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2008 Baseball Coaches
Chris Collins recently completed his fourth season as an assistant coach for the Trojan program. Collins was the hitting instructor, coached the outfielders, and assisted former Trojan mentor Jeff Forehand with team defense and base running while heading up the recruiting efforts.
In his comments about Chris Collins accepting the Trojan baseball head coaching position, Trevecca president Dr. Dan Boone noted that Trevecca is putting another great Christian leader in charge of the baseball program. He added, "I am excited about the future of Trevecca baseball! Chris Collins is a devoted Christian, a leader, a competitor, and a developer of young men. He will invest in our student-athletes and leave an indelible imprint on their lives. We have selected Chris from a field of over 30 applicants, believing him to be a fit for Trevecca and a servant of our students."
Trevecca athletic director Alan Smith added, "Chris has had an impact on this campus since the first day he arrived as a student-athlete and continued to make an impact as he has transitioned from All-American athlete to standout assistant coach and administrator. I have no question in my mind that he is the right person to take the lead of our baseball program and continue the tradition he's helped create the last four years."
Smith is pleased to hire someone out of the Trevecca family: "It is always a bonus when you can hire someone who wore the Trojan colors; Chris has helped restore the pride in the Trevecca baseball tradition first as a player, then as an assistant coach. What might be most impressive is the type of people he has helped recruit over the last four years."
Collins said, "This is clearly an unbelievable opportunity for me and my family. I want to thank Dr. Boone, Steve Harris, and Alan Smith for the chance to lead the Trojan baseball program. There is no question in my mind that Trevecca is exactly where I am supposed to be. People on this campus have made me feel like I was the only man for the job from the beginning, and that means a great deal to me. Some say it is more of a challenge to sustain a winning tradition than it is to build one, but the commitment of our players have will help us continue the tradition we have started together. We've already started and are looking forward to working for a return trip to the Region Tournament, and hopefully a breakthrough to the NAIA World Series."
The offense has witnessed steady progress over the last four seasons under Collins' direction. In 2003 five everyday starters hit over .300, and two were All-TranSouth selections. The 2004 team was nationally ranked in the top 13 in five major offensive categories: batting average, (12th); total hits, (11th); runs, (13th); triples, (1st); and walks, (6th). Eleven everyday contributors hit over .300, and six position players were All-TranSouth selections. The 2005 team finished ranked in the top 10 nationally in batting average, (6th); runs scored, (5th); hits, (5th); doubles, (6th); triples, (1st); RBI, (5th); and stolen bases, (8th). Single season team records were re-established in runs scored, total hits, doubles, triples, RBI, and stolen bases. Nine everyday contributors hit over .300, and three position players were All-TranSouth selections. In 2006, the Trojans finished in the top 20 in triples per game (8th), doubles per game (11th), and batting average (19th).
As hitting instructor Collins has witnessed several postseason honors for his players. In 2003 designated hitter Kyle Felts made the all-conference team. In 2004 centerfielder Brad Coon and short stop Colby Rainey were both selected to the TranSouth first team. Coon was selected Region XI first team, and Honorable Mention All-American. In 2005 Brad Coon and catcher Craig Ballentine earned TranSouth first team honors. Coon was named conference player of the year and Region XI first team. Coon was a 1st team All-American selection and drafted in the 15th round by the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim. In 2006 Trevecca second baseman Maurice Cole was selected NAIA honorable mention All-American after being named to the Region XI team. In the TranSouth Maurice Cole was named to the first team, while outfielder Chris Lowe and Dylan Lynch were named to the second team.
Collins himself had an impressive career as a player prior to his transition to coaching. In 2002 he had one of the best offensive seasons in Trojan baseball history. He hit .412, led the TranSouth in Homeruns with 20, had 51 RBI, and was named All-TranSouth, Region XI first team, and Honorable Mention All-American for his efforts. Prior to Trevecca, Collins played at the University of New Mexico, and South Mountain Community College in Phoenix, Arizona. Collins played his freshman season with the Trojans prior to transferring to South Mountain CC.
Trevecca has posted a 168-63-1 overall record and 48-26 TranSouth record during Collins tenure as assistant coach.
2003 35-20, 11-10
2004 44-17-1, 12-7
2005 47-16, 11-4 Conference Champ
2006 42-20, 13-5 Region Tournament Finals
The Trojans have witnessed a record three-consecutive 40 win seasons. There have been four 40 win seasons at Trevecca and Collins has been an assistant coach for three of those campaigns. The 2006 season was the fourth-consecutive season with 30 wins, only Elliot Johnson's run of five straight 30 win season from 1986 through 1990 surpass the current streak.
The 2003 season saw a third place conference finish, and a 35-20 record. In 2004, his fourth season Forehand's Trojans posted the most wins in school history with a 44-17 record. The 2005 campaign saw another record-breaking win total as the Trojans went 47-16, won the TranSouth regular season, and tournament titles, and made the Region XI tournament for the first time since region play began in 1997. Last season the Trojans saw their deepest postseason finish since the NAIA started region play. Trevecca advanced to the NAIA Region XI Championship Game before falling to National Runner-up Cumberland. The team finished with a 42-20 record and were second (13-5) in the TranSouth regular season race.
Collins graduated with a degree in communications from Trevecca in 2002, and completed his Masters in Science of Management degree from Trevecca in 2004.
Chris and his wife Sharon reside in Nashville, and had their first child, son Cason, in May of 2006.
Burton's 2007 pitching staff led the TranSouth Conference in five statistical categories: opposing batting average (.256), strikeouts (469), strikeouts per game (7.44), fewest hits allowed (472), and fewest hits allowed per game (7.49) while finishing second in ERA (3.90), and innings pitched (493.2). Trojan hurlers also broke three school records in innings pitched (493.2), strikeouts (469), and saves (12).
Several Trojans earned honors including senior LHP Luke Brown (All-TranSouth and Region XI First Team) who led the NAIA in wins (16) and set the TNU record for wins in a season. Senior RHP Eric Van Slyke, who signed as an non-drafted free agent with the Kansas City Royals following the season, was named the TranSouth, Region XI and National Pitcher of the Week on several occasions during his TNU career. He led Trevecca in innings pitched (104.2) and strikeouts (125).
Burton spent the 2007 summer coaching a Sandlott Wood Bat League team named the Trojans. The team captured the regular season crown (23-13 record), won the National League title, and placed third in the Sandlott Tournament. Burton's 18 U summer teams (2003-2005) have a combined 111-63 record with two league championships (2005) and have 20 players in collegiate baseball.
Burton, who pitched at Trevecca from 2001-2004, returned from Tommy John surgery in 2004 and posted a career best 8-1 record with a 3.93 ERA, compiling a career record of 13-10.
The 2004 Trevecca graduate (communications) completed his master's degree in sports administration at Tennessee State University in 2007.
In 2007, the Trojans offensive attack was led by many individuals who had remarkable seasons. Eight everyday players hit over .340 as the team led the TranSouth Conference and Region XI statistics in: team batting average (.354), hits (704), and triples (39).
Coach Smith comes to Trevecca from Motlow State Community College where he assisted Coach Don Rhoton for one season. During his tenure at Motlow the team finished 3rd in the TJCCAA conference regular season with a 33-20 record and made it to the semi-finals of the state tournament.
Prior to coaching at Motlow, Smith assisted at Riverdale High School for two season, serving as head coach for the freshman team and as a varsity assistant in charge of outfielders and hitters. In 2005 Riverdale finished 30-12 and received a berth in the AAA State Tournament.
The past five summers Smith has coached the Murfreesboro Diamondbacks 18u summer baseball club. In its five years of existence the team has compiled a 145-91 record (.614) while playing the best competition in the eastern United States. The Diamondbacks have had more than 60 players sign college scholarships and have had three players drafted into professional baseball. In 2006 the Diamondbacks were AABC "Connie Mack" State Champions.
Coach Smith played at Motlow State Community College. Under the direction of hitting coach Ricky Morris, Smith hit .380 his sophomore season and finished in the top 10 in batting average in the TJCCAA.
Smith graduated with a degree in business administration from Middle Tennessee State University in 2005. Currently, Coach Smith is working towards his master's degree in business education at MTSU.
Former Trojan Eric House will serve as the teams' graduate assistant this season under head coach Chris Collins. House will work with the outfielders, work advanced scouting and recruiting.
"I am glad we could keep Eric around the hill in this new role. He is unbelievably passionate about the game of baseball, he is a great communicator, and has a great rapport with our returning players," said Coach Collins. "He had a huge impact on our team as a player, and I expect the same results as he moves to coaching. My assistants are vital to the success of this program, and Eric is a great addition to the staff."
House started his college career at Jackson State Community College before transferring to Trevecca. As a senior House hit .348 for the Trojans with 29 runs scored, 12 doubles, a triple, 41 RBI, and was successful on eight of 14 stolen base attempts. As a junior House hit .305 with 27 runs scored, eight doubles, two triples, two home runs, and had 30 RBI. As a junior, House was successful on eight of nine stolen base attempts. On his career House was successful on 16 of 23 stolen base attempts.
The Old Hickory, Tennessee native began his Masters of Business Administration degree in August of 2007. House graduated with a degree in Business Administration from Trevecca in 2007.
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