Joe Collins '23 completed his first season on the coaching staff for JCU Football in the 2024-25 academic year. He worked with the running backs.
Under his instruction, the Blue Streaks ground game saw consistent success. Evan McVay was named to the OAC's Honorable Mention team after amassing 493 yards and 11 total touchdowns this season. Nemo Jenkins also added 602 yards on the ground.
The Blue Streak rushing attack ranked fourth in the OAC in rushing offense, and helped JCU rank third in the OAC in total offense.
The Grand Rapids, Michigan native enjoyed a great playing career for the Blue Streaks. Collins started the 2022 and 2023 seasons at quarterback, guiding the Blue Streaks to back-to-back 8-2 records. As a senior in 2022, Collins earned All-OAC Second Team honors as OAC Offensive Player of the Week honors for Week 8. During his fifth year in 2023, Collins garnered First Team All-OAC honors and Week 9 OAC Athlete of the Week recognition.
Thanks to his fantastic 2023 season under the mentorship of Jeff Behrman '95 and Travis James, Collins set season and career records for pass completion percentage, pass efficiency, and average yards per pass. Collins served as a captain during his final season in the Blue & Gold.
