Boise State loses second assistant coach in past week. This one left for the Big Ten
Less than a week after replacing its running backs coach, the Boise State football team finds itself in the market for a special teams coordinator.
Stacy Collins — who also coached edge pass rushers — is heading to Penn State, where he’ll join head coach James Franklin’s staff as special teams coordinator and also will coach outside linebackers and nickelbacks, the Nittany Lions announced Tuesday.
“I’m extremely excited about the opportunity to work under the leadership of Coach Franklin and join the Penn State family,” Collins said in a statement. “I look forward to developing and growing our special teams units, which have had a history of success during coach’s tenure. I’m also excited to work with coach (Manny) Diaz and the defensive staff to continue to build on the strong defensive tradition of Penn State. My family and I can’t wait to start this new chapter in Happy Valley.”
Boise State running backs coach Winston Venable stepped down last Thursday. He was replaced the next day by Keith Bhonapha — a longtime assistant under former head coach Chris Petersen at Boise State and Washington.
Collins joined the staff at Boise State last January after five seasons at Utah State, where he coached defensive backs, linebackers and running backs, and also spent time as co-defensive coordinator and special teams coordinator.
Under Collins’ tutelage, Boise State kicker Jonah Dalmas set the Broncos’ single-season record with 26 made field goals this season.
Collins has also coached at Portland State (special teams), Central Washington (special teams, defensive line, linebackers), Southern Oregon (defensive coordinator), Idaho State (linebackers), Western Washington (linebackers, special teams), South Dakota School of Mines (defensive coordinator, safeties) and Western Oregon (linebackers). He spent four seasons as the head coach at South Dakota School of Mines.
His departure frees up some salary space at Boise State. Collins made $225,000 in his one season.
This story was originally published January 4, 2022 at 12:56 PM.
