Following the hire of Adam Fisher as associate head coach last month, Micah Shrewsberry announced his second coaching staff addition in David "Aki" Collins.
We're excited to announce the addition of Aki Collins (@CoachAk40) to the coaching staff!
— Penn State Mens Basketball (@PennStateMBB) April 7, 2021
Help give Coach Collins a warm & welcome to Happy Valley
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Collins worked with Shrewsberry for two seasons when both were on the staff at Marshall. Collins served as assistant coach and recruiting coordinator, while Shrewsberry was the Director of Operations for the Thundering Herd.
"From the time we first worked together at Marshall, Aki is someone who I have watched, studied and learned from," Shrewsberry said in a release. "I continued to follow his career and his successful stops at all levels of basketball and those experiences will be very valuable to our program."
"He fits the culture and values we are working to establish here at Penn State. Aki is a tireless recruiter with connections all over the country, which we'll utilize to bring in talented student-athletes."
Most recently, Collins was the director of basketball operations at New Mexico, following a five-year stint in the NBA with the Oklahoma City Thunder as an amateur scout under then-head coach Billy Donovan.
Before his time with the Thunder, Collins spent three seasons on the coaching staff at Memphis and four years at Marquette.
"I am truly honored and blessed to receive this opportunity from Coach Shrewsberry," Collins said in the release. "We have coached each other's teams from our living rooms and offices. Some of our major career decisions have been hashed out over the phone, at dinner or via text."
"His character, family values and basketball knowledge, made this an easy decision for me and my family. I am happy for him and honored that he placed his trust in me. I look forward to getting to Happy Valley and getting to work."
