Blue Star Operations

Tom Collen

Tom Collen joined Blue Star Basketball after a career that has spanned over three decades in women’s basketball, where he was one of the most recognized recruiter in the country during the late 80’s and early 90’s before a storied career at the head coaching position (Record: 349–160) with his last held position at the University of Arkansas.

Collen’s career is stamped with success throughout his journey. Collen began his coaching career at Miami (OH) University in 1981, where he worked for three seasons. He was assistant coach at the University of Utah from 1984 to 1986, and at the Purdue University from 1986 to 1993. In 1993 he moved to the University of Arkansas, where he was assistant coach and recruiting coordinator until 1997. He was named assistant head coach for his last two seasons with the Lady Razorbacks. The year after he left, the Arkansas team went to the Final Four of the NCAA Women's Division I Basketball Championship. Arkansas' women's athletic director Bev Lewis said "his reputation as a recruiter is among the best in the country."

Collen left the University of Arkansas in 1997 to take the head coaching job at Colorado State University. Colorado State went to the NCAA Tournament four times in five seasons under his leadership. In 1999, his team played in the NCAA Sweet Sixteen, and Collen was named coach of the year. His winning percentage of 79.6% (129 wins and 33 losses) ranked fourth among Division I women's basketball coaches at the time.

In 2002, Collen accepted a position at Vanderbilt University but resigned the next day over a discrepancy discovered on his resume. He had listed two master's degrees from Miami (OH) University, but Miami had reported only one degree in two subjects. Miami later acknowledged its mistake. By then both Vanderbilt and Colorado State had new head coaches. Collen took a year off from coaching, working as a television commentator and a consultant for the WNBA.

After the yearlong sabbatical, he then accepted the top job at Louisville in 2003. From 2003-2008, Collen compiled an impressive 87-37 record and made the NCAA tournament three times. Despite his success there, he decided to move back to Arkansas in 2008 and become the head coach of the Lady Razorbacks.

Under his leadership the team began the 2008 season with an impressive school record 15 consecutive wins to start the season. The future looked promising, but catastrophic injuries led to a major fall-off to end the season. Moreover, the team finished 2009-10 last in the SEC with a 12-18 record and rebuilt the program but was dismissed from his position in 2014 following a 19-14 season.

The Ohio native, and received his bachelor's degree in Physical Education from Bowling Green State University in 1977. He earned a master's degree in Health Education from Miami University (of Ohio) in 1982, and another in 1983 in Recreational Programming. He and his family reside in Connecticut and Florida.