Clifton Collins
Serving on a coaching staff that has guided EMCC to a four-year composite overall record of 36-8 (.818) and 22-2 collective division mark, Collins has been instrumental in the Lions’ current run of four consecutive MACJC state playoff appearances, including last year’s school-first NJCAA National Championship, second MACJC State/NJCAA Region 23 title in three years, and third MACJC North Division crown. In addition, Collins has been a part of a veteran EMCC coaching staff that has sent an average of 20 players per year to the senior college level.
During Collins’ four seasons at EMCC, the Lions have annually rated among the nation’s defensive statistical leaders in interceptions. Along with 18 picks as a team during last year’s NJCAA National Championship season, the Lions previously totaled 17 interceptions in 2008 and 16 picks the following year under Collins’ defensive secondary supervision.
Individually, former Mississippi State University signee Justin Cox rated among the NJCAA statistical leaders with five interceptions last season and returns this season to lead an experienced EMCC defensive secondary. Two years ago, Perrance Ward also ranked among the national leaders with a state-leading five interceptions for the Lions.
Before his arrival at EMCC, Collins divided a total of four years between Southwest Mississippi Community College and Hinds Community College. At Southwest, he served as the Bears’ defensive backs coach and recruiting coordinator during the 2007 and 2006 seasons.
While at Hinds, Collins split duties as the defensive backs coach in 2005 and linebackers coach the year before under the direction of head coach J. Mike Smith. In Collins’ first season in a full-time coaching capacity, the 2004 HCC Eagles ranked ninth in the final NJCAA poll with a 9-2 mark and finished as state runners-up to perennial power Pearl River Community College.
A native of Gloster, Miss., Collins was a one-year letterman for the Ole Miss Rebels, splitting time at safety and linebacker, before an injury shortened his playing career. He was a member of the SEC Academic Honor Roll in 2001 and went on to earn his bachelor’s degree in sociology with a minor in African-American studies from UM. Following his playing career in Oxford, Collins was invited by head coach David Cutcliffe to serve as a student assistant on the Rebels’ 2002 Independence Bowl team.
Collins’ collegiate career began at Southwest Mississippi Community College, where he played quarterback and wide receiver as a freshman before switching to defense as a sophomore safety under head coach Kenneth Edenfield. Collins capped his SMCC career by playing in the 2000 MACJC title game.
Collins was a two-sport standout at Amite County High School in Liberty, Miss., where he excelled both as a quarterback and track and field performer. On the gridiron, he was a three-year letterman for head coach Charles Jackson. After helping lead the Trojans to the school’s first playoff appearance as a junior in 1997, Collins claimed individual accolades as an all-state senior signal-caller.
Collins is married to the former Gernika Henry of Ridgeland, Miss., and they are the parents of one son, Parys, 10, and one daughter, Caiya, 3.