Ludwig: Don’t Take Pitt Secondary Coach Archie Collins For Granted

It’s kind of hard to believe that Archie Collins is still just a position coach.

Collins is entering his seventh season on the Pitt coaching staff, serving as the secondary coach the entire time, and the results speak for themselves. He’s helped put Dane Jackson, Jason Pinnock, Damar Hamlin, Damarri Mathis, Erick Hallett, Brandon Hill and M.J. Devonshire into the league.

He’s an excellent teacher, and a true talent developer, but he’s also one of the best recruiters on the Pitt staff. He’s only reinforced that over the last couple of weeks.

Pitt has landed former four-star cornerback and Kentucky transfer Jaremiah Anglin Jr. and current four-star cornerback Elijah Dotson over the last month. And there’s a common denominator.

“I’d say (Collins) played the biggest role in me committing there,” Dotson told Pittsburgh Sports Now. “They put DBs in the league, you wanna look at it as more than just football, but at the end of the day, you have to look at the coach and coach Collins produces, he develops and he really cares about his players. I talked to a lot of people — I went to the combine and talked to all the Pitt players there just trying to figure out if it was really the place for me, and coach Collins is real. I’ve heard it from everybody.”

When Anglin hit the transfer portal last month, the first person he heard from was Collins. The relationship never truly ended; it was always one of love and respect.

“If I take away the coaching aspect, are you still going to support me? Are you still going to check on me? Are you still going to be a great father? Are you still going to help me as a man? And if you take coaching away from coach Collins, he’s still the same person,” Anglin told PSN.

In today’s college football, it’s become very hard for a position coach to override financial opportunity. NIL is the name of the game. But Collins is the type of coach who has thrived before the introduction of NIL and continues to do so after. He’s a relatable voice who’s able to offer proven production and opportunity. That isn’t always the case. He’s almost invaluable alongside Cory Sanders.

Collins has the unique task of keeping Pitt relevant in Georgia and Michigan — along with some responsibility in Ohio. He was the lead voice in reaching out to current quarterback commit Mason Heintschel, who I feel is supremely underrated, and that talent evaluation isn’t limited to just quarterbacks, obviously.

In recent seasons, Collins has helped land stud prospects Jordan Bass, Caleb Holmes, Rashad Battle, Ryland Gandy, Ryan Baer, Branson Taylor, Shadarian Harrison, etc.

Collins may not have the name-brand recognition that some of the past Pitt assistants have attained, but he’s one of the most important members of the staff. The cornerbacks played a vital role in the success of not just the defense but the entire team. And he’s guided the unit to increasing success during his time in Pittsburgh. His work as a recruiter, in today’s college football, is just as important.

Pitt has a strong defensive staff, and while former defensive line coach Charlie Partridge dominated the headlines, Collins has been a leading voice in bringing top talent to Pittsburgh. It’s time to recognize his impact for what it is.