Former legendary basketball player and assistant coach Jay Collins passed away unexpectedly

One of the most prolific and successful student-athletes in Cochise College history passed away this past Sunday, July 31, at his home in Powell, WY. Collins, 41, died unexpectedly while sleeping.

Collins led the Apaches to back-to-back ACCAC championships and NJCAA Region I championships in 1999-2000 and 2000-2001. Collins led Cochise to the NJCAA National Tournament in Hutchinson, KS, during his coaching years at Cochise.

The New Mexico native was one of the best high school players for the Farmington Scorpions and legendary coach Marv Saunders. At the college,  Collins was named first-team All ACCAC, the first team All NJCAA Region I as well as NJCAA All American his sophomore year. He was also a fine student, earning NJCAA Academic honors.

Collins earned an NCAA Division I scholarship to Southern Utah University, where he was the starting point guard for the Thunderbirds for back-to-back years, teaming up with Cochise teammate Kevin Henry. He had a short stint playing professionally in the Continental Basketball Association and had some overseas offers before getting into college coaching.

Collins served as a consultant and volunteer assistant coach for the college from 2003-2005. He then came back as the top assistant for Head Coach Jerry Carrillo for three seasons from 2007-2010, helping guide the 2009-2010 club to the ACCAC championship and earning NJCAA Top 10 rankings.

"Jay Collins was one of the best competitors ever to come through Cochise College in any sport. Jay was the ultimate fighter and winner," said Head Coach Carrillo. "He was a great player and leader. Jay came back as a coach and again went on from Cochise College to the NCAA DI level just like he did as a player. Jay impacted many young men's lives and was an outstanding coach at every level he coached at. I had the unique pleasure of knowing him from age 17 as a young high school kid till he passed away at age 41. He was a true colleague and friend. My heart goes out to his wife and family, and my heart goes out to the Cochise Basketball family. Jay will be missed dearly."

Collins moved onto Northern Arizona University in the summer of 2010 as an assistant coach for the Lumberjacks. Collins also had coaching stints at Idaho State University as well as Farmington High School, his alma mater. Most recently, Coach Collins was the Head Coach of Northwest College and NJCAA Region 9 members in Powell, WY. He just finished his third year as the helm of the Trappers.

Collins is survived by his wife Sheila, parents Jalene and Jerry Collins and brother Gabe.