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Since we’re in offseason mode, let’s talk about our coaching staff. How would we grade them for the season?
My thoughts:
Head Coach Brent Key: In his second full season as head coach, I feel that he has continued to improve the team. Our regular season record improved over last season, and we were much more competitive even in our losses. He still needs to work on clock management, but that’s a skill that improves with experience.
Grade: A-
Offensive Coordinator Buster Faulkner: This one is a little trickier because our starting QB was out for several games, hobbled for a couple games, and there were rumors that he had an injury that affected his throwing arm even before he was sidelined. Despite that, we saw some innovative game plans that allowed us to win difficult games like Miami and NC State. At times, though, it felt like our offense was slow to move away from strategies that weren’t working.
Grade: B+
Defensive Coordinator/Linebackers Coach Tyler Santucci: I can’t say enough about how impressed I was with our defense this season. In his first season, our defense dramatically improved and looked like the best Tech defense I’ve seen since I started following the team in 2011. While there is still room for improvement on the defense, Santucci has done a phenomenal job instilling fundamentals in our defensive players and putting them in position to succeed. Additionally, our linebackers played with good awareness, tackling technique, and never seemed confused like they had been in past seasons.
Grade: A
Co-Offensive Coordinator/QB Coach Chris Weinke: For his third year in a row, Weinke has put on a master class in developing QBs. Haynes King improved his accuracy and situational awareness while still showcasing his athleticism. When Aaron Philo was pressed into action, he showed exceptional ability in the passing game, especially for a true freshman. Coach Weinke repeatedly shows a remarkable ability to improve and develop the players entrusted to him.
Grade: A+
Offensive Line Coach Geep Wade: Our offensive line vastly improved in pass protection this season, but was inconsistent in run blocking. The performance in COFH exceeded expectations. Our offensive line performed well, but still has room for improvement. Hopefully, with the talent being brought in, we can see Coach Wade’s unit take the next step and take over games more often.
Grade: B
Tight Ends Coach Nathan Brock: In his first season as a position coach, Brock coached a unit that played very solid over the course of the season. Blocking from the tight ends was executed at a high level, showing his ability to adapt his offensive line background to a new position group. However, receiving from the tight ends as a whole left much to be desired. Hopefully with another offseason coaching the tight ends, we will see improvement in that department.
Grade: B-
Running Backs Coach Norval McKenzie: In his second year on the Flats, Coach McKenzie improved the skill and depth of the running back room. Jamal Haynes showed that he was capable of being the primary RB, and Chad Alexander was a pleasant surprise in demonstrating his skills and potential as the primary backup. The only thing missing from this position group is a bruiser who can get tough yards after contact consistently. Grade: B
Wide Receivers Coach Trent McKnight: Honestly, I was a bit disappointed in the play of our receivers this season. Given the talent of this group, I expected more improvement. Malik Rutherford and Chase Lane played well and really didn’t have much room for improvement. However, the rest of the group did not show much improvement. Eric Singleton’s route running was still rough, and he still hasn’t gotten rid of his bad habit of dropping passes in critical moments. That being said, Bailey Stockton and Isaiah Canion showed potential. Hopefully with another offseason working on this staff, he can get more production out of a very talented position group.
Grade: C-
Defensive Line Coach Jess Simpson: Our defensive line made huge strides this season and was the primary reason for our defensive improvement. Our defensive tackles stuffed the run very well and made some very timely plays in the offensive backfield. Fundamentals were much improved, and Coach Simpson will be a guy that Coach Key needs to prioritize retaining. Grade: A
Defensive Ends/Outside Linebackers Coach Kyle Pope: It gets tricky separating out Pope’s contributions from Simpson’s but fortunately, the entirety of the D-Line performed well enough that I don’t have to. While our sack numbers were nothing to write home about, our edge rushers were often generating pressure. There needs to be some improvement on finishing plays in the backfield, but this position group was much improved from the previous season. If only we could have seen what Kennard would have done with this group! Grade: B+
Defensive Backs Coach Cory Peoples: Our secondary was a mixed bag. At times, they made great plays breaking up passes and helping in the run game. However, they got burned a fair amount as well. Injuries and coaching turnover with the firing of Brumfield contributed to this unit not playing up to their talent and making very few interceptions. With an offseason in charge of the secondary by himself and with some good talent coming in, Coach Peoples will have a chance to show that 2024 was just a down year for the Georgia Tech secondary. Grade: C-
Special Teams Coach Ricky Brumfield: Brumfield was fired mid season amid special teams play that contributed to 2 avoidable losses, and Special Teams immediately improved in his absence. That speaks for itself. Grade: F
My thoughts:
Head Coach Brent Key: In his second full season as head coach, I feel that he has continued to improve the team. Our regular season record improved over last season, and we were much more competitive even in our losses. He still needs to work on clock management, but that’s a skill that improves with experience.
Grade: A-
Offensive Coordinator Buster Faulkner: This one is a little trickier because our starting QB was out for several games, hobbled for a couple games, and there were rumors that he had an injury that affected his throwing arm even before he was sidelined. Despite that, we saw some innovative game plans that allowed us to win difficult games like Miami and NC State. At times, though, it felt like our offense was slow to move away from strategies that weren’t working.
Grade: B+
Defensive Coordinator/Linebackers Coach Tyler Santucci: I can’t say enough about how impressed I was with our defense this season. In his first season, our defense dramatically improved and looked like the best Tech defense I’ve seen since I started following the team in 2011. While there is still room for improvement on the defense, Santucci has done a phenomenal job instilling fundamentals in our defensive players and putting them in position to succeed. Additionally, our linebackers played with good awareness, tackling technique, and never seemed confused like they had been in past seasons.
Grade: A
Co-Offensive Coordinator/QB Coach Chris Weinke: For his third year in a row, Weinke has put on a master class in developing QBs. Haynes King improved his accuracy and situational awareness while still showcasing his athleticism. When Aaron Philo was pressed into action, he showed exceptional ability in the passing game, especially for a true freshman. Coach Weinke repeatedly shows a remarkable ability to improve and develop the players entrusted to him.
Grade: A+
Offensive Line Coach Geep Wade: Our offensive line vastly improved in pass protection this season, but was inconsistent in run blocking. The performance in COFH exceeded expectations. Our offensive line performed well, but still has room for improvement. Hopefully, with the talent being brought in, we can see Coach Wade’s unit take the next step and take over games more often.
Grade: B
Tight Ends Coach Nathan Brock: In his first season as a position coach, Brock coached a unit that played very solid over the course of the season. Blocking from the tight ends was executed at a high level, showing his ability to adapt his offensive line background to a new position group. However, receiving from the tight ends as a whole left much to be desired. Hopefully with another offseason coaching the tight ends, we will see improvement in that department.
Grade: B-
Running Backs Coach Norval McKenzie: In his second year on the Flats, Coach McKenzie improved the skill and depth of the running back room. Jamal Haynes showed that he was capable of being the primary RB, and Chad Alexander was a pleasant surprise in demonstrating his skills and potential as the primary backup. The only thing missing from this position group is a bruiser who can get tough yards after contact consistently. Grade: B
Wide Receivers Coach Trent McKnight: Honestly, I was a bit disappointed in the play of our receivers this season. Given the talent of this group, I expected more improvement. Malik Rutherford and Chase Lane played well and really didn’t have much room for improvement. However, the rest of the group did not show much improvement. Eric Singleton’s route running was still rough, and he still hasn’t gotten rid of his bad habit of dropping passes in critical moments. That being said, Bailey Stockton and Isaiah Canion showed potential. Hopefully with another offseason working on this staff, he can get more production out of a very talented position group.
Grade: C-
Defensive Line Coach Jess Simpson: Our defensive line made huge strides this season and was the primary reason for our defensive improvement. Our defensive tackles stuffed the run very well and made some very timely plays in the offensive backfield. Fundamentals were much improved, and Coach Simpson will be a guy that Coach Key needs to prioritize retaining. Grade: A
Defensive Ends/Outside Linebackers Coach Kyle Pope: It gets tricky separating out Pope’s contributions from Simpson’s but fortunately, the entirety of the D-Line performed well enough that I don’t have to. While our sack numbers were nothing to write home about, our edge rushers were often generating pressure. There needs to be some improvement on finishing plays in the backfield, but this position group was much improved from the previous season. If only we could have seen what Kennard would have done with this group! Grade: B+
Defensive Backs Coach Cory Peoples: Our secondary was a mixed bag. At times, they made great plays breaking up passes and helping in the run game. However, they got burned a fair amount as well. Injuries and coaching turnover with the firing of Brumfield contributed to this unit not playing up to their talent and making very few interceptions. With an offseason in charge of the secondary by himself and with some good talent coming in, Coach Peoples will have a chance to show that 2024 was just a down year for the Georgia Tech secondary. Grade: C-
Special Teams Coach Ricky Brumfield: Brumfield was fired mid season amid special teams play that contributed to 2 avoidable losses, and Special Teams immediately improved in his absence. That speaks for itself. Grade: F
