Colin Cotter is entering his fourth season as the head men’s basketball coach at Thomas University. Since taking over the program, Cotter has guided the team to the school’s first-ever NAIA national tournament appearance. He holds an overall record of 47–40 (.540) at Thomas.
During the 2022–23 season, Cotter led Thomas to its best campaign in program history, finishing 18–9 overall and second in the Sun Conference. The Night Hawks advanced to the conference semifinals and earned an at-large berth to the NAIA National Tournament, where they fell in overtime to LSU Shreveport. That season produced multiple all-conference players, including NAIA All-American and First Team All-Sun Conference guard Jordan Booker, First Team All-Sun Conference forward Mohammed Abubakar, Second Team All-Sun Conference guard Tim Williamson, and Second Team All-Sun Conference guard Jarvis Brown.
In 2023–24, Cotter guided Thomas through its first year in the Southern States Athletic Conference, securing a tournament win over Faulkner and coaching All-Freshman Team selections Josh Robertson and Tyson Anderson. That season also saw veteran guard Jarvis Brown earn Second Team All-SSAC honors.
The following season, 2024–25, the Night Hawks posted a 17–13 record and advanced to the SSAC Tournament quarterfinals. Night Hawks guard Jailin Lee earned Second Team All-SSAC honors.
Before taking the reins at Thomas, Cotter built his coaching résumé across the NAIA, NJCAA and NCAA levels. He served as associate head coach and recruiting coordinator at Reinhardt University and Andrew College, helping both programs achieve conference success. He also gained experience at Clark Atlanta University as a volunteer assistant.
Cotter came to the Night Hawks after two seasons as the Associate Head Coach/Recruiting Coordinator at Reinhardt University, where he helped lead the Eagles to a combined 39-19 record. With Cotter, the Eagles finished in the top two in the Appalachian Athletic Conference for the 2020-2021 and the 2021-22 seasons.
Previous to Reinhardt, Cotter was the head assistant men's basketball coach at Andrew (Ga.). With his former teammate, Jamison Williams, Cotter led the Tigers to a 21-10 season – with a conference semifinal appearance – falling just short to eventual conference champion Central Georgia Technical College. In his brief time at Andrew, Cotter helped eight sophomores pursue their basketball careers at a variety of four-year universities, including NCAA Division I.
Prior to Andrew, Cotter coached one season at Clark-Atlanta under George Lynch and Melvin Scott. Together, they led the Panthers to a 2019 SIAC semifinal appearance.
A Lawrenceville, Georgia native, he was a three-sport varsity athlete at Brookwood High School, where he excelled in football, basketball, and baseball.As a player, Cotter spent two years at South Georgia State College (SGSC) in Waycross, Ga., guiding SGSC to a conference championship in 2014-15, before transferring to Valdosta State for one season. Cotter finished his college career playing one year at NCAA DII North Georgia.
Cotter earned his Associate of Arts degree from South Georgia State College, a Bachelor of Interdisciplinary Studies from Valdosta State University, and a Master of Science in Sport Administration and Leadership.
Cotter resides in Thomasville, Ga.
