ATLANTA -- Twenty years ago, the idea began to take root in Geoff Collins' mind.
He'd look around at the city of Atlanta, the campus of Georgia Tech and the recruiting territory within its grasp, and imagine the possibilities. Unfazed by the reality of being a 28-year-old former Division II linebacker-turned-grad assistant, he would work under coach George O'Leary by day, study for a secondary degree in psychology at night and dream of what he would do if eventually he were the one in charge.
He grew up a determined sort in nearby Conyers, unafraid to think outside the box.