The son of legendary former NBA player and coach, Chris Collins has plenty of eyes on him at all times.
A Veteran Voice Still Building
Collins is set to turn 52 by the end of the 2025–26 season, and the Northwestern head coach still has plenty of years ahead of him in college basketball. After a standout playing career at Duke, Collins began his coaching journey in 1998 as an assistant with the Detroit Shock before stops at Seton Hall and Duke. He became Northwestern’s head coach in 2013, taking on one of the most challenging jobs in the Big Ten.
Now entering his 13th season, Collins has recorded 194 career wins and a 3-3 mark in NCAA Tournament play. In 2023, he earned both the Jim Phelan National Coach of the Year Award and Big Ten Coach of the Year honors.
Building Northwestern’s Modern Era
Collins has done what few thought possible, making Northwestern basketball competitive in a deep and historic Big Ten. The Wildcats have reached the NCAA Tournament three times under his leadership, winning their first-round matchup each time.
Their most recent tournament run came in 2024 when Northwestern, as a No. 9 seed, beat Florida Atlantic in overtime before falling to eventual national champion UConn.
Despite never winning a Big Ten regular season or tournament title, Collins’s 2022–23 team tied for second in the league at 22-12 overall and 12-8 in conference play, one of the program’s best seasons ever.
Aiming for a Big Ten Comeback
Northwestern finished 17-16 last year, ending a streak of two straight NCAA appearances. Collins begins 2025–26 with a 194-190 career record, including 87-142 in Big Ten play. The Wildcats were picked 15th in the Big Ten’s preseason media poll, ahead of Penn State, Rutgers, and Minnesota, a ranking that only fuels their motivation.
The Wildcats open the new season at home against Mercyhurst on November 3 and Boston University on November 7. Their first road trip comes November 21 to face Virginia in West Virginia. Non-conference challenges include South Carolina, Oklahoma State, and Butler before Big Ten play begins December 3 against Wisconsin.
The Drive to Prove It Again
Chris Collins has built Northwestern into a program that expects to compete not just participate. After missing out on March Madness last year, his veteran leadership and experience could be the key to sparking another turnaround.
Overlooked or not, the Wildcats are ready to fight their way back into the Big Ten spotlight.