2025

Rodeo coach Jeff Collins named to ProRodeo Hall of Fame

Jeff Collins

Panola College is proud to congratulate Coach Jeff Collins on his induction into the prestigious ProRodeo Hall of Fame. The newly announced class of inductees includes standout athletes, trailblazers, and legends of rodeo.

A former world champion, Collins earned the title of 2000 PRCA Bareback Riding World Champion and is a six-time National Finals Rodeo (NFR) qualifier (1994-95, 1997, 1999, 2000, 2002). He captured the 2000 NFR Average Title with a then-record score of 816 points on 10 head, further solidifying his legacy in the sport.

“There are so many guys who are deserving, who are amazing athletes and cowboys who have done so much for the sport, that it’s just so humbling,” Collins told the ProRodeo Hall of Fame. “I’ve seen so many greats go in there, and just to be mentioned with them is amazing.”

Collins’ journey began in high school rodeo in Missouri, where he competed in bareback riding and bull riding. He later moved to Fort Scott, Kan., to rodeo at the collegiate level before joining the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association (PRCA) in 1993.

Over his decorated professional career, Collins captured numerous major titles, including:

  • Dodge National Circuit Finals Rodeo Champion (1993)
  • Reno Rodeo Champion (1999, 2000)
  • California Rodeo Salinas Champion (1998, 2000)

Now in his tenth year leading the rodeo team at Panola College, Collins has transformed the program into a powerhouse. Under his leadership, the team has had at least one qualifier for the College National Finals Rodeo (CNFR) every year – except in 2020 when the event was canceled – and has earned numerous accolades along the way, including:

  • 2022 CNFR Tie-Down Roping National Champions
  • 2021 CNFR Reserve National Champions
  • 2021 CNFR Tie-Down Roping National Champion
  • 2021 Bareback Riding Reserve National Champion
  • 2021 Tie-Down Rookie of the Year
  • 2019 CNFR National Men’s Team Champions
  • 2019 National Champion Bull Rider
  • 2019 Reserve Champion Bareback Rider
  • 2019 All-Around Rookie of the Year
  • 2019 Tie-Down Rookie of the Year

Collins’ contributions to rodeo – both in and out of the arena – have been nothing short of extraordinary. His induction into the ProRodeo Hall of Fame is a fitting tribute to a career defined by excellence, leadership, and passion for the sport.