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2026 Regular Session ENROLLED
SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION NO. 34
BY SENATORS CATHEY, BARROW, EDMONDS, HENRY, JACKSON-ANDREWS,
KLEINPETER, LAMBERT, MCMATH, MIGUEZ, MILLER, MIZELL,
MORRIS, MYERS, OWEN, PRESSLY, WHEAT AND WOMACK
A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION
To express the sincere condolences of the Legislature of Louisiana upon the passing of
Coach Pat Collins.
WHEREAS, it is with deep sorrow that we have learned of the passing of Coach Pat
Collins, who departed this life on February 12, 2026, at the age of eighty-four; and
WHEREAS, Patrick "Pat" Collins was born on August 20, 1941, in Shreveport,
Louisiana, to the late Jack Henry Collins and Grace Ada Scheffler Collins, and from an early
age embraced the guiding principle instilled by his father - nothing in this world is free and
success is earned through hard work and perseverance; and
WHEREAS, a 1959 graduate of Fair Park High School, Pat earned a football
scholarship to Louisiana Tech University, where he later completed his master's degree and
began a storied coaching career that would leave an indelible mark on collegiate and high
school athletics; and
WHEREAS, after beginning his coaching career at Airline High School, he returned
to Louisiana Tech University as defensive coordinator under Head Coach Maxie Lambright,
contributing to seasons remembered as the "Glory Years" of Louisiana Tech University
football; and
WHEREAS, in 1978, following Coach Lambright's retirement, Coach Collins made
the courageous decision to move his family to Monroe to serve as defensive coordinator at
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Northeast Louisiana University, now known as the University of Louisiana at Monroe, under
Head Coach John David Crow, and in 1981, he was named Head Coach Pat Collins; and
WHEREAS, during his tenure, he inspired his players to excellence, culminating in
the crowning achievement of the 1987 season when his team captured the NCAA Division
I-AA National Championship with a victory over the Marshall Thundering Herd football
team in Pocatello, Idaho, forever securing his place in Louisiana football history; and
WHEREAS, Coach Collins' distinguished career also included service in the
Louisiana Secretary of State's office and coaching positions at Arkansas State University,
the Miami Tribe, West Ouachita High School, Ouachita High School, and a lengthy and
impactful tenure at Longview High School in Longview, Texas, as well as consulting roles
at Longview High School and Calvary Baptist Academy in Shreveport; and
WHEREAS, in 2015, Coach Collins was rightfully inducted into the Louisiana Sports
Hall of Fame in Natchitoches, Louisiana; an honor reflecting a lifetime devoted to athletic
excellence, mentorship, and leadership; and
WHEREAS, beyond the gridiron, Coach Collins was a devoted husband, father,
grandfather, great-grandfather, uncle, mentor, and friend, whose strength of character,
steadfast faith, and unwavering commitment to family and community defined his life more
profoundly than any championship title; and
WHEREAS, Coach Collins was preceded in death by his grandson, Christopher Ryan
Collins; his parents; his brother and sister-in-law, Jack Frederick Collins and Julia Johnson
Collins; his sister-in-law, Candis Slemons Barrientes; and his niece, Sheila Collins Boales;
and
WHEREAS, Coach Collins leaves to cherish his memory his loving wife of sixty-five
years, Bonnie Slemons Collins; his children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, extended
family, countless former players, colleagues, and friends, all of whom were strengthened and
inspired by his leadership, discipline, humor, and enduring love; and
WHEREAS, the citizens of Louisiana are grateful for the legacy of excellence and
integrity he leaves behind, and the Legislature of Louisiana recognizes that his influence will
continue to echo through the lives of the many young men he coached and mentored
throughout his remarkable career.
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THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Legislature of Louisiana does hereby
express its deepest condolences to the family of Coach Pat Collins, honoring his
extraordinary life of service, leadership, and devotion to family, faith, and football.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a copy of this Resolution be transmitted to the
family of Coach Pat Collins as an expression of the Senate's heartfelt sympathy and enduring
respect.
PRESIDENT OF THE SENATE
SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
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