Collins leaves UCF staff, Kelly draws interest

UCF linebackers coach/recruiting coordinator Geoff Collins is leaving UCF and is      headed down south to serve as Florida International's defensive coordinator.

The Miami Herald confirmed the news of Collins leaving the Knights coaching staff, which had been rumored to happen earlier this week.

"Geoff did a good job for UCF, and we wish him the best of luck in his new position," UCF head coach George O'Leary said Friday afternoon in a press release.

Collins coached a linebacking core that led UCF to the No. 4 rushing defense in the nation, allowing just 82.7 yards per game to opponent rushing attacks.

Prior to UCF, Collins spent time at Georgia Tech and Western Kentucky before serving as the Director of Player Personnel at Alabama prior to his time at Central Florida. He spent the last two seasons on the sidelines for the Knights.

Another UCF coach that was rumored to leave the Knights is wide receivers coach David Kelly. For the time being, it appears Kelly is staying put in Orlando. The Associated Press reported last Wednesday that Arkansas head coach Bobby Petrino hired Steve Caldwell and Kris Cinkovich to coach the defensive line and wide receivers, respectively.

The report puts to rest that UCF WR coach David Kelly will accept a job with the Razorbacks, although there are still rumors out there that Tennessee and Kentucky have expressed interest in Kelly as an assistant coach.

Kelly, who has served as WR coach for UCF for the past three seasons, has had interest in becoming a head coach one day and has worked for numerous Bowl Championship Series level programs, including serving as an assistant at Georgia Tech, LSU and Georgia.

Arkansassports360.com reported early Wednesday that although reports rumored that Kelly was being courted by the Razorbacks, Petrino     didn't even have Kelly on his radar for a coaching position.

Kelly is currently on the road recruiting and has not commented on a contract offer or decision. According to multiple sources, UCF players have also not been informed of any decision made nor heard of any denial from Kelly.

The major impact this could have on UCF is in the area of recruiting, where Kelly has starred for the Knights, especially in the South Florida area. Kelly was heavily involved in bringing in Miami Central quarterback Jeffrey Godfrey, who is enrolled early at UCF this spring, and his teammates, Joshua Reese and Jammal McClain. Kelly has recruited 11 of UCF's 21 commitments so far.

Kelly has numerous ties for recruiting in the hot-bed area of South Florida, which makes him an attractive piece to any program,     especially a team like Arkansas or Kentucky that is trying to tap into the Florida talent pool.

Here are some of the players that Kelly has recruited over the years for the Knights: In 2010, Quenton Brown, Jeffrey Godfrey, Joshua Reese, Jammal McClain, Jordan McCray, Justin McCray. In 2009, Jonathan Davis, Nico Flories, Kemal Ishamel. In 2007, A.J. Guyton  and Khymest Williams.