Chris Collins Talks Extension, State of the Program at Big Ten Media Day

Ryan Cole

Oct 9, 2025, 19:46

Ryan Cole

Oct 9, 2025, 19:46

Updated at: Oct 9, 2025, 19:46

Today is Big Ten Media Day for men's basketball in Rosemont, Ill., and Northwestern's head coach Chris Collins had a lot to say about the state of his program.

Last season was a mixed bag for the Wildcats. After two straight seasons reaching the tournament and winning a first round game, Northwestern didn't make the field last year. It was a frustrating season, as the 'Cats dealt with injuries, refs, poor second halves and more.

But they also showed quite a bit of fight, something Collins seemed proud of at last year's conclusion. Despite losing team leader Brooks Branhizer, Northwestern never rolled over. It was highly competitive in many games down the stretch.

Following the year, the university rewarded its coach with a contract extension through 2030. But given how successful his teams have been in recent seasons, there was certainly concern that Collins would cut bait in favor of a more traditional basketball powerhouse like Villanova.

Luckily for the 'Cats, Collins bleeds purple.

Northwestern Wildcats head coach Chris Collins yells to players on the court Thursday, March 13, 2025, during the second round of the men's Big Ten tournament at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis. The Wisconsin Badgers defeated the Northwestern Wildcats, 70-63. Credit: © Grace Hollars/IndyStar / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

"At the end of every season is self reflection ... Am I still happy, where I want to be, hungry for what I'm doing?" Collins said at Big Ten Media Day. "The legacy piece means so much to me ... At Northwestern, I feel like the program is my baby."

In many ways, it is his baby. Northwestern is in the midst of an unprecedented era of success for a program that hadn't made it to March a single time before Collins took over. The coach is also clearly stepping up his game in recruiting.

Coming to campus this year is Northwestern's highest ranked class in program history, highlighted by four-star forward Tre Singleton. Collins, humble as ever, attributes some of the recruiting success to the core of players that changed everything in Evanston.

"I mean, Tre Singleton, I don't know that he comes to Northwestern if he doesn't see what Brooks and Nick [Martinelli] have done as those hybrid forwards," Collins said.

In addition to this year's class, Collins has another stud on the way in 2026 in Jayden Hodge. The four-star forward committed just this week.

"I want to be on par with what our competitors are doing," Collins said. "We don't have to be at the top of the list, but you have to be around there ... Everyone sees the progress we've made this last three years and wants to keep it going."

Collins knows there's another gear. It remains to be seen if Northwestern can capitalize fully on the momentum built up over recent years.

Chris Collins Talks Extension, State of the Program at Big Ten Media Day