A former running back in the National Football League, Kolby Smith reunites with head coach Bobby Petrino on the WKU coaching staff, working with running backs. 

Smith starred at Louisville under Petrino from 2003-06, sharing the backfield with current Chicago Bears running back Michael Bush. With Bush’s season ending early in 2006, Smith stepped in to average over five yards per carry as the feature back, scoring seven touchdowns on a team that defeated Wake Forest in the Orange Bowl.

For his career under Petrino, Smith rushed for over 1,800 yards, averaging nearly six yards per carry for his career, scoring 18 touchdowns on the ground. Smith was also a threat catching the ball out of the backfield in Petrino’s offensive system, catching 56 passes for over 500 yards and two touchdowns. 

Smith’s playing career moved on to the NFL level following his time at Louisville, as he was selected in the fifth round of the 2007 NFL Draft by the Kansas City Chiefs. Smith immediately made an impact in his rookie campaign, as he filled the void left by the injured Larry Johnson by rushing for over 400 yards on 112 carries. Smith played in all 16 games in 2007, scoring a pair of touchdowns and earned AFC Offensive Player of the Week honors after rushing for 150 yards on 31 carries against the Raiders.

Smith finished his NFL career in 2010, spending brief periods with the Denver Broncos and the Jacksonville Jaguars. 

Following his professional playing career, Smith moved on to Arkansas to serve as the assistant strength and conditioning coach with the Razorbacks for the 2012 season.