New LC Coach

knoxnews.com-Shelley Collier’s first conversation regarding the Lenoir City girls basketball coach opening was not centered on her, but instead on her daughter.

Collier’s friend who is an administrator at the school asked if Katie Collier, who is Soddy-Daisy's girls basketball coach, was interested.

After learning Katie was unavailable, the conversation with Shelley Collier continued. Collier recalls her friend saying, “We would like you, but we didn’t think we could get you.”

“I wasn’t looking for it, it kind of fell into my lap and got in front of me,” Collier told Knox News. “The more I prayed on it, I felt like this was a calling to make a move.”

After 25 seasons leading Knoxville Webb girls basketball and winning six state championships, Collier will now lead Lenoir City, replacing Brad Cochran who resigned on May 22 after two seasons.

“I don't think we could have gotten a bigger hire,” said Christopher Brittain, Lenoir City’s athletic director. “We're grateful for the position we're in right now. I think the community is excited, players, parents, so there's just a buzz going on about girls basketball here in Lenoir City.”

Why the change of scenery

The decision to move was not an expected one for Collier. Her interest grew the more she learned of the commitment the school had to its students’ endeavors in athletics and academics.

Lenoir City is in the process of finishing renovations to some athletics facilities by the end of July. These include renovating locker rooms, adding new offices and adding air conditioning to the gymnasium. Including upgrades for other sports, Brittain confirmed that the renovations cost $2 million.

Lenoir City is also not an area unfamiliar to Collier. Her home in fact is closer to Lenoir City than it is to Webb.

“I just felt, ‘Wow it’s a small community, it is closer to my house than actually where I’ve been working at Webb,”’ Collier said. “I just feel like we were kind of pulled this way and led this way there’s been a lot of confirmation that this what I need to do.”

Gratitude toward Knoxville Webb

As hopeful as Collier is for the near future with Lenoir City, it was emotional leaving the program she established special relationships with. She said Webb is a second home and that she has nothing but great things to say.

“It’s probably been the most difficult decision I've ever made, Collier said. “It was really tough, because I love my players at Webb and it was really hard to look them in the eye, their parents and tell them that I was leaving.”

Collier’s Webb team had a 19-10 record last season, which ended in the first round of the Division II-AA playoffs.

Collier said that she’s had opportunities to leave at other times in her coaching career, but this time was an opportunity she couldn’t pass.

“I loved Webb with my whole heart," Collier said. “I'm leaving on a positive and I know that Webb will continue to be excellent. And I'm going to be in a place where I feel led to be, comfortable and I’m at peace with to make a difference at another community.”

Future at Lenoir City

Lenoir City will be Collier’s fourth high school program in her 34-year coaching career. Before Webb, she coached Clinton (1989-93) and Karns (1993-98.)

Lenoir City had arguably its best season in the program’s history last year. It finished with a 25-4 record and had its first 20-win regular season and best win percentage in school history. The Lady Panthers' season concluded in the Region 3-3A semifinals, losing to Signal Mountain 51-39. This year's team has no seniors on the roster.

Besides six state championships at Webb, Collier brings the experience of 16 state tournament appearances and 14 region championships to a young team. She was the PrepXtra Coach of the Year in 2012 and 2018.

Collier played for coaching legend Pat Summitt at Tennessee from 1983-87, playing in three Final Fours and was the MVP of the 1987 national championship team. After her playing career, she was a graduate assistant at her alma mater for a season.

Collier said she doesn’t feel newfound pressure to bring success to a program that hasn’t made the state tournament in Murfreesboro since 1997.

“Pressure is something you feel when you don’t know what you’re doing,” Collier said. “I know what I’m doing, it’s my passion, it’s my calling.”

Collier is forever grateful for the love the Webb community has shown to her for over two decades but is prepared for a new journey.

“I got a lot of green in my closet still, but I’ve been used to wearing orange before so I’ll be wearing orange again,” Collier said.