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Collins steps in at Northwest

BY JOANNA CHADWICK

The Wichita Eagle

After four years as a boys basketball assistant at Northwest, Chris Collins has been hired as the Grizzlies' coach.

Collins replaces Eric Hofer-Holdeman, who resigned in April after eight seasons. Northwest won the Class 6A title in 2006.

"I'm elated," said Collins, 32, who teaches special education at Northwest. "In my estimation, it's a dream job for me.

"I feel that this is one of the best schools in the state. Holdeman did a wonderful job, built a great program, great kids, great philosophy and I'm just honored to be the one to help continue that successes."

Northwest athletic director J. Means believes Collins can do just that.

"We think he's got a chance to continue the program in the direction that Coach Holdeman had it going," Means said.

"I definitely believe that Coach Collins has the qualities and the goals that we want. Not only in coaching, but in working with young men."

Collins, who went to high school in Houston, played for Phillips University in Enid, Okla. That college shut down shortly after he graduated in 1998.

"I've had a love affair with basketball since I was 14, 15 years old," Collins said. "It's one of those deals, you kiss your first girl, you are stuck on her. (Basketball) stuck with me.

"... I'm more in love with the game now than I was as a kid, to see the kids grow with the game and learn so much more instead of just how to put it in the hoop."

• Northwest also hired Ron Russell to coach cross country, while boys golf coach Marty Marshall will coach girls golf as well.