Sept. 18, 2002
Gaffer n. 1. Chiefly British. An old man. 2. an electrician who handles lighting on a film or television stage set. 3. Slang. Kentucky’s men’s soccer coach.
Three definitions that all, in some way, describe Ian Collins. Though not “old,” Collins is wise beyond his years – he was the youngest Division I head coach in the nation when he took his first head coaching position. Though not an electrician, Collins has lit the way for many student-athletes to be successful both on and off the field.
The third definition is the one most widely used in Lexington. Collins’ players and fellow coaches know him simply as “the gaffer,” which they use as a term of respect and endearment for a man that has brought Kentucky men’s soccer into national prominence.
The Bridge North, England, native began at Kentucky as an assistant the year after the soccer Cats became a varsity program. Two years later, in 1994, he was promoted to head coach. His first victory was against UNC-Asheville on Sept. 5, 1994. The rest, as they say, is not just history – it’s past, present and future.
While the Southeastern Conference does not sponsor men’s soccer, Collins’ program joined the Mid-American Conference in 1995. That season also proved to be a breakthrough year for the Cats, who defeated national powerhouse Indiana on their way to a school-record 16 wins.
Firmly planted in a strong conference, the Cats continued their steady rise. Collins’ 50th win at UK occurred on Sept. 27, 1998, against Vanderbilt.
In 1999, Kentucky won its first of three consecutive MAC Tournament Championships, which carry with them automatic bids to the NCAA Tournament. In 2000, the Cats tacked on an NCAA tournament victory over ninth-ranked Saint Louis to advance to the Sweet 16.
Last season, UK was undefeated in the MAC regular season and tournament, winning their last four matches before falling in the second round of the NCAA Tournament to fifth-seeded Clemson, 1-0, in triple overtime.
Collins would likely be the first person to dismiss the importance of his personal successes at the helm of the Kentucky Wildcats for the past nine years. He would also be the last.
During his tenure, Collins’ Wildcats have amassed 99 wins while averaging 12 victories a season and winning sixty percent of their matches.
He has been named the NSCAA Mid East Region Coach of the Year once, and the Mid-American Conference Coach of the Year three times in the seven years that Kentucky has been a member.
Collins has never allowed personal milestones and individual accomplishments to cast a shadow over the most important thing – team success. Collins has the collective eye of Kentucky soccer focused on the ultimate prize – the national championship.
Along the way, numbers – like the 100-win plateau that the Cats will be looking to hit for the Collins era on Friday, Sept. 20, when they take on Cleveland State in the second game of the Traditional Bank Invitational at the UK Soccer Complex – are trivial.
There are, however, numbers that do matter for Collins: the final score, the date of your last match of the year and postseason rankings. As a college coach, he has also put emphasis on another number – grade-point average. He gives his “student-athletes” every chance to succeed, on both sides of the hyphen.
In the spring semester of 2001, 79 percent of the men’s soccer team achieved at least a 3.0 GPA. The previous fall, the team had captured their first MAC regular-season title to go along with a second consecutive tournament championship.
The dual effort he exerts for his players is lost on no one, especially the players. Collins’ track record has attracted many top players, none of whom are disappointed when they reach the Bluegrass.
Players cite his intensity, passion and dedication as the main reasons they choose and enjoy Kentucky soccer. In their own words:
?“Coach Collins is a mastermind; he truly knows the game and has built a huge reputation around the country. He belongs among the elite.”
?“He helps us in any way he can to achieve the goals that we set forth for ourselves and the team. He knows what it takes to win at this level and how to take the game to the next level.”
?“Coach is great at putting you in a physically and mentally demanding atmosphere that will allow you to succeed both on and off the field.”
?“He is completely dedicated to the school, the program and the team.”
?“It all comes down to one word – passion!”
Earning the respect of the players has made his job easier. The word is out about Collins – among prep players and coaches the world over – and the Wildcats look to be a durable power.
For UK, success is not just reaching new heights, it’s staying there.
“The key to success is to achieve a level of consistency,” Collins says. “There are certain programs in the country that make the NCAA Tournament once and then you never hear from them again. Our goal here is to be an annual contender for a national championship.”
As Collins moves into his second “century” of winning, the Wildcats are poised to make their final push through the upper echelons of college soccer.
All thanks to a gaffer.
