Kolby Smith

Biography

Former NFL running back Kolby Smith is in his first season at Kentucky as the running backs coach. Smith comes to the Bluegrass after two seasons as the running backs coach at Arkansas. In 2025, under Smith's tutelage, senior running back Mike Washington Jr. earned All-SEC Second Team honors after rushing 167 times for 1,070 yards and eight touchdowns. The Razorbacks produced one of the best offenses in the nation and in school history in Smith's first season in 2024, ranking 10th nationally in total offense. Prior to Arkansas, Smith served four seasons (2020-23) on the staff of the Miami Dolphins, working with the team's running backs. Before his jump to the professional ranks, Smith spent seven seasons as a college assistant at Rutgers, Louisville and Western Kentucky. As a player at Louisville, Smith helped the Cardinals to a 12-1 record in 2006 and was selected in the fifth round of the 2007 NFL Draft by the Kansas City Chiefs. He graduated from Louisville in May 2007 with a degree in sports administration.