Keary Colbert leaves comfort zone to reunite with Billy Napier at UF

After a seven-year NFL career, Keary Colbert made the immediate transition from player to coach.

His first year out of the league, he volunteered at Pace Academy in Atlanta before becoming the Georgia State wide receivers coach in 2013. 

After a season there, Colbert accepted a position as an offensive analyst on Nick Saban’s staff at Alabama. He spent two years in Tuscaloosa (2014-15), where he worked under the Crimson Tide’s receivers coach at the time — Billy Napier. 

“It was awesome. I worked directly underneath him and I was his quality control and got to work with him for two years,” Colbert said of coaching with Napier. “So to be in his room and listen to him lead his meetings and present and coach his guys up and just see how he game plans and works his tail off in recruiting and on the field, off the field, everything, I got first-hand experience for two years to really kind of study him and learn from him. And ultimately, those were probably the best of my coaching career just from a growth standpoint and he’s a big part of that.” 

Colbert obviously knew how to play the position already. He was a four-year starter at Southern Cal (2000-03), where he ranks in the top 10 for most career receptions (207) and career receiving yards (2,964) in program history.

Colbert then competed at the highest level for the Carolina Panthers (2004-07), Denver Broncos (2008), Seattle Seahawks (2008), Detroit Lions (2008-09) and Kansas City Chiefs (2011).

At Alabama, however, Colbert had to learn how to apply his experience and knowledge as a coach. Napier helped him hone his craft. 

“The thing about Coach Napier is he’s like the most prepared dude ever,” Colbert said. “So coming from a player’s standpoint, it’s more about on the field, on the grass and all that. But how do you lead a meeting, how do you prepare a meeting? What kind of notes do you offer up to your guys? Do you show video, do you give them pictures? 

“Just little things and little techniques and understanding when to switch things up or change things, that was kind of what I learned the most just being around him. He’s an amazing position coach, he’s an amazing coordinator, he’s an amazing head coach. Just a good coach overall.”

Keary Colbert reunites with Napier

Colbert’s time in Tuscaloosa prepared him to return to his alma mater, where he spent the past six seasons including the last four as a position coach. Colbert said he continued to keep in contact with Napier after they worked together, and their relationship led to a reunion in SEC country this offseason. 

Colbert was looking for a job and Napier needed a receivers coach at Florida. 

“We used to speak in the offseason and we’d text. We would always keep up for sure,” Colbert said. “And then, I was in a unique situation with the staff being let go at USC. And then obviously him getting this opportunity here, it was just perfect timing ultimately for me to come be a part of his staff and I couldn’t be more grateful and thankful to be here. Just grateful and thankful to him for the opportunity.” 

Colbert, who was born and raised in Anderson .Paak’s hometown of Oxnard, Calif., is out of his comfort zone on the West Coast, but said he’s excited about a new chapter in his life and career. Colbert was part of Alabama’s 2015 national championship team and wants to help bring a title to the Gators. 

“I think when you talk about growth in life, sometimes you gotta grow outside of your comfort zone,” Colbert said. “I’m excited about the opportunity and I look forward to being here and bringing championships here to Gainesville. I’m just like everybody else, you want to do everything. You want to pour into these players, pour into this university and try to go win some championships.”

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Colbert has nine players at his position this spring, including a trio of receivers with starting experience in Justin Shorter, Trent Whittemore and Xzavier Henderson. Colbert praised the buy-in and work ethic his group has had in camp thus far.

“I like what we have in the room and we’ll continue to get these guys better with reps and time. I don’t know how many practices this is, but over time they’re going to get better with the system. They’re talented, they’re working their tails off and that’s all we can ask them to be doing,” Colbert said.

“Naturally, with time, the mistakes or the indecisions … guys will be able to play faster in the system the longer they’re in it. It’s new, so they have the right mentality to attack every single day and try to make their plays when they get the opportunity.”