Georgia Tech football fires 3 assistant coaches, including offensive coordinator
ByWSBTV.com News Staff
Georgia v Georgia Tech ATLANTA, GA - NOVEMBER 27: Head coach Geoff Collins of the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets signals on the sidelines against the Georgia Bulldogs during the first quarter at Bobby Dodd Stadium on November 27, 2021 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Adam Hagy/Getty Images) (Adam Hagy/Getty Images)
ByWSBTV.com News Staff
ATLANTA (AP) — Georgia Tech coach Geoff Collins fired offensive coordinator Dave Patenaude and two other assistants on Sunday following a disappointing 3-9 season that ended with six consecutive losses.
Co-defensive coordinator and safeties coach Nathan Burton and cornerbacks coach Jeff Popovich also were fired. The staff changes were announced less than 24 hours after the Yellow Jackets’ third consecutive three-win season ended with Saturday’s ugly 45-0 loss to No. 1 Georgia.
“As I have begun evaluating our program and identifying the things we need to do to be more successful, I have determined that a change in leadership on both sides of the ball is necessary,” Collins said in a statement released by Georgia Tech.
“I believe that new voices in these key positions on our staff will allow us to do a better job of consistently putting our players in the best position to meet the high standards we all have for our program.”
The Yellow Jackets were outscored a combined 100-0 in losses to No. 6 Notre Dame and rival Georgia to close the season.
Georgia Tech finished the season ranked No. 97 in total offense and 96th in scoring, averaging 23.8 points.
Defensive coordinator Andrew Thacker appears set to return after Georgia Tech ranked No. 117 in total defense. The Yellow Jackets allowed 33.5 points per game, tied for 110th.
Following the lopsided loss to in-state rival Georgia, Collins on Saturday promised to make “a deep dive into every single phase of our program and then take the next steps in order to get better.”
He said “there’s nobody more frustrated than myself.”
Collins, who was hired from Temple to replace Paul Johnson, has insisted the program made progress in his third season.
Collins acknowledged last week he’ll need to show evidence of improvement in the team’s record next season. “It will be time to take that next step and push over the hump,” he said.
Georgia v Georgia Tech ATLANTA, GA - NOVEMBER 27: A general view of the stadium during the game between the Georgia Bulldogs and the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets in the first quarter at Bobby Dodd Stadium on November 27, 2021 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Adam Hagy/Getty Images) (Adam Hagy/Getty Images)
Georgia v Georgia Tech ATLANTA, GA - NOVEMBER 27: Brock Bowers #19 of the Georgia Bulldogs catches a pass for a touchdown over Tobias Oliver #8 of the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets during the third quarter at Bobby Dodd Stadium on November 27, 2021 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Adam Hagy/Getty Images) (Adam Hagy/Getty Images)
Georgia v Georgia Tech ATLANTA, GA - NOVEMBER 27: Head coach Kirby Smart of the Georgia Bulldogs gestures on the sidelines during the fourth quarter against the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets at Bobby Dodd Stadium on November 27, 2021 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Adam Hagy/Getty Images) (Adam Hagy/Getty Images)
Georgia v Georgia Tech ATLANTA, GA - NOVEMBER 27: Kenny McIntosh #6 of the Georgia Bulldogs scores a touchdown against Miles Brooks #20 of the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets during the third quarter at Bobby Dodd Stadium on November 27, 2021 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Adam Hagy/Getty Images) (Adam Hagy/Getty Images)
Georgia v Georgia Tech ATLANTA, GA - NOVEMBER 27: Jordan Mason #27 of the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets carries the ball against the Georgia Bulldogs during the first quarter at Bobby Dodd Stadium on November 27, 2021 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Adam Hagy/Getty Images) (Adam Hagy/Getty Images)
Georgia v Georgia Tech ATLANTA, GA - NOVEMBER 27: Jordan Yates #13 of the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets throws a pass against the Georgia Bulldogs during the first quarter at Bobby Dodd Stadium on November 27, 2021 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Adam Hagy/Getty Images) (Adam Hagy/Getty Images)
Georgia v Georgia Tech ATLANTA, GA - NOVEMBER 27: Head coach Geoff Collins of the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets signals on the sidelines against the Georgia Bulldogs during the first quarter at Bobby Dodd Stadium on November 27, 2021 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Adam Hagy/Getty Images) (Adam Hagy/Getty Images)
Georgia v Georgia Tech ATLANTA, GA - NOVEMBER 27: James Cook #4 of the Georgia Bulldogs carries the ball against Tobias Oliver #8 of the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets during the first quarter at Bobby Dodd Stadium on November 27, 2021 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Adam Hagy/Getty Images) (Adam Hagy/Getty Images)
Georgia v Georgia Tech ATLANTA, GA - NOVEMBER 27: Robert Beal Jr. #33 of the Georgia Bulldogs reacts after a play against the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets during the first quarter at Bobby Dodd Stadium on November 27, 2021 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Adam Hagy/Getty Images) (Adam Hagy/Getty Images)
Georgia v Georgia Tech ATLANTA, GA - NOVEMBER 27: Zamir White #3 of the Georgia Bulldogs celebrates with teammates after scoring a touchdown against the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets during the fourth quarter at Bobby Dodd Stadium on November 27, 2021 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Adam Hagy/Getty Images) (Adam Hagy/Getty Images)
Georgia v Georgia Tech ATLANTA, GA - NOVEMBER 27: Ladd McConkey #84 of the Georgia Bulldogs scores a touchdown against the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets during the second quarter at Bobby Dodd Stadium on November 27, 2021 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Adam Hagy/Getty Images) (Adam Hagy/Getty Images)
