The Apprentice School Interim Director of Athletics Sean Hanrahan has announced the elevation of Courtney Collins to Head Women's Basketball Coach on February 28, 2023.

"Our athletics department knew Coach Collins would step in on short notice as the Interim Head Women's Basketball Coach and move things in a positive direction," said Hanrahan. "Her record as an Apprentice athlete, shipbuilder and assistant coach spoke for itself. I'm not sure, though, that anyone expected the results that the women's basketball program has earned over the last five months. Courtney has left no doubt that she is the leader for this group of apprentices, and I'm excited to see what the future holds now that we have removed the interim tag and elevated her to the head coaching role full time."

Collins led the Builders to the New South Athletic Conference co-Regular Season Championship, putting two players in Jada Bryant and Amaya Ray on the All-Conference Team. With a record of 14-7, the Builders are on the cusp of its first USCAA National Tournament bid since 2018 should Apprentice be announced Sunday afternoon.

Collins is a former Builder, having played for Apprentice from 2010-14. Over her career, she averaged over 13 points per game and shot over 51 percent from the floor. She was a two-time USCAA All-American Honorable Mention.

Collins spent the 2021-22 season as an assistant at CNU, helping guide the Captains to a 26-1 record with the lone loss coming in the Sweet 16 of the NCAA Division III Tournament.

Collins started her coaching career as the head junior varsity and assistant varsity coach at Western Branch High School in Chesapeake, Virginia. After three seasons, she returned to the Newport News Apprentice School to serve as an assistant coach for two years. In May of 2019, Collins took the junior varsity head coaching job at Heritage High School in Newport News and also assisted with the varsity program.