ATLANTA — Georgia State's women's track and field program has added four new assistant coaches, head coach Charnay Ryland announced Wednesday morning.
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Ryland welcomes Lamont Life (sprints and hurdles), Victoria Gonzales (cross country/distance), Dr. Colleena Collins (throws), and James Atwater (hurdles) to the Panthers' coaching staff.

"I am excited to officially welcome our new coaching staff to Georgia State Track & Field!" head coach Charnay Ryland said. "Each of them brings unique expertise, passion, and commitment to our student-athletes. Together, we are building a culture of excellence, discipline, and Panther Pride. The future is bright — and it starts now. "
 
Lamont Life- Sprints and Hurdles
Lamont Life joins Georgia State from the University of Tampa, where he served as Sprints & Hurdles Coach. With over a decade of coaching experience, he holds USATF Level 1 and Level 2 (Jumps) certifications as well as a USTFCCCA Master Endorsement in the Long Sprints.

At Tampa, Life guided the men's team to six school records and a runner-up finish at the inaugural SSC Championship, while the women's team captured the SSC title with sprinters and hurdlers contributing over half the team's points. His efforts earned him the DII South Region Men's Assistant Coach of the Year after his athletes posted 77 all-time performances in one season.

Before Tampa, Life spent three seasons with Jacksonville University, helping the men's cross-country team to its best year in program history while also coaching multiple indoor and outdoor conference champions, NCAA qualifiers, and a two-time All-American. He also assisted in developing an athlete who qualified for the 2021 U.S. Olympic Trials in the triple jump.

From 2015–2019, Life produced dozens of medalists at the youth level, including AAU Junior Olympic qualifiers and city championship teams. A Jacksonville native, he was a multi-sport athlete at Terry Parker High School before serving 21 years in the U.S. Navy, retiring as a Chief Petty Officer. He later earned his B.S. in Computer Studies from the University of Maryland Global Campus.

Life and his wife, Valencia, have four children—Kayla, Jazmyne, JJ, and Ari—and one grandchild, Mbur.
 
Victoria Gonzales- Cross Country/Distance
Victoria Gonzales joins Georgia State from the University of Central Oklahoma, where she served as assistant coach for cross country and track & field. In her first season, she guided the team to appearances at the MIAA Championships and NCAA Central Region Championships, while helping athletes set seven new school records.
Prior to UCO, Gonzales rebuilt Barton Community College's cross country program, leading the men to their first top-10 Region VI finish in six years and a top-30 national placing. On the track, her athletes produced a regional champion, multiple podium finishes, and team titles at both the Region VI Indoor and Outdoor Championships.
She also spent four years at Texas A&M–Corpus Christi, where she helped transform the Islanders into one of the Southland Conference's top distance programs. Her tenure included a conference championship, four individual champions, 23 podium finishes, 40 top-10 performances, and numerous school records.
Gonzales began her career at Satsuma High School (Ala.), where she coached both boys' and girls' cross country teams to state championship berths, including the first-ever appearance for the girls' program.
 
Dr. Colleena Collins- Throws
Dr. Colleena Collins joined Georgia State University in 2025 as the assistant coach for throws, bringing a results-driven approach and unmatched work ethic to the Panthers' program. Known for her relentless commitment to excellence and her sharp eye for detail, Collins is dedicated to pushing athletes beyond their limits and developing champions on and off the field.
 
Before coming to Georgia State, Collins excelled as a Professor of Exercise Science and owner of a sports performance and rehabilitation company, where she transformed athletes into consistent title contenders and elevated individual performance to new heights. Since 2020, Collins leadership produced over 24 state champions, 21 All-Americans, and multiple U20 medalists and participants, all while fostering a culture of discipline and accountability.
 
A former standout athlete herself, Collins competed at a high level in the hammer throw, earning multiple conference champion and runner-up titles. She holds a Doctorate in Chiropractic Medicine with an emphasis in Sports Rehabilitation, as well as Master's degrees in both Exercise Science and Sports Management. She continues to maintain advanced education, certifications, and experience in areas spanning adaptive and able-bodied athlete development, strength and conditioning, and applied sports science, reflecting her commitment to professional growth and elite-level coaching.
 
At Georgia State, Collins sets the bar high, prioritizing technical mastery, mental toughness, and team unity. Her approach is straightforward: work hard, hold yourself accountable, and demand excellence every day. Her athletes respond to her passion and intensity, thriving in an environment where only the best is acceptable.
 
A Louisiana native, Collins is married to Coach Robert Brown III, assistant throws coach at the University of West Georgia.
 
James Atwater- Hurdles
James Atwater is a dedicated track and field coach with a strong background as both a collegiate-level hurdler and a proven developer of elite athletes. As the founder of Hurdle Nation Summer Training, he has specialized in sprint and hurdle development for youth, high school, and collegiate athletes, focusing on speed, technique, and competition readiness.

Coach Atwater has served as a consultant for Lane College and McPherson College, where he designed and implemented training programs that elevated athletes' technical skills and competitive performance. He also contributed to recruiting strategies and athlete development initiatives, helping programs build stronger rosters and prepare athletes for championship-level success. In addition, he worked as an assistant coach with Quick Track Club, supporting sprinters and hurdlers with conditioning, race strategy, and technique refinement.

His coaching impact is evident through the success of athletes he has mentored. Notably, Jahelle Cato earned multiple podium finishes at the SWAC Outdoor Track Championships, while Olivia Whatley became a school record holder, multi-time national qualifier, and conference champion in both the 100m and 400m hurdles.

Passionate about athlete development, Coach Atwater brings expertise in hurdle and sprint training, strength and conditioning, competition preparation, and talent identification. His mission is to help athletes reach their fullest potential, achieve personal bests, and compete at the highest levels of the sport.