By Tom Nader

Publisher and Editor

The “Getting to Know” series is designed to help the community learn more about the coaches and administrators that are guiding today’s Portage County student-athletes to be tomorrow’s leaders.

Today, we get to know Windham High School girls basketball head coach Jimie Collins, who is in his sixth season leading the Bombers’ program.

JIMIE COLLINS

Q: Hometown?

A: Windham, Ohio.

Q: High school?

A: Windham High School. Class of 1993. Played basketball and baseball.

Q: Current occupation?

A: Construction.

Q: What inspired you to be a coach?

A: My former coaches and my children.

Q: What makes being a coach at Windham special to you?

A: It is my alma mater and the community.

Q: Who has been your biggest influence?

A: Coach Hill and Coach Ridenbaugh because of their love for the game.

Q: Funny story nobody would believe from your playing days?

A: I swapped shorts with a very large underclassman, and he played the whole game in my size small shorts.

Q: Funny story nobody would believe from your coaching career?

A: Half my varsity team put their shots on backwards and had no idea they had them on wrong.

Q: Favorite  TV show?

A: Game of Thrones.

Q: Favorite movie?

A: Hoosiers.

Q: Favorite musical artist?

A: Five Finger Death Punch.

Q: Favorite food or meal?

A: Cheeseburger and fries.

Q: Best vacation?

A: Hilton Head Island.

Q: Shoutout former teammates?

A: Jake Eye, Derek McGhee, Lester Reese, Tom Dyson.

Q: Favorite motto or quote?

A: “Practice harder than you play.” — Michael Jordan

Q: Favorite restaurant?

A: Outback Steakhouse.

Q: Favorite teacher from high school?

A: Mr. Tentler.

Q: Describe your coaching philosophy?

A: Play hard and fast. Be fundamentally sound.

Q: Advice you would give the younger version of yourself?

A: Patience for everything.

Q: Favorite coach from your playing days?

A: Coach Marty Hill.

Q: Coaching resume?

A: Garrettsville and Windham youth girls basketball (2000-2015); Windham Junior High girls basketball (2015-16 and 2016-17); Windham High School girls basketball (2017-present).

Q: Favorite sports team?

A: Ohio State Buckeyes.

Q: Favorite athlete then?

A: Michael Jordan.

Q: Favorite athlete now?

A: LeBron James.

Q: First job as a teenager?

A: Burger King.

Q: Family member that always gave you the best advice?

A: My mother and father.

Q: First car?

A: Plymouth Horizon.