!