Earnest Collins begins his third season on the Northern Colorado football staff. He oversees the Bears' defensive secondary as well as the special teams. Under Collins' direction, redshirt freshman Vincent Jackson finished second in the nation in punt return average (18.0 yards per return). Junior Eric Nelson led the NCC in kick return average last season with a 27.2 average per return.

A UNC alum, Collins returned to his alma mater in December, 1999 following a successful coaching stint at Northwest Missouri State University in Maryville, Mo. While with the Bearcats, he helped the school to back-to-back national championships in 1998 and 1999.

Collins enjoyed a standout career as a defensive back and punt returner at UNC from 1991-94. He earned second team All-North Central Conference honors following his senior season. A four-year starter, Collins holds UNC records for punt return yards in a career (967) and in a season (497). He also ranks fifth on the single game punt return yard list with 114 yards against North Dakota State in 1994. After his player career, Collins spent one year as a student assistant on the UNC staff.

A native of Denver, Collins attended Denver East High School. He earned his bachelor's degree from UNC in 1996 and his master's from Northwest Missouri State in 1998.

Collins and his wife, Tabitha, were married Dec. 24, 2001, and have two daughters, Tayler (3) and Marci (born May 28, 2002).