Sept. 8, 2009
STATE COLLEGE, Pa. - Former Stevens Tech head coach Byron Collins has joined the Penn State men's lacrosse coaching staff as an assistant coach. Nittany Lion head coach Glenn Thiel has named Collins as his offensive assistant coach, joining current defensive assistant Travis Johnson to fill out the coaching staff.
"I would like to thank the Penn State athletic department and Coach Thiel for giving me this opportunity to coach in Division I lacrosse," Collins said. "My family and I are looking forward to joining the Penn State and State College communities."
Collins has been head coach at Stevens Institute of Technology in Hobokon, N.J, since the 1999-2000 season. During a decade of work at Stevens Tech, he led the team to six straight conference titles, six NCAA appearances and two ECAC crowns. He is second at the school in all-time total wins (111) and notched a 124-57 career record. Collins also led the men's lacrosse team to its first ever NCAA tournament appearance in any men's sport at Stevens Tech.
"Byron brings a wealth of experience and maturity to our staff," Thiel said. "We're excited to have him on staff and look forward to the impact he will have on our offense this year. This is a man who has coached nearly 20 All-Americans and 40 all-conference players. He knows how to motivate his players and with 15 years of coaching experience under his belt, his knowledge of the game will be of great benefit to us."
Collins spent one year at Steven Tech as associate head coach in 1999 and was head coach at Greensboro College for one season (1998). He also spent three years as the head assistant at Roanoke College (1995-1997).