Collins Added To UCF Football Coaching Staff

Orlando, Fla. (www.ucfathletics.com) - Head coach George O'Leary announced the addition of Geoff Collins to the UCF football staff as linebackers coach on Monday. This will be the second time in his career that Collins has worked under O'Leary.

Collins was at Georgia Tech from 1999-2001 where he served as a graduate assistant for two seasons on O'Leary's staff in Atlanta before coaching the tight ends in his final season with the Yellow Jackets in 2001.

"Geoff is going to be a great addition to our staff, not only in terms of coaching, but also with his recruiting ability," O'Leary said. "It's great to have someone that I have worked with before and knows the type of system we are going to run. He is only going to enhance our program with his coaching experience and ability to recruit."

Collins spent the 2007 football season at the University of Alabama where he served as the director of player personnel. The Crimson Tide's 2008 signing class was ranked as the No. 1 recruiting class by numerous recruiting publications and websites. His responsibilities in Tuscaloosa included the managing of coaching clinics, camps and also organizing Alabama's on-campus recruiting efforts.

"Geoff did a fantastic job for us during his time at the University of Alabama," Alabama head coach Nick Saban said. "This is a great opportunity for him as well as a great hire for UCF. They are a getting a guy who knows college football, works hard each and every day, and does it with a tremendous amount of enthusiasm and positive energy."

Prior to his time with Saban in Tuscaloosa, Collins held a similar position during his second stint at Georgia Tech for the 2006 season, helping the Yellow Jackets put together one of the top signing classes in that school's history.

Collins returned to his alma mater of Western Carolina in 2002 following his first stint with Georgia Tech. He served as the Catamounts' defensive coordinator from 2002-05, coaching the defensive backs for three seasons before guiding the linebackers in his final season. In his final campaign there, the 2005 Western Carolina defense led the nation in pass defense and ranked 18th overall in total defense.

Following a four-year playing career at Western Carolina, Collins began his coaching career at the school as a student assistant. He racked up 194 tackles in his playing career as both a defensive back and linebacker. Collins also coached at Albright College from 1997-98 where he served as the defensive coordinator and linebackers coach after a season as an assistant at Fordham University (1996) and one season at Franklin (N.C.) High School.

Collins earned his bachelor's degree in Sport Management and Exercise Science from Western Carolina in 1993 and completed the school's Education curriculum in 1995. He is married to the former Jennifer Haynes.

Collins fills the vacancy on the staff following the departure of Joe Tumpkins to the University of Pittsburgh. The Knights will open spring practice on March 19 and hold its first spring game in Bright House Networks Stadium on April 12 at 3 p.m.