Florida Gators wide receivers coach Keary Colbert is leaving to the NFL Thursday to join the Denver Broncos, it’s being reported by multiple outlets.
Though it hasn’t been confirmed by the university, this will mark the third Florida football assistant to leave in the last couple of days. Defensive coordinator Patrick Toney and tight ends coach William Peagler joined the Arizona Cardinals Wednesday.
Colbert has been with the Gators since January of 2022, where he came from Southern California, where he was from 2016. He also had previous coaching stints with Georgia State and Alabama. Additionally, he had a playing career from 2004 to 2011 in which he had stints with the NFL, UFL and CFL. He played for the Broncos in 2008.
The Denver Broncos are expected to hire Florida’s Keary Colbert as wide receivers coach, sources tell @on3sports.
Colbert, a former NFL wide receiver who spent time with Denver in 2008, worked at USC prior to Florida.https://t.co/DlIXY67ten pic.twitter.com/lWLT9Sku9m
— Matt Zenitz (@mzenitz) February 23, 2023
Colbert as a coach
He is responsible for the commitment of five receivers to the program during his time with Florida. Within those five are three four-stars from the 2023 class: Aidan Mizell, Andy Jean and Eugene Wilson III.
During his time at USC, he coached and developed multiple NFL players. Some examples being 2022 Atlanta Falcons top-10 pick Drake London, Indianapolis Colts wide receiver and former USC All-American Michael Pittman Jr. and Detroit Lions standout Amon-Ra St. Brown, among others.
He has been a person of interest for multiple NFL wide receivers coaching jobs over the past few weeks. In the end, it is Denver that ended up being the destination.
Florida’s plan
The team hired Austin Armstrong from Alabama to replace Patrick Toney. They have yet to make a move on a replacement for Peagler and there are no known plans in place if the reports on Colbert are true.
An option the team will consider is from within. On Twitter, Colbert called graduate assistant wide receivers coach David Doeker “One of the best young coaches that I’ve been around. Definitely a rising star.” He will potentially be at the top of the list for replacements.
One of the best young coaches that I’ve been around. Definitely a rising star. #PLAYMAKERS https://t.co/72tcqPLgKy
— Keary Colbert (@kearycolbert) February 23, 2023
It is now a waiting game for an official announcement on his future and a potential replacement.