The New Era: 10 Key Coaches Shaping The Georgia Tech Football Staff For The 2024 Season
The Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets football program is entering the 2024 season with a palpable sense of momentum, driven by a series of high-impact coaching staff changes under Head Coach Brent Key. The roster of on-field leaders has been significantly reshaped, bringing in fresh perspectives and proven talent at critical positions, most notably on the defensive side of the ball. As of December 19, 2025, the focus is squarely on integrating these new coaches and building on the success of the previous season to compete for the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) title.
The 2024 coaching staff reflects Brent Key's vision for a program built on toughness, recruiting prowess, and a commitment to Atlanta's deep football roots. Fans are eager to see how the new coordinator hires and position coaches will elevate the team's performance, especially as the Yellow Jackets aim for a New Year's Six bowl appearance and sustained relevance in the college football landscape.
Head Coach Brent Key and the 2024 Leadership Core: A Full Staff Profile
The foundation of the Yellow Jackets' 2024 campaign is the leadership provided by Head Coach Brent Key, an alumnus who has successfully revitalized the program's culture. His staff features a mix of experienced veterans and rising stars, all committed to the "Wreck" brand of football. The following is a detailed look at the core staff, including their background and role for the 2024 season.
Brent Key: Head Coach Biography and Profile
- Full Name: Donald Brent Key
- Born: August 1, 1978
- Hometown: Birmingham, Alabama
- Alma Mater: Georgia Tech (B.S. in Management, 2001)
- Playing Career: Four-year starter at right guard for Georgia Tech (1997-2000). He was an All-ACC performer and team captain as a senior under coach George O'Leary.
- Coaching History: Key has held major assistant roles at Alabama, UCF, and his alma mater. He was the offensive line coach at Alabama from 2016-2018, contributing to multiple national championships. He took over as Head Coach for Georgia Tech midway through the 2022 season, guiding the team to a significant turnaround.
- Georgia Tech Record: Key has quickly established a winning record, culminating in a successful 2024 season that saw the team exceed national expectations.
The On-Field Coaching Staff for 2024
The following list details the key on-field assistant coaches for the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets in the 2024 season. This core group is responsible for player development and game-day strategy at The Flats.
- Head Coach: Brent Key
- Defensive Coordinator: Blake Gideon (New Hire)
- Assistant Head Coach / Co-Offensive Coordinator / Quarterbacks: Chris Weinke
- Running Backs / Run Game Coordinator: Norval McKenzie
- Offensive Line Coach: Allen Mogridge (Re-Hired)
- Wide Receivers Coach: Trent McKnight (New Hire)
- Defensive Line Coach: Kyle Pope (New Hire, reuniting with Key from Alabama)
- Linebackers Coach: Kevin Sherrer (Title to be confirmed, but a key defensive mind)
- Special Teams Coordinator: (Position to be confirmed)
- Tight Ends Coach: (Position to be confirmed, following Buster Faulkner's departure)
The Defensive Overhaul: Why Blake Gideon is the Key Hire
The most significant and exciting change for the 2024 season is the hiring of new Defensive Coordinator Blake Gideon. This move signals a clear intent from Brent Key to solidify the defense, which is crucial for competing against high-powered ACC offenses. Gideon replaces Tyler Santucci, who departed for a role with the NFL's New England Patriots.
A History of Defensive Excellence
Gideon arrives at Georgia Tech after a successful tenure at the University of Texas, where he served as the safeties coach. His background is deeply rooted in developing elite defensive backs and coordinating complex defensive schemes.
- Texas Ties: While at Texas, Gideon was integral to developing one of the nation's top defenses, a unit known for its aggressive play and ball-hawking secondary.
- Position Coach of the Year: He is a two-time national position coach of the year, a testament to his ability to recruit and develop top-tier talent.
- Philosophy: The expectation is that Gideon will implement a fast, physical, and aggressive defensive philosophy that emphasizes creating turnovers and applying relentless pressure. This style of play is exactly what the Yellow Jackets need to make a jump in the ACC standings.
The transition to Gideon's system is a major storyline for the 2024 season. His success in the Big 12 is expected to translate well to the challenges presented by the ACC's diverse offensive attacks, providing the defense with a much-needed injection of topical authority.
Navigating the Offensive Transition: The Co-OC Approach and New Faces
While the defense gained a clear new leader, the offense experienced a major shift with the departure of Offensive Coordinator Buster Faulkner, who took the same position at the University of Florida. This created a void that Head Coach Brent Key has addressed by utilizing a co-coordinator structure and bringing in experienced position coaches.
The Chris Weinke Factor
Stepping into a more prominent role is Chris Weinke, who holds the title of Assistant Head Coach, Co-Offensive Coordinator, and Quarterbacks Coach. Weinke, a former Heisman Trophy winner and NFL quarterback, provides invaluable experience in developing signal-callers and managing a modern offense.
- Co-OC Role: Weinke's promotion to Co-OC suggests Brent Key is entrusting him with a significant portion of the offensive game planning and play-calling duties, particularly focusing on the passing game and quarterback performance.
- Quarterback Development: His primary responsibility is the continued development of the Yellow Jackets' quarterbacks, a position that is central to the team's offensive success.
Key Hires on the Offensive Side
To support the offensive scheme, Key has made several strategic hires to round out the staff, ensuring specialized coaching at every position.
- Allen Mogridge (Offensive Line): Mogridge returns to The Flats as the Offensive Line Coach, a critical position given Key's own background as an offensive lineman. His experience is vital for maintaining the line's physicality and protecting the quarterback.
- Trent McKnight (Wide Receivers): McKnight is a new addition who specializes in coaching wide receivers, bringing a fresh perspective on route running, blocking, and maximizing the potential of the Jackets' receiving corps.
- Norval McKenzie (Running Backs): McKenzie remains a highly respected figure on the staff, continuing his role as the Running Backs Coach and Run Game Coordinator. His expertise is essential for maintaining the strong rushing attack that has become a hallmark of Key's offense.
Topical Authority and Key Entities for the 2024 Season
The 2024 Georgia Tech football season is defined by the strategic realignment of its coaching staff. The following entities and keywords are central to the narrative of the Yellow Jackets' pursuit of success:
- Topical Entities: Brent Key, Blake Gideon, Chris Weinke, Norval McKenzie, Allen Mogridge, Trent McKnight, Kyle Pope.
- Key Departures: Buster Faulkner (Offensive Coordinator), Tyler Santucci (Defensive Coordinator).
- Program Focus: ACC Championship, New Year's Six Bowl, Recruiting, The Flats, Offensive Line Play, Defensive Aggression, Quarterback Development.
- LSI Keywords: Yellow Jackets, Position Coach, Run Game Coordinator, Defensive Backs, Special Teams, Assistant Head Coach, College Football, Atlanta.
With a blend of stability at the Head Coach position and dynamic changes at the coordinator and position coach levels, the 2024 Georgia Tech staff is poised to lead the program into a new era of competitive football, focusing on recruiting elite talent and dominating on both sides of the ball.
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