University of Pittsburgh Athletics
Archie Collins Named to Pitt Coaching Staff
1/31/2018 3:35:00 PM | Football
PITTSBURGH—Archie Collins, who coordinated one of the nation's top pass defenses last season at Central Michigan University, has been appointed to the Pitt assistant coaching staff by Coach Pat Narduzzi.
Hired as the Panthers' 10th assistant coach, Collins' positional responsibility will be announced at a later date.
A Detroit native, Collins spent the past five seasons at Central Michigan (2013-17). Following four impact years working with the CMU secondary, he was elevated to defensive passing game coordinator for his final season with the Chippewas.
Collins' influence helped Central Michigan in 2017 lead the Mid-American Conference (MAC) in interceptions (19), fewest passing yards allowed (185.5 yards/game) and pass efficiency defense (108.8 rating). On a national scale, the Chippewas ranked sixth nationally in pass efficiency defense, seventh in interceptions and 20th in passing defense. FootballScoop named Collins a finalist for the 2017 Defensive Back Coach of the Year award.
"Archie is a fantastic coach and highly driven recruiter," Narduzzi said. "We wanted our 10th assistant coach appointment to be an impactful hire and we achieved that by bringing Archie to Pitt. I first met him when he was a high school coach in Detroit and later I had him as a graduate assistant. Archie went on to do really exceptional work at Central Michigan and he'll be a great asset for our entire program. I'm thrilled to welcome him and his family to Pitt."
"I'm incredibly honored to join Pat Narduzzi and his staff at the University of Pittsburgh," Collins said. "It really is the best of both worlds: an outstanding academic institution with a rich football tradition to match. I'm very familiar with Coach Narduzzi, the way he teaches and his goals for our players. We will play with toughness, effort and knowledge to win championships. I'm thrilled to get right to work."
At Central Michigan, two of Collins' defensive backs, cornerback Amari Coleman and safety Josh Cox, were 2017 All-MAC honorees. Coleman was a first-team selection for the second consecutive season and finished his collegiate career with three interceptions returned for touchdowns. Cox intercepted six passes as a senior to finish seventh in the nation (0.5 INTs/game).
Collins' ball-hawking secondary helped Central Michigan to an 8-5 record and runner-up finish in the MAC West Division with a 6-2 mark this past season. CMU played in the 2017 Idaho Potato Bowl, its fourth consecutive bowl appearance.
During Collins' tenure, Central Michigan ranked among the nation's top 25 in passing defense three times: 2017, 2015 (No. 24, 193.0 avg.) and 2013 (No. 20, 203.9 avg.). In 2016, CMU finished eighth nationally with four defensive touchdowns—all pick-sixes by Collins' defensive backs.
Among the other standouts under Collins' watch was Kavon Frazier, an All-MAC safety in 2015 who now plays for the Dallas Cowboys.
Collins was also highly productive on the recruiting trail at CMU. In 2015, he was named the MAC's Recruiter of the Year by Scout.com.
Prior to Central Michigan, Collins was a defensive graduate assistant from 2010-12 at Michigan State, his alma mater. It was during this coaching assistantship that he first met Pat Narduzzi, who was the Spartans' defensive coordinator at the time.
In addition to contributing to one of college football's elite defensive units, Collins worked daily with future NFL defensive backs Darqueze Dennard, Kurtis Drummond and Trae Waynes. Collins also helped with the special teams during his time in East Lansing.
Collins' additional experience includes seven years coaching high school football in the Detroit Public School League. He worked at three PSL schools (Cass Tech, Mackenzie and Southeastern), producing nine all-state performers and 28 all-city honorees.
A safety at Michigan State, Collins finished his career as a two-year letterman (1996-97) for the Spartans.
He graduated from Michigan State in 1998 with a bachelor's degree in finance. Collins went on to earn a master's degree in kinesiology and coaching from MSU in 2011. He and his wife, Brandi, have three children: son Archie IV and daughters Amber and BellaRose.
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