Head boys basketball coach Sherron Collins will not be returning to Free State next year and has accepted a position at Oak Park High School, he confirmed in an interview last week.  

Collins, a first-year high school coach, is a name known to many in the Lawrence area. His number sits in the rafters at Allen Fieldhouse, and he helped lead the Jayhawks to a National Championship in 2008. This time around, Collins returned to the basketball scene in Lawrence on the sidelines. Despite his short tenure at Free State, Collins said he cherishes the relationships he made and will miss his players. 

“All of the memories will stick out because it was my first year — my first group of seniors, my first everything,” Collins said. “I built relationships with my students and players here, and the community is unbelievably supportive.” 

Deciding to leave the school has been a bittersweet journey for Collins. When talking about his new job, he noted that although his departure will be hard, he is leaving for all of the right reasons — to create a better life for his family, and to eventually coach collegiately. 

“The whole thing came out of the blue,” Collins said. “I talked to the people closest to me to help get an opinion of the job. There was an opportunity to make money for my family, and the program there is ready to compete for a state championship. I want to coach at the college level, and I think I can do it, but these years are preparing me for that. It felt like the right place for me and my family, and that’s what weighed into it.” 

Collins noted that if there is one thing that he will take into his next job, it’s the virtue of patience. 

“As a coach you want to do well and win every game, but you can’t win them all. Having patience with the kids and different attitudes is important. You coach a 17 or 18-year-old kid, and some of those times you’re dealing with stuff at home or dealing with stuff off the court, and that’s where I exceeded because I was there for them. It’s always been bigger than basketball with me.” 

Collins’s departure comes at a time of ongoing turmoil in the USD 497 district. Budget cuts and school closures have prompted many teachers to take other positions in neighboring districts where pay is better. Although this has been a pressing issue for many teachers, Collins reports that the budget cuts and school closures haven’t played a direct role in his departure, but they certainly influenced the decision. 

“[District issues] played into it because obviously there are some struggles with money, and they are having to cut jobs and close schools, so there is a lot going on [in Lawrence],” Collins said. “But at the same time, it’s not their fault — I’m not mad at anybody. There were a lot of little things that we don’t have here that worked into it. Teachers don’t know the security of their jobs.” 

Whether in Lawrence or not, Collins hopes to act as a positive light to the people around him and be an impactful coach, teacher and individual. By striving to give back and spread love, he has felt a reciprocated love thrown back at him. After all, it is the personal aspect of coaching that he said is the most dear to him. 

“To our student body — I just want to say thanks for the support. Thanks for the relationships I have built. With this being my first year, these kids will stick with me forever. I will always remember the love and support. That’s why I work and got into coaching and this business, for the relationships, and touching kids’ lives,” Collins said.