Entering his sixth year at EMU is Jeff Collett, who came to Ypsilanti after spending six seasons at the Centre College. Collectt previous served up until 2022 as the Director of Recruiting Operations and Player Personnel.
Collett served as the Colonels’ defensive line coach after joining Centre’s staff in 2013. In 2016, he added recruiting coordinator responsibilities.
Under Collett’s leadership, the defensive line had tremendous success both as a group and individually. In 2018, the Colonels finished 10-2 with an appearance in the “Sweet 16” of the Division III playoffs after winning the South Athletic Association (SAA) championship with a 7-1 mark. The squad finished the year at No. 14 in the D3football.com Top 25 and No. 15 in the American Football Coaches Association (AFCA) Top 25 Poll.
During the 2017 campaign, 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 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.
Collett earned his bachelor of science degree in Biology from Centre in 2010 and also holds a master of arts degree in teaching from the University of the Cumberlands in 2012. 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.
| The Jeff Collett File |
| Name: |
Jeffrey Allen Collett |
|
| High School: |
Paintsville H.S. - Paintsville, Ky. |
|
| College: |
Centre College - Bachelor’s degree in biology - 2010 |
|
|
University of the Cumberlands - Master's degree in teaching - 2012 |
|
| Coaching Experience |
| Year |
School |
Position |
| 2022-Pres. |
Eastern Michigan University |
Associate AD for Football Operations/Chief of Staff |
| 2019-Pres. |
Eastern Michigan University |
Director of Recruiting Operations and Player Personnel |
| 2013-19 |
Centre College |
Assistant Coach - Defensive Line/Recruiting Coordinator |
| 2010-13 |
Woodford County H.S. |
Teacher/Football Coach |
