Archie Collins Position: Graduate Assistant / Defense

Former Michigan State safety Archie Collins is in his second year as a graduate assistant on the Spartan coaching staff. He assists the defensive staff, working primarily with secondary coach Harlon Barnett.

In his first year on the staff, Collins worked with perhaps the most improved secondary in the nation, as the unit combined for 17 interceptions in 2010, most at MSU since 2004. All four starters in the defensive backfield earned All-Big Ten honors in 2010, as the Spartans won a school-record 11 games and a share of their first Big Ten Championship since 1990. In addition, all four players recorded career highs in tackles last season. Individually, free safety Trenton Robinson tied for second in the Big Ten with four interceptions and also ranked second in the conference with 12 passes defended, while strong safety Marcus Hyde had three picks.

He has presented at numerous coaching clinics, talking about playing aggressive defenses to create turnovers.

The 34-year-old Collins returned to Michigan State after coaching in the Detroit Public School League for the last seven years. During his tenure in the PSL, he coached nine players who went on to earn all-state honors and 28 players who gained all-city recognition.

A Detroit native, Collins spent the last four years as the defensive coordinator and defensive backs coach at Southeastern High School (2006-09) where he helped the Jungaleers win back-to-back district and division championships in 2008-09. In addition, Southeastern won the PSL city title in 2008. During his tenure as defensive coordinator, the Jugaleers recorded 15 shutouts, 126 takeaways and scored 16 defensive touchdowns.

During the 2005 season, Collins served as the defensive coordinator and defensive backs coach at Mackenzie High School.

He worked for two seasons as the defensive backs coach at his high school alma mater, Cass Tech (2003-04). During his two-year stint, the secondary registered 29 interceptions, 22 pass break-ups and scored four defensive TDs.

Collins, a two-time letterman (1996-97) for the Spartans, was selected Special Teams Player of the Week twice during his career: against Penn State in 1996 and Purdue in 1997. Current Spartan head coach Mark Dantonio served as his position coach during his collegiate career.

Collins, who earned his bachelor's degree in finance from MSU in 1998, is currently pursuing a master's degree in kinesiology.

Collins and his wife Brandi have a daughter, Amber, and a son, Archie IV.