Lakeya Collins is a registered nurse, entrepreneur, and blogger whose support and heartfelt storytelling have guided Brian Collins’s coaching journey.
Brian “Penny” Collins is a respected American basketball coach and former player, most recently known for his role as head coach of the Tennessee State University (TSU) men’s basketball team.
A Nashville native and former standout at Belmont University, Collins led TSU for eight seasons, revitalizing the program with a focus on player development and a family-oriented culture.
He guided the Tigers to multiple winning seasons and a recent semifinal appearance in the Ohio Valley Conference Tournament.
Recently, Collins stepped down from his TSU position to accept a coaching role in the NBA with the Memphis Grizzlies, where he will serve as a player development coach.
Brian Collins’ Wife Is A Full-Time Psychiatric Nurse!
Brian “Penny” Collins is married to Lakeya Collins, a registered nurse by profession and entrepreneur.
She began her nursing career with psychiatric nursing before later returning to school to become a nurse practitioner.
In addition to her clinical work, Lakeya is also an entrepreneur, having founded Robert’s Angels Scrubs & Beyond.
This is a medical apparel brand inspired by her late son, Robert, who tragically passed away in 2016.
She has also been recognized for her compassionate outreach, including organizing scholarships and fundraisers in memory of her son.
Beyond her nursing and business endeavors, Lakeya has been a powerful emotional and logistical pillar in Brian Collins’ coaching journey.
Through her blog Married 2 Basketball, she has shared her experiences as a coach’s wife.
In her posts, she opens up about the emotional and practical challenges of supporting Brian Collins’s coaching journey.
One standout post titled “Am I A Supportive Spouse?!” explores the self-doubt and strength that come with wearing many hats as a wife and mother.
She writes,
I always say if you must ask yourself a question than you usually already know the answer to it. As wives and mothers, we wear many hats…
In another entry, she recalls the early days when Brian would bring home players’ laundry because the team couldn’t afford proper facilities.
Now, regarding the couple’s children, Brian and Lakeya Collins have a son named History.
History was just five years old and preparing to start kindergarten when Brian took the head coaching job at Tennessee State.
In addition to History, Lakeya is also the mother of Robert Ballard, her eldest son from a previous relationship, who tragically passed away in 2016 at the age of 16 due to a drowning accident.
Robert was a promising football player and a beloved student at Greenbrier High School.
Likewise, Lakeya also has a daughter named Alyse and a son, Berycen, from a previous relationship.
While details about them are under wraps, it is known that Alyse was in college at the time of Robert’s passing.
In Case You Didn’t Know
- Brian, a standout guard at Belmont University (2002-2006), led the team to its first NCAA Division I Tournament appearance.
- He led the Tigers to a semifinal appearance in the Ohio Valley Conference Tournament.
- He was honored as a finalist for the prestigious Ben Jobe Award in 2025.
