Wheeler football coach Mike Collins resigns after nine seasons

Wheeler coach Mike Collins resigns — *Mike Collins of Wheeler, at left, and Jep Irwin of Lassiter were the deans of East Cobb football coaches. Photo: ECN file*

Principal Peter Giles announced this afternoon that Mike Collins, the Wheeler football coach, has resigned to accept another position.

Giles released the letter at the bottom to the Wheeler community. He did not indicate where Collins is going.

Collins was 37-56 in his time with the Wildcats, and had two winning seasons. Wheeler made three trips to the state playoffs in his tenure, in 2012, 2015 and 2016.

In 2018, Wheeler started out with a promising 5-0 record. The Wildcats also returned to the state rankings for the first time in 27 years, but missed the state playoffs after losing four of their last five games to finish 6-4.

In their final two games, the Wildcats gave up 76 points to Westlake, then surrendered a 14-point lead to Pebblebrook in a win-or-go-home playoff setting in losing their season finale.

Wheeler football — *The Wildcats were flying high in the first half of the 2018 season. Photo: ECN file*

Collins is the second East Cobb football coach to leave his position since the end of last season.

In December, Jep Irwin stepped down after nine seasons at Lassiter. The Trojans were 1-9 in his final year. His successor has not been named.

The other four East Cobb high schools have named new coaches in the last two years. Walton’s Daniel Brunner has taken the Raiders to the state playoffs in both of his seasons, as has Brett Sloan of Kell, a former Walton assistant.

Former Pope player Tab Griffin also has guided the Greyhounds to a playoff berth, while Sprayberry’s Brett Vavra continues rebuilding the Yellow Jackets at his alma mater.

Collins, who previously coached at Chamblee and Pebblebrook, was hired at Wheeler in late 2009 to succeed Tom Flugum, who is now the Pope High School principal. Wheeler’s football fortunes had long faded from its days when Corky Kell presided in the 1970s, and as the school became better known for its basketball success.

In his letter, Giles thanked Collins, saying he has “done a tremendous job in improving the facilities, building a supportive and well-organized booster club, and developing the football program.”

Giles said Wheeler athletics director Troy Jones is accepting applications for Collins’ replacement.