Associate head coach Chris Collins will remain at Duke after having initial discussions with Illinois State Director of Athletics Gary Friedman regarding the school’s head coaching vacancy.
Collins came to the decision to remove his name from consideration after discussions with Friedman on Sunday. He was also rumored to have a strong interest in the Northwestern job (despite the fact that it didn’t open up, and Bill Carmody later received a vote of confidence) and the Illini were rumored to be interested in Collins (of course that didn’t work out either).
So that’s three jobs in the Land of Lincoln that Collins has been linked to.
But none came to fruition.
“With my family legacy at Illinois State, I have a great love and strong emotional ties to the university,” said Collins. “Illinois State is a terrific university with an excellent basketball tradition and future. I have a strong desire to be a head coach but after conversations with Mr. Friedman I came to the determination that it was not the right fit for me and the university at this time. It is an honor to be in consideration for the opening at my parents’ alma mater and I look forward to watching the entire athletic and academic community at Illinois State continue to grow and prosper.”
Collins is in his 12th season as a member of the Duke men’s basketball staff having spent the last four years as an associate head coach. The Blue Devils are 356-72 with eight ACC Tournament titles and two National Championships during his tenure in Durham.
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