Stuart Collins will enter his 11th season on the sidelines ahead of the Panthers' 2024 campaign. Collins has been instrumental in recruiting student-athletes from overseas and in particular in his homeland of Ireland.
Collins helped bring former midfielder and three-time First Team All-GLIAC performer Daire O'Riordan to the program. He also has mentored Eoin Broughan, Matt Whelan and Cian Quinn, all Irish, who have been All-GLIAC performers.
Outside of Davenport, Collins currently serves as executive director and technical director of coaching for Michigan Rangers FC, as well as the head coach for the club's semi-pro NPSL team. Collins also serves as the head coach for Michigan State ODP.
With almost 20 years under his belt as a coach, Collins has served for a vast amount of clubs and teams, including: Vardar West Staff Coach (2010-2012), Vardar West Technical Director (2012-2016), Vardar Grand Rapids Owner/Technical Director (2016-2018), and head coach for Grand Rapids FC in USL League 2 (2020-21).
Prior to coaching, Collins has played at a very high level, including for Davenport University and the Muskegon Risers soccer team.Â
After playing four years as a starter for the Panthers, Collins remained with the team and helped his former teammates make an impressive run to the program's first NAIA National Championship in 2014. The Panthers compiled a program-best 22-3-1 record and won the Wolverine-Hoosier Athletic Conference (WHAC) Tournament championship for the second-straight season and third time in a five-year span.
A three-time All-WHAC selection and former team captain, Collins accumulated eight goals and 11 assists in 81 career games (78 starts). Collins has also played the fourth-most minutes in Davenport history (6,427).
Collins holds coaching licenses for USSF B and UEFA B, as well as a United Soccer Coaches Advanced National Diploma.Â
The husband of Kelli Collins, Collins has two children with his wife, twins named Jack and Lucy.
