Williamstown and leading VFL coach Andy Collins steps aside
Five games short of the 250-game milestone in the VFL, former Hawthorn star Andy Collins has resigned from Williamstown to take up a full-time teaching position.
Victorian Football
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VFL coaching mainstay Andy Collins has resigned from Williamstown.
Collins has accepted a full-time teaching position and told the Towners he was unable to go on in the revamped state league in 2021.
He was contracted for next year but will continue at Forest Hill College, running the football academy.
It followed speculation he was sounded out for the West Adelaide coaching position in the SANFL. Ironically, it went to another former Willy coach, Bradley Gotch.
Collins had been at West Adelaide from 2008 to 2013.
The former Hawthorn star has coached four VFL clubs and had steered the Seagulls since 2014.
He took them to the 2015 premiership, and they lost a gripping grand final to Richmond in 2019.
“‘Collo’, as he is universally known, leaves Williamstown having made a wonderful contribution to our club and our people,” Towners CEO Jason Reddick said this afternoon.
“The enthusiasm and professionalism that he brought to the role each day helped develop the careers of so many individual coaches, football staff and players, many of whom have progressed on to the elite level including nine players drafted to the AFL.
“Collo also maintained a consistently high level of team performance, leading our stand alone team to six successive preliminary finals, culminating in grand finals in 2015 — when we tasted the ultimate premiership success — and 2019 — where we fell agonisingly short by three points. The club won the last-ever national state league team competition, the 2014 Foxtel Cup, in his first season at the helm.
“Not only was Collo a terrific coach for Williamstown but he has been a great advocate and ambassador for the VFL state league competition, becoming a VFL life member in 2017.
“He leaves our club with our full blessing for the next chapter in his career path and we wish he, Lisa and his family all the very best.”
Collins coached 245 matches in the VFL after starting out at his former club Sandringham, which he pointed to a flag in 1997.
He also guided Coburg to a grand final in 2007.
In between Sandy and the Burgers, Collins coached Box Hill Hawks in 2004-05 while serving as an assistant at Hawthorn.
Collins returned to teaching this year when COVID-19 cut off the VFL season.
“I’ve loved my time at the Williamstown Football Club,” Collins said in a Williamstown press release.
“I’m proud of the culture we were able to develop at the football Club that enabled us to achieve a number of highs over the journey.
“I have lots of love for all the players and staff for their amazing contribution and wish them all the best for the future.
“I wish to pay special mention to Terry Wheeler for his mentoring role over that period.”
The Willy position will be full-time next year.