Jeff Collett has served as the Colonels' defensive line coach since joining Centre's staff in 2013. In 2016 Collett began serving as Centre's recruiting coordinator, as well.
Under Collett's leadership, the defensive line has had tremendous success both as a group and individually. Most recently, Collett's D-line helped the Colonels finish second in the SAA in tackles-for-loss per game. Individually, All-SAA selection Zach Berger led Centre and was fourth in the SAA with six sacks on the season, finishing with 24 tackles and eight for loss.
In 2016, Collett helped Ben Bostick finish his career as a two-time All-SAA selection while adding a CoSIDA Academic All-District nod.
In 2014, the defensive line helped the Colonel defense lead the SAA in takeaways and fewest points allowed. The unit helped the defense improve in national defensive rankings in 2014, moving from 106th in rush defense to 47th, only allowing 127 yards per game. Four members of the defensive line received postseason honors for their efforts in the 2014 season. Senior defensive end Devon Freeman was named the SAA Defensive Player of the Year and received First Team All-SAA honors. Along with Freeman, DT Paul Megilligan (First Team), DE Rue Hockensmith (Second Team), and DT Kris Beauchamp (Honorable Mention) were All-SAA selections.
Several Colonel defensive linemen earned postseason recognition in 2013. Defensive tackle Tami Aderoba (First Team), DE Devon Freeman (Second Team), and DT Paul Megilligan (Second Team) were All-SAA honorees.?
A 2010 Centre graduate, Collett earned All-SCAC honors in 2009 as a punter and won Centre's Homer Rice Special Teams Player of the Year Award in 2008 and 2009. While kicking for the Colonels, Collett won the Hammer Award four times, multiple SCAC Special Teams Player of the Week honors and once earned the d3football.com National Special Teams Player of the Week Award.
In 2010 at Centre, he earned his Bachelor of Science degree in Biology and also holds a Master of Arts degree in Teaching from the University of the Cumberlands. Prior to coaching at Centre, Collett spent three years teaching at Woodford County High School in Versailles, Ky., where he coached football and was also the head strength and conditioning coordinator.
Collett is a Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist (CSCS) through the National Strength and Conditioning Association.
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