Greg Colby arrived at Millersville in 2008 and took over a program undergoing a major rebuilding process. In his four seasons at the helm, he has drastically improved the talent level and team's depth, building toward success.
Colby's team has shown improvement each season. The defense improved for the fourth year in a row in 2011 and saw promise on offense with young players like running back Marquis White. The 2010 team started quickly with wins in two of the first three games. Boasting a prolific passing attack, wide receiver Jamal Smith set school records and became Millersville's first All-American since 2000.
His second season showed a Millersville program on the rise as the Marauders won their opener at Assumption in the final minute and later in the season earned a gutsy, triple overtime victory over Kutztown. His 2009 team boasted just seven seniors, but the defense dropped its yards allowed by 40 yards per game. Four Marauders were named All-PSAC East at season's end.
The 2008 roster included 75 freshmen and sophomores, but despite the youth, the team flourished on offense as the season progressed. Quarterback Bill Shirk started the final eight games of the year and threw for over 200 yards five times. Running back Cardoza Jacks emerged over the last five games as well, rushing for over 100 yards four times, including 274 against Cheyney on a school record 44 carries.
Colby has coached for 34 years, including 27 years as a collegiate coach and 10 years as a defensive coordinator at the NCAA Division I level. He has been on staff for two Big Ten Championships and 12 collegiate bowl games. In his nine years as a high school football coach, Colby won a pair of state championships.
Colby has recruited in most of the country during his time as a coach with an emphasis on the Midwest, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Virginia, Georgia, Florida, Texas and Canada.
Colby came to Millersville after spending six years as defensive coordinator at Northwestern University. During his time there, the Wildcats posted three consecutive six-win seasons for the first time in 70 years and four out of five six-win seasons for the first time since 1905. Northwestern appeared in the Motor City Bowl in 2003 and the Vitalis Sun Bowl in 2005.
During Colby's tenure, Northwestern won the American Football Coaches Association award for highest graduation rate four times. The Wildcats ranked second during the other two years Colby was there.
Prior to his time at Northwestern, Colby spent four seasons as the defensive coordinator at Kent State University. In 2001, Colby's defense ranked third in the Mid-American Conference and helped the Golden Flashes to its first winning season in 15 years.
From 1995-97, Colby served as an assistant coach at Michigan State under head coach Nick Saban. Colby mentored the defensive line, outside linebackers and was co-special teams coordinator. The Spartans appeared in three bowl games (Independence Bowl – 1995, Sun Bowl – 1996 and Aloha Bowl – 1997) with Colby on staff.
From 1988-95, Colby was assistant coach for outside linebackers and special teams at Illinois. Colby helped the Fighting Illini to a Big Ten Championship in 1989 and six bowl appearances in seven years.
Colby served as a graduate assistant coach at Michigan State from 1986-88. He worked with the defensive line and helped the Spartans win a Big Ten Championship in 1987 and the Rose Bowl in 1988.
From 1982-1986, Colby was head coach at Naperville Central High School in Illinois and led the team to a 24-13 record and a conference championship in 1983.
From 1979-82, Colby coached the Schlarman High School football team to a pair of Illinois Class 2-A championships (13-0 in 1980 and 12-1 in 1981). He also served as athletic director of the school from 1981-82.
Colby played football and baseball at the University of Illinois . He was a three-year starter for the Fighting Illini football team and a three-year starter for the baseball team. Colby was team captain of the baseball squad in 1974.
Prior to a year of playing amateur and semi-pro baseball, Colby graduated from Danville High School in 1970. He was an all-state team captain for the football and baseball teams during his senior year. He also lettered in basketball.
Colby lives with his wife Janet. The couple has two sons, Matt and Mike.
