Georgia Tech head coach Brent Key enters the offseason with major decisions ahead as he works to build on the progress the Yellow Jackets made this past season. While former Ohio State offensive coordinator Chip Kelly was briefly linked to Georgia Tech’s open offensive coordinator position, the bigger story is what comes next for Key and his program.
Kelly interviewing for the role showed that Georgia Tech is aiming high, but his decision to accept the offensive coordinator job at Northwestern now puts the spotlight back on Key. With the transfer portal opening soon and several assistant coaches already gone, the timing of Key’s next hire will be critical.
Georgia Tech is searching for a new offensive coordinator after Buster Faulkner left for Florida. He is not the only coach who moved on. Running backs coach Norval McKenzie is now at Virginia Tech, and Geep Wade has taken a position at Nebraska. Replacing multiple staff members at once is never easy, especially when roster decisions are happening at the same time.
Key has made it clear that he believes the program is moving in the right direction. After the season-ending loss to BYU, he spoke about the need to continue building the roster, the staff, and the team’s identity. While wins and losses matter, Key emphasized that long-term success comes from having the right people and shared belief within the program.
One of Key’s biggest challenges this offseason will be the quarterback position. With Aaron Philo entering the transfer portal, Georgia Tech no longer has a clear successor to Haynes King. Rising third-year quarterback Graham Knowles is expected to compete for the job, but the Yellow Jackets will likely look to the transfer portal to add another option. Finding the right quarterback will be a key part of keeping the offense competitive next season.
Improving the roster overall is also a major focus. While Georgia Tech showed growth this season, there is still room to get better, especially on defense. Key will need to balance bringing in transfers with developing younger players already on the roster.
The search for an offensive coordinator is only one piece of a much larger offseason plan. Brent Key has shown he can lead Georgia Tech forward, but this offseason will test his ability to hire the right coaches, find the right players, and keep the program moving upward. How he handles the next few months could shape the future of Georgia Tech football.
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