Lubbock Christian promotes assistant to be head football coach

Lubbock Christian didn't have to look far for its next football coach.

The Eagles promoted offensive coordinator Sam Collins to the position, the school announced Thursday. He will be the 17th head coach in program history.

Collins replaces Chris Softley, who left after nine seasons to become the UT Permian Basin football coach.

"I am honored to step into the role of head football coach at Lubbock Christian," Collins said in a release. "This program is built on a strong foundation of faith and hard work. I am committed to continuing the tradition of excellence, developing young men who compete at the highest level, and representing Christ in everything we do."

Collins, an All-American offensive lineman at Abilene Christian, completed his first season at LCHS in the fall. He helped the Eagles win the TAPPS Division III state championship behind an offense that averaged 47.9 points per game.

Collins has 16 years of coaching experience, including 11 seasons at Denton Ryan. He was on staff for the Raiders' 2020 state championship.

"This is a tremendous step for our football program," LCS president Hutch Haley said. "Our families have already been blessed by the Collins family, and their impact will continue to be felt campus-wide and throughout our community. We look forward to the continued growth and success of Eagle football under the leadership of Coach Collins."

This article originally appeared on Lubbock Avalanche-Journal: Lubbock Christian High School names Sam Collins head football coach