Matt Collins - Head Football Coach

Matt Collins is beginning his 6th season as the Head Football Coach at Hartnell College.
His Panthers are coming off a Conference Championship, and a Division/Bowl Championship season.  Although he is pleased with the results of the 2011 season, Coach Collins is placing high emphasis on continuing with the standard that has been set.  The foundation has been laid and the bar has been raised high, and now it’s in the hands of the 2012 team.  Under Coach Collins, the Panthers have won a share of the Coast Conference Championship two out of the past three seasons. The 2009 and 2011 teams have finished with a conference record of 4-1. A goal of the 2012 Hartnell Panthers is to win the conference championship outright, something that they have come close to doing but have yet to accomplish. Some highlights of this past season include: Finishing the season Ranked 20th in the State of California (71 Colleges); earning (Back to Back) Conference MVP’s, both offense and defense; Earning twelve 1st Team All- Conference player awards; having won 2 of the first 4 scheduled games for the 1st time in 17 seasons. Finishing with (8-3 record) most wins since 1992. Becoming the Conference Champions, Bowl Champions, and Division Champions.  RB Alvin Jelks broke the All-Time Single Season Rushing Record (1641 yards) held since 1971 & he tied the All-Time Touchdown Record, in a career, with (33).  QB Austen Fales surpassed the 2,000 yardage passing mark for the 1st time in 12 years.  The Panthers had 5 Division 1 scholarship players and a total of 12 players earn some form of a university scholarship.

In 2010, the panthers had 11 players sign scholarships, including All-American LB Kiero Small, signing with the Arkansas Razorbacks.  Look for Kiero Small to start at fullback for the Razorbacks, but rumor has it, that he will also see time at linebacker.  There are several other Panthers to keep an eye on while flipping your channels.  Mike Milovale, Monterey HS (2011 panther) is battling for a starting position for the University of Hawaii (opener vs. USC) and (2011 panther) Nick Nunes, North Salinas HS, will be playing for Middle Tennessee State ( Sun Belt Conference).  In reflection, it is well known that Hartnell College has had many successful years of athletics, and in particular the football program is well known for its winning tradition.  “It is an honor to hold the position of head football coach at a school whose reputation of success is known throughout the country.  At this time, the football program has seen tremendous improvements in a variety of areas.  With the recent groundbreaking efforts on the field house project, we will be close to the completion of an overall facelift in our athletic department.  Our athletic programs have shown an improved attitude of work ethic and commitment and it is becoming infectious around campus.  With the support of our athletic director, Danny Teresa, and a solid group of coaches/support staff, we will continue to develop our student athletes into productive members of our community.

It is our mission to mold our student athletes into responsible individuals and assist them to achieve a college education.  Life is full of obstacles and adversities, and the game of football is full of similar challenges.  As a coach, I have an opportunity to impress upon our players the importance of overcoming challenges they may be faced with while balancing their education, athletics, and other outside obstacles in everyday life”.

“We intend to prepare each week in efforts to beat our opponents.  Through hard work and discipline our players will be up for the challenge. Thank you for supporting Hartnell Football and we look forward to seeing YOU………….Saturday nights at “The Pit”.