AURORA, Colo. — After spending nine years as the head football coach at the University of Northern Colorado, Earnest Collins Jr. is stepping into a high school role.
On Saturday morning Collins was introduced as the head football coach at Gateway High School in Aurora.
The event hosted parents and players and other members of the Gateway community where Collins stood up on stage in the school auditorium to address how he hopes to bring great football knowledge and a pursuit to enrich the lives of the Gateway students.
He hopes to improve every side of things from academics to service and, of course, football too.
"It was purposeful...I want to be a part of putting Gateway on the map as to being not just a powerhouse in athletics but a powerhouse in education so that the parents can understand that we can't leave our young people in this community and they can come out with a great education and play some good sports," Collins told 9NEWS' Scotty Gange.
From college to high school, Collins is ready for his next challenge both on and off the field.
>> Watch the interview with Gange and Collins above
Catch the 9NEWS Prep Rally with Scotty Gange Saturday and Sunday mornings at 7:45 and 8:45 for highlights and feature stories from around Colorado in the high school athletics community.
If you have a story idea you can reach 9NEWS Prep Sports Reporter Scotty Gange via email at scotty.gange@9news.com or on Twitter at @Scotty_G6
If you have a highlight you'd like to send in for the Prep Rally or for consideration for the Honor Roll top plays of the week you can email it to the 9NEWS Sports team at sports@9news.com