Former Hamden Coach Hired In North Haven

NORTH HAVEN, CT — Former longtime Hamden coach Gary Collins has been named the new head girls’ soccer coach at North Haven High School, officials announced this week. Collins, the 2010 CIAC Soccer Coach of the Year, coached the Hamden girls’ soccer program for 17 years.

As a player, Collins was a two-time All-American for Mercer Junior College and also won a national championship with Mercer in 1991. He continued his education and soccer career at Southern Connecticut State University, where he earned All-New England and All-NECC honors in 1994 while serving as team captain. Collins has spent the last 20-plus years coaching boys and girls for high school, college and premier teams across the state.

“Coach Collins brings a wealth of coaching experience and soccer knowledge to the North Haven girls’ soccer program,” North Haven High School Athletic Director Steve Blumenthal said. “Coach Collins has a passion for coaching student-athletes and for the game of soccer. The North Haven High School girls’ soccer program will be headed in the right direction under the direction of Coach Collins.”