The Kentucky Wildcats are bringing in a familiar face to bolster their offensive staff - and he’s someone who knows the grind of SEC football, the NFL, and what it takes to get the most out of a running back room.
Kolby Smith, a former NFL back with deep ties to college football in the Bluegrass State, has officially been named Kentucky’s new running backs coach under offensive coordinator Will Stein. The move adds both experience and continuity to a Wildcats coaching staff that’s clearly focused on building a physical, dynamic run game.
“I’m fired up to have Kolby Smith on our staff,” Stein said in a statement. “He’s an outstanding teacher and recruiter with a proven track record of developing productive running backs. Kolby brings great energy, attention to detail, and a player-first approach, and he understands what it takes to build a physical, versatile run game.”
Smith’s football journey is one that Kentucky fans - especially those who followed in-state rivalries - will remember well. As a player, he made his name at Louisville, where he was a change-of-pace back behind Michael Bush.
But when Bush went down with a season-ending injury against Kentucky in 2006, Smith stepped into the spotlight. He didn’t just hold the fort - he helped lead the Cardinals all the way to an Orange Bowl win, finishing his college career with 1,863 rushing yards and 18 touchdowns.
That performance launched him into a four-year NFL career, most notably with the Kansas City Chiefs, where he started nine games. But it’s what he’s done since hanging up the cleats that makes this hire particularly intriguing for Kentucky fans.
Smith’s coaching resume is both deep and diverse. He broke into the coaching ranks under Bobby Petrino at Western Kentucky in 2013, then returned to Louisville, where he coached running backs from 2014 to 2018 - a stretch that included multiple bowl appearances and the development of several productive backs. That’s also where he first worked with Will Stein, establishing a coaching connection that’s now come full circle in Lexington.
After a one-year stop at Rutgers in 2019, Smith made the jump to the NFL, spending four seasons with the Miami Dolphins in various offensive roles. Most recently, he spent the last two years coaching running backs at Arkansas, where he helped guide the Razorbacks to a Liberty Bowl appearance in 2024.
Now, he’s back in Kentucky, this time wearing blue.
“I’m excited to have the opportunity to work with Will again,” Smith said. “We worked together at Louisville, and he has one of the most creative minds I’ve ever been around.
He’s just an offensive ball coach who loves to score points, and so do I. I’m grateful for the chance to be part of what he’s building at Kentucky and can’t wait to get to work.”
Smith’s return to the SEC - and to the Commonwealth - comes at a pivotal time for Kentucky football. With Will Stein leading the offense and Joe Sloan coordinating from the booth, the Wildcats are clearly investing in a staff that blends creativity with physicality. Smith’s ability to develop backs and recruit talent will be key as Kentucky looks to re-establish itself as a force in the run game, especially in a conference where ground-and-pound still wins games in November.
Here’s a look at Smith’s coaching journey:
Kolby Smith Coaching Resume
- 2024-25: Running Backs, Arkansas (Liberty Bowl)
- 2022-23: Offensive Assistant, Miami Dolphins (NFL Wild Card Playoffs)
- 2020-21: Offensive Quality Control, Miami Dolphins
- 2019: Running Backs, Rutgers
- 2014-18: Running Backs, Louisville (Belk Bowl, Music City Bowl, Citrus Bowl, TaxSlayer Bowl)
- 2013: Running Backs, Western Kentucky
And here’s the current makeup of Kentucky’s 2026 football coaching staff - a group that’s shaping up to be one of the more intriguing units in the SEC:
Kentucky Football Coaching Staff (2026)
- Joe Sloan: Offensive Coordinator
- Jay Bateman: Defensive Coordinator
- Cutter Leftwich: Offensive Line
- Kolby Smith: Running Backs
- Joe Price III: Wide Receivers
- Josh Christian-Young: Safeties
- Anwar Stewart: Defensive Line
- Tony Washington Jr: Pass Rushers
- Allen Brown: Cornerbacks
- Parker Fleming: Special Teams, Inside Receivers
- Justin Burke: Passing Game, Tight Ends (Unconfirmed)
- Derek Warehime: Run Game
- Ty Holder: Cornerbacks
- Chad Wilt: Linebackers
- Trey Odom: Safeties
- James Gibson: Nickels
- Jack Ray: Special Teams (Unconfirmed)
With Smith on board, Kentucky adds another coach who not only understands the X’s and O’s but also brings a player-first mentality and a proven ability to connect with young athletes. That’s the kind of presence that can elevate a position group - and in the SEC, where every yard matters, that could be the difference between good and great.