Necessary to Improve: Georgia Tech Football Coach Demotes Defensive Coordinator

Georgia Tech coach Brent Key makes changes to defensive staff after a loss, with Andrew Thacker no longer leading the defense.

In a surprising move, Georgia Tech coach Brent Key made significant changes to his defensive staff following the team's disappointing loss to underdog Bowling Green. The Yellow Jackets gave up an astonishing 38 unanswered points in a 38-27 defeat, prompting Key to take action.

The biggest change comes with the removal of Andrew Thacker as the team's defensive coordinator. Thacker, who had held the position since 2019, will now focus on coaching safeties. In his place, Kevin Sherrer has been promoted to defensive coordinator. This decision was announced by the school in an official statement.

Key's decision to shake up the defensive staff came after he took responsibility for the loss, stating that "it's on me to make changes to get this thing fixed." He expressed his disappointment, describing the game as "an embarrassing display of football" and "as epic of a failure as you can possibly have." The Yellow Jackets were heavily favored to win by 22 1/2 points.

In the statement released by the school, Key emphasized that the defensive performance this season has not met the expectations set by Georgia Tech. While acknowledging that the responsibility ultimately falls on him as the head coach, he believes that a fresh perspective and a new voice in the coordinator role are necessary for improvement.

The Yellow Jackets currently hold a 2-2 record in Key's first full season as coach. In 2022, he served as interim coach and achieved a 4-4 record. Their next game is against No. 17 Miami, presenting a tough challenge for the team.

As for Sherrer, he joined Key's staff as co-defensive coordinator this year, having previously worked as the linebackers coach for the New York Giants. Key expressed confidence in Sherrer's abilities, noting his experience and success in coaching defense at the highest levels of football. He believes that Sherrer will be able to lead the defense and achieve the improvement that is expected and demanded by the team.

Overall, these changes to the defensive staff reflect the urgency to address the team's defensive struggles. Key's decision to bring in a new coordinator and shift responsibilities within the staff demonstrates his commitment to finding solutions and improving the team's performance. The upcoming game against Miami will serve as a crucial test for the Yellow Jackets under this new defensive leadership.