LORMAN — For the third time in four seasons, Alcorn State University will have a new head football coach patrolling the sidelines in 2011.

The University of Northern Colorado announced Tuesday that Earnest Collins has accepted the head coaching position for the Bears. Collins coached the Braves in 2009 and 2010, amassing an 8-12 overall record and a 7-9 record in the SWAC.

Collins served as associate head coach at Alcorn in 2008 under then-head coach Earnest Jones. After Jones was relieved of his duties following the 2008 season, Collins was elevated to head coach. He finished 3-6 overall and 3-4 in the SWAC in 2009, and was 5-6 overall and 4-5 in the SWAC this past season.

In both seasons as Alcorn’s head coach, the Braves were in contention for the SWAC Eastern Division championship.

Collins takes over at Northern Colorado after former head coach Scott Downing was let go in November. Collins played defensive back for the Bears from 1991 to 1994, where he tallied 978 punt return yards, a school record at the time.

Collins earned a bachelor’s degree in kinesiology from Northern Colorado. He also coached for the Bears from 2000 to 2003 as defensive backs and special teams coach. He will be the Bear’s 16th head football coach, as well as the first minority head coach and first former player to return as coach.

Collins was unavailable for comment Tuesday night. Alcorn Athletic Director Brenda Square and Associate Athletic Director LLJuna Weir were also unavailable.