Geoff Collins doesnât want to be Nick Saban.
That doesnât mean he doesnât want to win several national championships like his former boss â of course he does. But he pulled together ideas from every coach heâs worked with, and that has gone into his work as Temple head coach this spring. One of the biggest lessons came in the last two years as Floridaâs defensive coordinator.
âIâve been around some great coaches. George OâLeary, Coach Saban, Coach Mullen, but probably the biggest thing to get ready as a head coach were the last two years I spent at Florida with Coach McElwain,â Collins said on SiriusXM College Sports Nation. âBeing with such good coaches and the amount of success, a lot of coaches fall into the trap of trying to be Nick Saban or George OâLeary. But I learned being around Jim McElwain to be yourself. He is who he is on constant basis."
What Collins learned from McElwain was how to deal with people â the people you donât work with as a head coach.
âWhether youâre the president of the of the university or an assistant equipment manager, he treats you the same,â Collins said. âThe same respect, the same thoughtfulness and his positivity and energy. There are things I wrote down over the years that when I got my shot, Iâm going to do. Iâve stayed true to myself.â
How to deal with people has especially been key at Temple. As the head coach, everything goes through you.
That was an adjustment for Collins. So much so that he decided to get to the office around 4:30 a.m. during spring ball so he could fit everything and everyone in.
âThe biggest thing is just the number of people that come into my office on a daily basis,â he said. âReal life decisions that affect the present and future of Temple football and these kidsâ careers and my coachesâ families. The second I walk in in the morning, thereâs a steady stream of people in my office. Itâs fun. Iâm enjoying it.
âI had to get up at 4:30 during the spring so I could get work done before people started coming in and out. Itâs been great. Weâve had a blast.â
Geoff Collins: 'A lot of coaches fall into the trap of trying to be Saban'
That doesnât mean he doesnât want to win several national championships like his former boss â of course he does. But he pulled together ideas from every coach heâs worked with, and that has gone into his work as Temple head coach this spring. One of the biggest lessons came in the last two years as Floridaâs defensive coordinator.
âIâve been around some great coaches. George OâLeary, Coach Saban, Coach Mullen, but probably the biggest thing to get ready as a head coach were the last two years I spent at Florida with Coach McElwain,â Collins said on SiriusXM College Sports Nation. âBeing with such good coaches and the amount of success, a lot of coaches fall into the trap of trying to be Nick Saban or George OâLeary. But I learned being around Jim McElwain to be yourself. He is who he is on constant basis."
What Collins learned from McElwain was how to deal with people â the people you donât work with as a head coach.
âWhether youâre the president of the of the university or an assistant equipment manager, he treats you the same,â Collins said. âThe same respect, the same thoughtfulness and his positivity and energy. There are things I wrote down over the years that when I got my shot, Iâm going to do. Iâve stayed true to myself.â
How to deal with people has especially been key at Temple. As the head coach, everything goes through you.
That was an adjustment for Collins. So much so that he decided to get to the office around 4:30 a.m. during spring ball so he could fit everything and everyone in.
âThe biggest thing is just the number of people that come into my office on a daily basis,â he said. âReal life decisions that affect the present and future of Temple football and these kidsâ careers and my coachesâ families. The second I walk in in the morning, thereâs a steady stream of people in my office. Itâs fun. Iâm enjoying it.
âI had to get up at 4:30 during the spring so I could get work done before people started coming in and out. Itâs been great. Weâve had a blast.â
Geoff Collins: 'A lot of coaches fall into the trap of trying to be Saban'
