A Sudden Departure
After eight years at the helm of the Islands baseball program, veteran coach Brandon Collins announced his resignation this week, citing a desire to devote more time to a family enterprise.
A Legacy of Wins
Collins departs with a milestone on his résumé: his 100th career victory, achieved in dramatic fashion during a perfect game pitched by senior right‑hander Dylan Stewart earlier this season.
The achievement was more than a statistic; it was a testament to Collins’s ability to develop talent, a skill honed during his own high school days as a standout catcher and later at South Georgia and the University of South Carolina at Beaufort.
Family Ties
Collins’s father, Marty Collins, served as an assistant coach throughout much of his tenure, adding a familial dimension to a career that also included stints as an assistant at Calvary Day and Benedictine.
A New Coach Emerges
Taking over the program is Tim Jones, who has spent the past eight years as an assistant at Lamar County High School and previously contributed eight years to Gordon State College’s staff.
Jones’s own baseball pedigree includes a high school career at St. Thomas Aquinas in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, and a college experience at Piedmont College, giving him a blend of regional and broader experience.
In a statement released to the press, Jones expressed enthusiasm about the opportunity, noting that the Islands’ tradition and community spirit align with his own coaching philosophy.
Looking Forward
The transition comes at a moment when the program is poised for renewal, with the administration confident that Jones’s background will sustain the competitive edge established under Collins.