Tennessee State hires Illinois St assistant Collins as coach
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) Tennessee State has hired Illinois State assistant Brian ''Penny'' Collins as its men's basketball coach.
The 34-year-old Collins was formally introduced at a Monday news conference. Collins replaces Dana Ford, who left for Missouri State after going 57-65 in four seasons.
This marks a return to Tennessee State for Collins, who worked on the Tigers' staff as a graduate assistant in 2007-08 and a director of operations in 2009-12.
''It means the world to me to be the Head Coach at TSU,'' Collins said in a university release. ''Once I decided to get into the business, my eyes were always set on this job. To have the opportunity to not only unite an institution, but also a city where I grew up in, is priceless. This is truly a dream come true that I will not take for granted.''
Collins has head coaching experience, working from 2012-15 at Columbia State, a community college in Columbia, Tennessee. Columbia State went a combined 54-11 in his final two seasons and reached the National Junior College Athletic Association tournament each of those years.
Collins, a former Belmont guard and team captain, was an assistant at East Tennessee State from 2015-17.
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