The Kentucky Wildcats are turning to a familiar name to bolster their coaching staff, and this time, the addition comes from right within the SEC. Kolby Smith, who most recently coached running backs at Arkansas, is set to take over the same role in Lexington.
Smith’s name might ring a bell for fans in the Bluegrass State - though perhaps not in Kentucky blue. From 2003 to 2006, he was a standout running back for the Louisville Cardinals, racking up 1,863 rushing yards and 18 touchdowns during his college career.
He also proved to be a reliable pass-catcher out of the backfield, hauling in 56 receptions for 581 yards and two more scores. His all-around skill set made him a key contributor on some strong Louisville teams during that era.
After college, Smith made the leap to the NFL, where he played from 2007 to 2010 with the Kansas City Chiefs, Denver Broncos, and Jacksonville Jaguars. While his pro career didn’t reach star status, it laid the foundation for what’s become a steadily rising path in coaching.
That journey began in 2012, when Smith returned to Arkansas - where he’d later coach again - as a graduate assistant. His first full-time position came under Bobby Petrino at Western Kentucky, where he served as running backs coach. When Petrino returned to Louisville, Smith followed, holding the same role with the Cardinals from 2014 to 2018.
In 2019, he moved north to Rutgers, continuing to build his resume as a position coach. Then came a significant step: a move to the NFL coaching ranks.
Smith joined the Miami Dolphins in 2020 as an offensive quality control coach and was later promoted to offensive assistant, where he worked through the 2023 season. That experience in the pros added another layer to his coaching toolbox, particularly in terms of offensive scheme development and player preparation at the highest level.
Smith returned to the college game in 2023, taking over as running backs coach at Arkansas. He held that role for two seasons before now making the move to Kentucky.
For the Wildcats, this is more than just a staff addition - it’s a hire that brings SEC familiarity, NFL experience, and a deep well of knowledge when it comes to developing running backs. Smith’s track record shows he knows how to coach the position from multiple angles - from power backs to pass-catching threats - and he’s worked under a variety of offensive minds at both the college and pro levels.
At 41, Smith is still a relatively young coach, but one with a decade-plus of experience under his belt. Kentucky is betting on that blend of youth, experience, and versatility to help elevate its ground game moving forward. And for Smith, it’s a return to the Commonwealth - this time on the other side of the rivalry - with a chance to make a real impact in the SEC.