Colzie III named new SMU Huskies Head Coach

Source: Saint Mary’s Huskies Sports Information

James Colzie III has been named the new head coach of the Saint Mary’s Huskies football program, bringing with him many years of experience in different levels of the sport. As a collegiate player and coach, Colzie has been a part of two national championships, six conference titles, and 12 bowl games.

“It is my pleasure to welcome Coach Colzie to Saint Mary’s,” said Kevin Downie, Director of Athletics and Recreation at Saint Mary’s. “I’m very excited for the future of the Huskies football program with Coach Colzie leading it.”

Colzie comes to Saint Mary’s from the University of British Columbia where he spent last season as the defensive coordinator and defensive backs coach. He also held the positions of defensive coordinator, special teams coordinator and defensive backs coach at Simon Fraser University in 2013-14.

A wealth of experience

Colzie began his coaching career at Florida International University as the cornerbacks coach and assistant special teams coach from 2000-03. He was then Florida State’s defensive graduate assistant and cornerbacks coach in 2004-06. He held the position of special teams/defensive backs coach with Valdosta State University in 2007-08 and helped lead them to a national championship. From 2008-12 he was assistant head coach, defensive coordinator/defensive backs coach and special teams coordinator with the University of West Georgia. He was recruiting coordinator, special teams coordinator/defensive backs coach and kinesiology instructor with Southern Arkansas University in 2012-13 and defensive coordinator/defensive backs coach and special team coordinator with Coffeyville Community College in 2014-15.

“I am excited and honoured to be chosen to lead the Saint Mary’s football program,” said Colzie. “There is a longstanding tradition of excellence both on and off the field at Saint Mary’s and I look forward to continuing that tradition and bringing Huskies football back to prominence in the CIS.”

Colzie’s playing career began at Florida State University where he played under legendary coach Bobby Bowden for four seasons and won a National Championship in 1993. He was a starting corner at FSU in 1996 and 1997.

Colzie has a wealth of recruiting experience and has also developed a number of players for the NFL and CFL, including Patrick Robinson and Antonio Cromartie, who were both drafted by the NFL in the first round, and three defensive players chosen in the 2014 CFL draft from Simon Fraser University: Casey Chin (3rd Round – BC Lions), Derek Jones (4th Round – Winnipeg Blue Bombers), and Dylan Roper (6th Round – BC Lions). He’s also developed a number of prominent players in the CFL, including: Maurice Leggett (Winnipeg Blue Bombers), Pat Watkins (Edmonton Eskimos), and Don Unamba (Saskatchewan Rough Riders).

“Coach Colzie’s vast experience in football as a player and a coach and his experience as a recruiter, make him the right fit to lead the Huskies football program,” said Downie.

Meet the Coach

A reception for the Saint Mary’s community and general public to welcome and meet Coach Colzie will be held at the Homburg Centre for Health & Wellness on Tuesday, February 23, 2016 at 11:30 a.m.