HAMILTON – A veteran coach with more than two decades of experience leading running backs, Omar King has been named an assistant coach for running backs at Colgate, announced Monday by Fred '50 and Marilyn Dunlap Head Football Coach Curt Fitzpatrick.

King most recently served as an offensive coordinator and running backs coach at SUNY Maritime, where he helped lead the team to an 8-3 record and a Fusion Bowl victory in 2024. SUNY Maritime racked up nearly 1,500 rushing yards and averaged 28.1 points per game. 

Prior to Maritime, King spent eight years as the running backs coach for Stony Brook from 2015-2023. He helped lead Stony Brook to back-to-back FCS Playoff appearances (2017, 2018) and coached two running backs who garnered All-CAA First Team honors. In 2018, he guided the Seawolves to the top of the CAA in rushing with 200 yards per game. 

"Our running back group is in great hands with Coach King," Fitzpatrick said. "Omar has a proven track record of developing elite players at the running back position. In addition, throughout the search process it was clearly evident to me Coach King will be a strong mentor and motivator to players throughout our entire program. We are excited to welcome Coach King to the Colgate family!"  

Before coming to Stony Brook, King spent the 2013 season as the wide receivers coach at the University of Rhode Island, a member of the CAA. 

Prior to Rhode Island King was the running backs coach at Division II powerhouse LIU Post from 2007- 2012. He helped implement a fast-paced, no-huddle offense that, in 2009, was ranked Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference's top-ranked rushing offense. 

"My family and I are very blessed and thankful for such a great opportunity to come to Colgate and be a part of a first-class elite academic institution," King said. "I'm very thankful to work with a proven winner in Coach Fitzpatrick and the wonderful group of coaches he has assembled. I'm excited to be a part of this wonderful and welcoming community, and bring Patriot League championships back to Hamilton."

During his time at LIU Post, the Pioneers went from the bottom of the conference in 2008 to co-champions in 2011. In addition to coaching the running backs, he also was the team's video and academic coordinator. Before joining the staff at LIU Post, King was the running backs coach and special teams coordinator at Iona College from 2002-07.
     
King began his coaching career and spent three seasons at his alma mater Holy Cross H.S. in Flushing, N.Y. At Holy Cross he served as both running backs coach and offensive coordinator.

King graduated from Hofstra, where he spent the last two years of his collegiate career as a running back and graduated in 2007 with a Bachelor of Arts in Speech Communication.