Ex-Penn State football coordinator introduced on new staff

For the second time this offseason, Penn State football has watched one of its coordinators introduced at a new program. On Monday, former Nittany Lions special teams coordinator Stacy Collins was officially introduced to his new role with the Boise State Broncos. The news comes as James Franklin has hired Vanderbilt assistant Justin Lustig as his replacement.

Former Penn State STC Stacy Collins introduced at Boise State

Stacy Collins has officially made his return to Boise State. On Friday, news broke that the Penn State special teams coordinator was being hired away from the Nittany Lions. Collins is originally from Oregon and had spent his entire career before Penn State on the West Coast, including a stint with the Broncos in 2021.

“My family and I are so excited to get back to Boise State and the Treasure Valley,” Collins said in a statement on Monday. “We know how special of a place it is and what can be achieved there, which is why I’m proud to Bleed Blue. I am really looking forward to continuing building off the momentum from last season. It is an honor to be able to work under the leadership of Spencer Danielson and Jeremiah Dickey. I am so fortunate to have maintained relationships with players and staff on the team from my time there, and I cannot wait to get back to work with them.”

𝑯𝒆'𝒔 𝑩𝒂𝒄𝒌!@CoachCollins46 makes his return to Boise State from Penn State as the Broncos' assistant head coach/special teams coordinator/inside linebackers coach.

📰 https://t.co/Cay2SYVhlW#BleedBlue pic.twitter.com/DaPgOrM2ID

— Boise State Football (@BroncoSportsFB) January 15, 2024

Spencer Danielson was hired as Boise State’s head coach in December after a three-week stint in the interim position. Collins will serve as special teams coordinator, linebackers coach, and assistant head coach on Danielson’s new staff.

Stacy Collins led an impressive turnaround on special teams for Penn State over the last two seasons. The Nittany Lions finished No. 6 nationally in net punting and No. 22 in kick return yards allowed. Alex Felkins, Nicholas Singleton, Riley Thompson, and Daequan Hardy earned All-Big Ten honors on special teams in 2023.

Franklin set to hire Justin Lustig

James Franklin didn’t waste much time searching for Stacy Collins’s replacement. On Monday, it was reported that Penn State football was set to hire Justin Lustig of Vanderbilt. The Nittany Lions made the move official on Wednesday morning.

A Broyles Award nominee in 2018 while at Syracuse, Justin Lustig has spent the last three seasons as the Commodores’ special teams coordinator, tight ends coach, and associate head coach. Vanderbilt finished fourth in the SEC in ESPN’s special teams efficiency this season.

Justin Lustig is a native of Erie. He graduated from Cathedral Prep before playing defensive back at Bucknell.

Thank you for reading Basic Blues Nation, the market’s fastest-growing Penn State sports outlet. Please follow us on Facebook and Twitter for the latest news and insights on your favorite Penn State athletics. For feedback, questions, concerns, or to apply for a writing position, please email us at basicbluesnation@gmail.com or direct message us on our social media. Also, be sure to check out our new site shop. It’s due to your support that we can proudly claim a readership of over 3.5 million in our first year of operation.