Pain was evident on the candlelit faces of students, teachers, faculty, and members of the community gathered at St. Clair County High School on Tuesday evening to remember coach and teacher Michael “Mike” Collins.

Collins was found dead in his home on Evergreen Road in Springville on Monday, Aug. 21 from an apparent homicide. The investigation is ongoing and more details have not been officially released.

Collins worked at Odenville Middle School for 10 years, first teaching seventh grade reading and then serving as the librarian for the past six years. Collins was also an assistant football coach for St. Clair County High School and coached baseball with Odenville Middle School.

Hundreds gathered and lit candles in the practice football field at the St. Clair County High School to share memories and support each other through what has been a tragic loss and shock to the community.

Several people stood and spoke about Mike Collins, pointing out how giving and helpful he was to everyone who needed him. Coach Billy Ray Morris spoke about his friend and co-worker, saying he was like a brother.

“I was able to work with him for eight years,” Morris said, choking back tears. “I promise you I wouldn’t be here if it wasn’t for him…there is not a doubt in mind. I owe him everything professionally that I have. Collins was there every step of the way.”

Among the tear-filled eyes of students and palatable grief that could be felt, Morris regaled those attending with stories of Collins, of his love of Wonder Woman, hip hop music, his infamous buffalo chicken dip, and his ability and willingness to help anyone with any problems, especially tech related issues.

“He (Collins) was the go-to guy for any problem… tech problems. If he couldn’t fix it, I promise that he would find somebody that could,” Morris recalled.

“No matter what he was doing, he was going to drop what he was doing. No matter how many times he had fixed that problem with you before, he was going to run and make sure you had what you needed. Every single time. He would call it a ‘picnic’ error: problem in chair, not in computer,” Morris said, eliciting a rare laugh in the somber atmosphere of the crowd.

“If I can grow more to be half the man he is, then I’ll consider my life a success,” Collins continued. “Because the things he taught me and being there for me has humbled me a lot and now I have kids of my own and I try to love them as Collins loved me, as he loved everybody.”

Counseling is being offered to students grieving the loss of their teacher and coach. The first football game of the St. Clair County High School season will be on Friday, Aug. 25. The community is invited to join the football team around 6:25 p.m. for a moment of silence and to release balloons, preferably the school colors of maroon and white to honor Collins. 

“I just ask you to carry his memory on through love. Love each other. Love your school. Love your job. Love your family,” Morris concluded speaking of Collins. “Whatever you have, whatever you do, love it to the fullest because that’s how he lived life every single day. “