SALINAS – Matt Collins has announced he will retire after 17 seasons, ending the longest-serving coaching career in Hartnell College football at 89 years.
Shortly after leading the Panthers back to a bowl game for the first time in five years with just 31 players this fall, Collins won 93 games in 17 seasons, second only to Marv Grimm.
“I have to prioritize my own health,” Collins said. “I'm 56 years old. I've been coaching for 34 years in a row. The wear and tear is taking its toll, both emotionally and physically.”
Collins took over the program following a 1-9 season in 2006 and preached patience as he sought to restore the reputation of one of the most storied junior college football programs in the state.
“He has reinvigorated the program,” Hartnell College athletic director Danny Teresa said. “He took us to the next level with his energy. His passion was what this program needed when he arrived.”
Teresa was part of the hiring committee when Collins was brought in in 2007 and became the school's athletic director two years later.
“He's passing on the torch,” Teresa said. “His staff is safe. It was invaluable for them to be able to learn under the mat. We're happy with the way things are going.”
Ruben Lerma, who served as Collins' offensive assistant last season, will serve as interim coach for one year until his position is reevaluated.
“I felt it was important to bring the staff together,” Teresa said. “We're recruiting. We thought that was the best bet, so we'll evaluate it in a year.”
Up until the day he made his decision, Collins was also recruiting and his parents were in the office on weekends directing spring ball.
“It was heavy on my mind to have conversations with the players,” Collins said. “There's never a good time. The more you avoid dealing with it, the longer you'll stay there.”
Collins met with his players after a weightlifting session on Monday night, and it was an emotional send-off for the Panther head coach.
“I explained to them what was going on,” said Collins, a two-time California Region II Coach of the Year. “We wanted them to understand that they were in good hands and that as long as the staff was safe, the show would not be off for a second.”
The Panthers' program numbers have struggled in recent years since returning from the pandemic, with just 31 players completing a bowl run last year.
Hartnell was forced to use multiple players on both sides of the ball, but got off to a 6-0 start to the season, defeating both reigning conference champions.
“This has been an exciting year considering what these young men have accomplished,” Collins said. “I wanted it to end better. But one game can't explain their body of work.”
Hartnell lost the bowl game to the Redwoods and finished the season with an overall record of 7-4. Over the past 12 years, Collins has compiled 10 winning seasons.
“I feel like we've accomplished a lot of what we set out to do 17 years ago,” Collins said. “We are pleased to be able to offer young men the opportunity to use our program as a platform.”
Over 17 seasons, including a non-season during the pandemic, Collins has had 185 players earn football scholarships.
Three players were drafted, including former North Salinas High lineman Karl Nix, who went on to win a Super Bowl ring as one of the NFL's top guards with the New Orleans Saints.
“Our mission was to impress accountability on our kids,” said Collins, a former Cardinal Newman football player. “This chapter of my life is complete.”
Under Collins, the Panthers appeared in seven bowl games, six in eight seasons. They won four consecutive conference titles from 2011 to 2014.
From 2011 to 2013, the Panthers went 28-5, with two bowl championships and three state rankings under Coach Collins.
“Probably my happiest year was rebuilding the program after the first few years of stumbling and winning our first bowl game in 2011,” Collins said. “That run was pretty special.”
Collins and Teresa are responsible for the new design of Hartnell's on-campus practice field, which is being installed with the hope of having it ready by the start of fall practice.
“I spent 17 years on a field with goal posts and a field of grass,” Collins said. Mr. Collins plans to remain on the faculty and teach at Hartnell College. “He could have gone for 100 wins. But that's not about me. I have priorities.”
Lerma's appointment to the position, even on an interim basis, made Collins' decision to step down easier, especially with a solid recruiting class.
“I feel better because of the resources at the university,” Collins said. “The support will continue. We have a young staff with energy and passion. We never miss a beat. We are proud to be a part of the legacy of the Hartnell football program.”
