Jan. 18, 2002
Cullowhee, N.C. - Western Carolina head football coach Kent Briggs announced today that Geoff Collins will be his defensive coordinator and Ken Matous will be his offensive coordinator.
Collins, a 1994 Western Carolina graduate in sports management and exercise science, joins Coach Briggs' staff after three seasons at Georgia Tech. He spent last season as the Yellowjackets tight ends coach after two years with the Rambling Wreck as a graduate assistant. This past season, Collins' first year as a full-time assistant coach, Georgia Tech tight end Russell Matvay had career highs with 22 receptions for 245 yards.
"Geoff (Collins) has all the qualities I am looking for both as a person and as a coach," Briggs said. "He played and coached at Western Carolina and has worked his way to this position from the ground up. That process has prepared him for this step and his experiences will enhance our staff, our university and, most importantly, our players."
Before his tenure at Tech, Collins spent two years as the defensive coordinator and linebackers and secondary coach at Albright College in Reading, Pa. In 1997, the NCAA Division III program boasted the leading defense in its conference and ranked in the top 10 nationally in all defensive categories, while in 1998 the Lions' defense ranked among the top three in their league. In 1996, Collins served as an assistant coach at Fordham University, working with the outside linebackers while also serving as the junior varsity defensive coordinator.
He also spent one season (1995) as an assistant coach at Franklin (N.C.) High School while student teaching in the Macon County Public Schools.
Collins tallied 194 tackles as an outside linebacker and defensive back for the Catamounts from 1989-92. He was the team's fifth leading tackler as a junior with 68, while registering six tackles for losses. As a senior, he helped Western to a 7-4 record, logging 62 total hits and five tackles for losses. He began his coaching career as a student assistant on the Western Carolina staff in 1993, when the Catamounts were the preseason No. 1 team in NCAA Division I-AA. A native of Conyers, Ga., who attended Rockdale County High School, Collins earned a bachelor's degree from Western Carolina in Sport Management and Exercise Science in 1994 and then completed the Education curriculum in 1995. He did postgraduate work in psychology at Fordham University and Georgia Tech.
He is married to the former Jennifer Haynes, who is also a Western Carolina graduate.
Matous comes to Western after one season with the Carolina Cobras of the Arena Football League. With the Cobras, he coached the linebackers and running backs and was the special teams coordinator.
"Ken (Matous) brings to our program a wealth of offensive knowledge that will both compliment and improve our players," Briggs said. "I am excited about his philosophy and background in the Atlantic Coast and Southeastern Conferences as well as in the professional ranks. He will to bring exciting football to Western Carolina. In addition to being an excellent coach and person, he will be a role model four our young men."
He worked as the athletic director at Cresset Christian Academy in Durham, N.C., for one year (2000-01) before his stint with the Cobras and was in private business in 1999.
Matous brings 22 years of collegiate coaching experience to his position. Most recently, he was the wide receivers coach at Duke University for five season (1994-99). While with the Blue Devils, Matous coached Corey Thomas and Scotie Montgomery, who finished their careers second and third, respectively, on the school's all-time list. The pair went on to play professional football. He also coached Richmond Flowers at Duke, who went on to professional football after finishing his career as an All-Southern Conference performer at Chattanooga. Matous additionally helped the Blue Devils to a 1994 Hall of Fame Bowl appearance.
Before joining the Duke staff, he was the wide receivers coach at the University of Mississippi from 1991-94. Under his direction, six Ole Miss receivers moved on to the professional ranks. The Rebels additionally played in 1992 Liberty Bowl.
A native of Pittsburg, Kan., Matous served as an assistant head coach and offensive coordinator at Austin Peay University for one season (1990). Prior to his Austin Peay position, Matous was an assistant at the University of Cincinnati (1989), East Carolina University (1983-88) and his alma mater Wichita State (1982). He served as a graduate assistant at Wichita State (1979-81) and did an internship in administration with the Kansas City Chiefs during the spring of 1981. He also served as an assistant coach at Hutchinson Community College in 1978.
At East Carolina, he recruited current New Orleans Saints quarterback Jeff Blake and coached future pros Henry Williams, Norwood Vann, Stefon Adams and Walter Williams.
A 1979 Wichita State graduate, Matous played quarterback for his father, John, at Hutchinson Community College in 1974 and 1975 before going on to play at Western State College in Gunnison, Colo. in 1976 and 1977. He received a bachelor's degree in secondary education from Wichita State in 1979 and earned his Master's degree in physical education/sports administration from WSU in 1981. Matous and his wife, the former Ruth Powell, have a daughter, Kendall (15).
