LORMAN (AP) — In the spring, the Alcorn State football program was in disarray.

The team went through national signing day in February without a head coach. Earnest Collins was given that job and a one-year contract in March. Athletic director Darren Hamilton resigned in May, and Brenda Square was named to replace him, on an interim basis, days later. And a lawsuit filed by former coach Ernest Jones loomed.

Fast forward to Saturday. Although they have had a losing season (2-6, 2-4 Southwestern Athletic Conference), the Braves can secure their first berth in the SWAC Championship Game with a win over Jackson State (3-6, 3-3) in the Capital City Classic.

Even if it wins, Alcorn would need for Mississippi Valley State to beat Alabama A&M for the Braves to earn a trip to Birmingham for the title game. But just the fact that Alcorn is in this position, with a first-year head coach and a team predicted to finish last in the division, has been a pleasant surprise for Braves fans.

But questions remain:

Has Collins done enough to keep his job for 2010? Will beating Jackson State be what it takes?

Square, the interim AD, says she is a fan of the coach but won’t answer the questions.

‘‘I always believed in this coach, and I believe in his system and the way the young people respond to him,’’ Square said. ‘‘I’m not surprised we’re in this position. … That’s why he’s there.

‘‘We haven’t discussed anything (about a future contract). It’s like all the rest of my coaches, at the end of the season we do an evaluation.’’

Collins, 38, said he’s not worried about his future.

He is grateful for the position and said he doesn’t even think about the contract.

‘‘For me, I can’t control it, so I don’t worry about it,’’ Collins said. ‘‘The Lord blessed me with this opportunity. He’ll bless me with an extension or if He sees fit for me to do something else somewhere else, that’s what’s going to happen.

‘‘I try to base my life not to worry about things I can’t control. This is one of those situations where it’s strictly up to the administration. I’m going to do my part.’’

While some fans might be happy the Braves are still in contention for the SWAC East title, Collins isn’t ready to throw a party for a 2-6 team. Not yet, anyway.

He’s proud the players have stayed out of trouble and done well in the classroom, but Alcorn has won just two games with one regular season game remaining, which isn’t much improvement on the last several seasons.

Last year under Jones, Alcorn had the SWAC’s worst record: 2-10. Johnny Thomas, who was fired after 10 years as the coach, posted a 2-8 mark in his final season, 2007.

‘‘For me, this is my 29th year being associated with football and this is only my fifth year with a losing record,’’ Collins said. ‘‘To be 2-6, that’s not success to me — on the field.’’

But there has been some progress. The Braves are 2-1 against Eastern Division opponents — including a 34-16 victory over Alabama A&M, the team that now leads the division.

‘‘Once you get the mindset changed in the kid being on the football field, that’s when the success starts to come in victories,’’ Collins said. ‘‘We’re still waiting on that. I’m thankful, but there’s a lot more to come.’’

One player who has grown close to Collins is quarterback Tim Buckley, a senior from Madison Central who has seen good times and bad at Alcorn.

Buckley was the team’s punter as a freshman in 2006, when Alcorn posted its last winning record, 6-5.

Buckley said he’s disappointed the Braves don’t have a better record during his senior season but he isn’t surprised by Collins’ impact.

‘‘When Coach Collins was defensive coordinator last year I saw head coach potential in him because of the way he carried himself and how his demeanor was towards his players,’’ Buckley said. ‘‘He always really cared about what was going on. There’s no doubt I believe in Coach Collins and believe in what he’s trying to do and what he’s going to do.

‘‘I expect Coach Collins to be here a lot longer than one year.’’

Although Alcorn officials won’t talk about it, whether Collins sticks around could come down to what happens on Saturday.

JSU won the last two games in the series but hasn’t won three in a row since winning eight straight between 1995 and 2002.