A Georgia Tech program that once hit rock bottom is now brimming with hope.
The Yellow Jackets have just completed their first winning season since 2018 and feel poised to aim even higher under coach Brent Key.
Under former coach Geoff Collins, the Yellow Jackets were a source of ridicule, promising much but failing to adequately prepare for major-conference competition.
Those tough times are now in the past. While no one anticipates Georgia Tech to be regular national contenders, this team has demonstrated its ability to compete in the Atlantic Coast Conference.
“We want to face these challenges head-on,” Key stated. “Nothing comes easy, and we don’t want it to.”
As he enters his second full season as head coach, Key has earned recognition for pulling the Yellow Jackets out of the struggles of the Collins era.
His passionate coaching style has fostered a winning mindset among his players, leading to surprising victories against North Carolina and Miami last season.
Georgia Tech recorded a dismal 10-28 record in over three years under Collins, with a 7-19 conference mark. Since Key took over four games into the 2022 season, the Jackets have gone 11-10 overall and 9-6 in the ACC.
Haynes King is back as quarterback after a standout season.
The Texas A&M transfer threw for 2,842 yards and 27 touchdowns while also rushing for 737 yards and adding 10 more scores.
One area for improvement is his pass selection; he was intercepted 16 times. However, the Yellow Jackets’ offense averaged 31.1 points per game, their highest in five years, which softened those concerns.
“He does everything we want,” said offensive coordinator Buster Faulkner. “We’re very confident in him, and we keep adding responsibilities.”
Faulkner was praised for King’s growth, but it wasn’t all him. Running back Jamal Haynes rushed for 1,059 yards and seven touchdowns, averaging 6.1 yards per carry, along with 20 catches for 151 yards. Top receivers Eric Singleton (48 catches, 714 yards, six TDs) and Malik Rutherford (46 catches, 502 yards, four TDs) are also returning.
“He has great players around him and knows how to get them the ball,” Faulkner noted.
While the offense shined, Key was frustrated with the defense, which allowed nearly 30 points per game, ranking 97th nationally. Georgia Tech revamped its defensive staff, hiring Tyler Santucci from Duke as the new coordinator. Under Santucci, the Blue Devils allowed just 19 points per game, leading the ACC and ranking 16th nationally.
“That’s why I was hired,” Santucci stated. “Stop offenses, create turnovers, and get the ball back to our offense.”
Georgia Tech faces a challenging schedule, starting with an Aug. 24 opener against No. 10 Florida State in Dublin, Ireland.
“This is a great opportunity for Georgia Tech to showcase itself on a global stage,” Key remarked.
The Yellow Jackets will also host No. 7 Notre Dame on Oct. 19 at Mercedes-Benz Stadium and finish the regular season against top-ranked Georgia on Nov. 29. They’ll also face No. 19 Miami (Nov. 9) and No. 24 N.C. State (Nov. 21) at home, plus a tough road match against Louisville on Sept. 21.
It’s a schedule that could challenge Key’s team to improve on last year’s 7-6 record, even with their positive momentum.
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