ATLANTA — Georgia Tech officially promoted former player and assistant coach Brent Key to become its new head football coach.
As an interim head coach, Key helped guide the Yellow Jackets to a 4-4 record in the final eight games of the 2022 season, including wins over ranked Pittsburgh and North Carolina.
Georgia Tech had its highest win totals since 2018, with Key at the helm.
“I am very excited that Brent Key will be our next football coach,” President Ángel Cabrera said. “As an alum, he understands and cares deeply about this place and our extraordinary student-athletes. He’s not only incredibly competitive but will do everything he can to make sure students grow as athletes, professionals and human beings.”
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Key was a four-year starter in his four seasons playing at Georgia Tech from 1997 to 2000. While making 44 straight starts at right guard, Key was a part of a senior class that led Georgia Tech to four straight bowl appearances. Key says he’s grateful for the opportunity.
What an awesome reaction from the #GeorgiaTech players when they find out Brent Key is here to stay in the ATL and be their head coach . #4the404
— Alison Mastrangelo (@AlisonWSB) November 30, 2022
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“I am so proud and grateful to be the head coach at my alma mater, Georgia Tech,” Key said. “I can’t thank President Cabrera, J and everyone that had a hand in the search enough for the faith that they have in me to lead our program. Like I’ve said many times over the past two months, I love this team, and I couldn’t be more excited to be their head coach. We will work unbelievably hard to make our fans, alumni and former players very proud of this program. Thank you to everyone who has supported our team over the past two months, and we thank you in advance for your continued support as we begin working towards next season. Go Jackets!”
Before becoming interim head coach, Key was in his fourth season as the Yellow Jackets’ assistant head coach, run game coordinator and offensive-line coach.
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Prior to coaching at Tech, Key spent three seasons as offensive-line coach at Alabama from 2016 to 2018, helping lead the Crimson Tide to two Southeastern Conference championships, three College Football Playoff championship games and the 2017 national title.
Before his three-year stint at Alabama, Key spent 11 seasons at UCF, starting as a graduate assistant and working his way up to assistant head coach and offensive coordinator.
Key got his start in coaching as a graduate assistant at Georgia Tech in 2001-02 and served as tight-ends and running-backs coach at Western Carolina in 2004.
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