By By SCOTT NOVAK / Niles Daily Star
NILES – Former Brandywine assistant Gary Collins has been named the Niles varsity softball coach.
Niles Athletic Director John Danaher made the announcement Friday morning.
Collins, who has been an assistant for the Lady Bobcats since 1998, replaces veteran Niles coach Jim Arnold, who retired at the end of the season.
Arnold coached the Lady Vikings for 17 seasons, amassing more than 300 victories at the helm of the softball program.
Niles collected one conference championship and one district title over that span.
This past season Niles posted a 25-11 overall record.
The Lady Vikings finished second in the Southwest Michigan Athletic Conference's West Division.
Collins has had a hand in one of the area's most successful programs over at Brandywine as an assistant for Jim Myers.
The Lady Bobcats won their ninth consecutive Lakeland Conference championship this past season. Rival Buchanan in the district semifinals eliminated Brandywine from the state tournament.
Brandywine captured the Division 3 state championship in 2001 and has made several appearances in the Final Four.
"We're pretty excited about what Gary brings to the table," Danaher said Friday morning. "His knowledge of our program and his knowledge of our girls is a plus. He has watched most of them grow up out there at Fireman's Park. His years at Brandywine have served him well.
"This change will be good for us," Danaher continued. "After having the same coach for 17 years, it will be good to bring in someone who is going to do things a little differently."
With the return of all-state pitcher Jenna Ignowski and several other key players, many are looking for the Lady Vikings to not only continue their winning ways, but take that next step.
"There is a lot of expectations for this team," Danaher said. "He comes in knowing what this team has and what it is capable of doing. We're pretty excited about what the future has in store for us."
Collins could not be reached for comment on Friday afternoon. Check the Daily Star web site (www.nilesstar.com) for additional information.