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It appears there’s a favorite to replace Steve Clinkscale (Michigan) as the next defensive backs coach of the Kentucky Wildcats.
Bruce Feldman of Fox Sports reports Georgia State safeties coach and recruiting coordinator Chris Collins has emerged as the “frontrunner” to be Clinkscale’s replacement in Lexington.
SOURCES: Ga. State Safeties Coach / Recruiting Coordinator Chris Collins has emerged as the frontrunner to join the staff at #Kentucky, coaching DBs to replace Steve Clinskscale. Heard Collins was very impressive in the interview process.
— Bruce Feldman (@BruceFeldmanCFB) May 28, 2021
Collins has been at Georgia State since 2017 and became the program’s recruiting coordinator in 2019.
Under his leadership, Georgia State signed the highest average player ranking in program history in 2020.
After a standout career as a defensive back at Western Carolina that saw him land All-Southern Conference honors and record 300 career tackles, Collins entered the coaching ranks in 2010 at Western Carolina before stops at DII Catawba College, where he coached All-American defensive back and NFL signee L.J. McCray.
Collins would make one more stop at WCU before spending a year as a graduate assistant at Appalachian State and then landing at Georgia State.
Clearly, as a recruiting coordinator, Kentucky must believe Collins has what it takes to fill Clinkscale’s shoes as their main recruiter in Michigan and Tennessee. There’s no doubt he spent time in the Volunteer State while at Georgia State, which could be a major asset for the Cats.