ST. PETERSBURG, FL – After leading the Tampa Bay Rowdies to new heights as head coach over the last six seasons in the USL Championship, Neill Collins is moving on to a new opportunity. The Rowdies and Barnsley FC have come to terms to allow Collins to take over as manager for the English Football League One club following Saturday’s Rowdies home match.
“We bid farewell to Neill Collins with a mixture of pride and sadness. While we are saddened by his departure as head coach of the Rowdies, we are immensely proud of the success our club has achieved, both on and off the field, under his guidance,” said Rowdies Owner Stuart Sternberg.
“Neill’s leadership and dedication have left an indelible mark on our organization, and we are eternally grateful for the tremendous work he has done and delighted to see him further his career as a young coach,” said Rowdies Vice Chairman Brian Auld. “We thank Neill for his invaluable contributions and wish him the very best in his new position.”
Collins was appointed head coach of the Rowdies in May of 2018 after a two-year playing stint with the club in which he appeared in 67 matches. The Scotsman has since shepherded the Rowdies to continued success throughout his six seasons as head coach, leading the club to 98 wins across all competitions in his 175 matches in charge.
In 2021, Collins was named the USL Championship Coach of the Year after guiding the Rowdies to the league’s best regular season record with a club record of 71 points. Collins also led the Rowdies to four straight playoff appearances, including two Eastern Conference titles during his tenure. The 39-year-old is currently tied for fourth in the USL Championship’s history with 85 wins going into Saturday’s contest – equal with Richmond Kickers legend Leigh Cowlishaw – and has posted an overall regular season record of 85-39-34.
“I’ve been so fortunate during my time here to work with so many great people,” said Collins. “The professionalism and attitude of the players and staff have made my life a lot easier. I’m especially grateful to our previous owner Bill Edwards for giving me this chance and to our current owner Stuart Sternberg and our leadership group, who have given us the platform to go and do what we do best.
“The fans’ support has never wavered since I took this job. We’ve done everything apart from winning a championship. That’s probably the only disappointment I’ll look back on in my time here, but we’ve had so many unbelievable moments. When I came here seven years ago, I didn’t expect this club to become such a big part of my life, but it has for me and my family. The biggest thing when you leave any club is that you want to be able to come back in the future to support it and be welcomed. I hope that’s the case.”
Collins will coach his final match for the Rowdies this Saturday at Al Lang Stadium when the Green & Gold host Oakland Roots SC. While the Rowdies conduct a search for the club’s next head coach, Assistant Coach Stuart Dobson will serve as interim head coach.
“While change can be bittersweet, our commitment to excellence remains unwavering,” said Rowdies Vice Chairman Matt Silverman. “We will continue to field a top-tier team that competes for championships and entertains our devoted fans.”
Following Saturday’s match, the Rowdies will honor Collins for his contributions to the club’s legacy with a special video tribute to be played on the Al Lang video board. Tickets for the match can be purchased by clicking here.
