NEW DC SEARCH: GT hires Blake Gideon

[JacketOff]

But he couldn't beat the mutts.....

I know you aren’t serious, but Texas allowed allowed 175 and 136 passing yards in their 2 games against UGA this year, 311 total. UGA averaged 281 passing yards per game. Gideon’s unit and the Texas defense as a whole is not the reason they lost those games.

 

[Lil G]

I think all of us would prefer Santucci. I’d even argue it would have been better to lose BF instead of Santucci.
But if this guy leads to more interceptions I’m happy. I don’t know why but I’m pretty sure we are among the teams with least INT’s in the last few years.

We haven’t had over a B- grade secondary room in years IMO, so hopefully he ups that in personnel and development of said personnel.

 

[305jacket]

Would hope this hire helps with some spring transfer portal adds after he does evals on the current team and any holes.

 

[stingerman]

I see that Gideon spent a season on the practice squad as a safety for the Broncos in 2012-2013. I hope Demaryius Thomas gave him a good introduction to GT.

 

[iceeater1969]

Batt to DC to help build new P4 org to " compliment NCAA.
Key and Wienke keep adding coaching building blocks - HF( uga) , GEEP, Tucci/ Gibeon ( ut) and new recruiting director Mathis ( ucf). We have excellent Dl coaches

Gt is building a somthing special in Atlanta.
From the busiest airport in the world, it is a 20 minute MARTA ride to North Ave. Starkville ms, Ames ia and other small markets are on long term uphill slog.

I love the hire of a DC who is suject matter expert at safety. A great defense needs a great safety. I think he can find one for gt.

We have a head coach that is a subject matter at ol. He has seen need for a qb subject matter expert. We are staffed for recruiting , player devlopment , game planning are looking good.

 

[Oldgoldandwhite]

Would hope this hire helps with some spring transfer portal adds after he does evals on the current team and any holes.

That could be key!

 

[Bogey]

From reading Dave Cambell's article, this guy is tough as nails. I am pretty sure Key and Gideon will have a very special relationship. Hopefully he is successful as our DC, and loves coaching under no-nonsense coach Brent Key that he gives us at least 5 or 6 years as DC, if not more.

 

[stinger 1957]

"Bogey", if he's good I doubt we see 5-6 years out of him, we're a different model now and still evolving and with our new model will be constantly evolving IMO. Personally I like it. The more I watch Key the more I like.

 

[GT33]

From reading Dave Cambell's article, this guy is tough as nails. I am pretty sure Key and Gideon will have a very special relationship. Hopefully he is successful as our DC, and loves coaching under no-nonsense coach Brent Key that he gives us at least 5 or 6 years as DC, if not more.

I thought the snowflakes would all wet themselves playing for tough coaches. We're definitely bucking the trend here.

 

[iceeater1969]

Gideon pulled in top safety to UT

 

[tmhunter52]

Fingers crossed on this hire. Difficult for first year DC's that have not called plays before, especially in this era of fast paced offenses. That said, last year was Santucci's first year of calling plays so hope abounds that we have a repeat situation.

If he can make our secondary relevant again, I’ll take it.

 

[jzgt22]

Gideon pulled in top safety to UT
View attachment 17725

CBG was lead recruiter and landed 4 star Zelus Hicks out of Carrollton this cycle as well. If he gets homesick, should put us in a pretty good spot with him...

 

[stech81]

I think this is a good hire and I guess am the only one worried who will coach the LB’s .
But I trust Key he will work it out.

 

[Techster]

From reading Dave Cambell's article, this guy is tough as nails. I am pretty sure Key and Gideon will have a very special relationship. Hopefully he is successful as our DC, and loves coaching under no-nonsense coach Brent Key that he gives us at least 5 or 6 years as DC, if not more.

You only get guys like Santucci and Gideon, and keep guys like Faulkner and Weinke...young coaches on their way up with multiple other options outside of GT if you have a reputation for being a good boss. Players AND coaches love Key because he's a supportive guy with high expectations. You think our coaches would risk their careers to coach under someone who isn't cut from the same cloth from them?

Anyone notice a pattern with the guys Key hires?

Faulkner: from UGA's staff with Monken. One of the top OC's in all levels of football. UGA at the time was coming off championship runs.
Santucci: From Mike Elko's staff. Elko, at the time, was considered one of the top defensive minds in college football and went to Duke. Turned around that program that led to TAMU hiring him as HC.
Gideon: From UTexas's staff under Steve Sarkisian who has become a replica of Nick Saban. Texas turned it around last season, and continued that upward trend this season fielding a top 3 defense, and one of the best passing defenses.

You take chances on those guys because they were all crucial to the success of their former schools (schools that were highly successful), and all were considered rising stars. That's also how you build a championship culture in your own program. Hire guys who come from schools with high bars for success, and bring that standard here.

 

[thecrowdedbooth]

Broke down possible schemes and what I think we can expect from Blake Gideon... btw LOVE this hire

 

[iceeater1969]

I think this is a good hire and I guess am the only one worried who will coach the LB’s .
But I trust Key he will work it out.

We have an outside line backer coach.

 

[jacket38]

Not sure if it’s been mentioned but he also held the Associate Head Coach (defense) title at Texas. So maybe he was a little more involved with overall defense scheme than a typical assistant.

Either way... I’m stoked for the hire. Glad we are getting a coach from a winning program.

 

[GTNavyNuke]

I trust Key.

 

[Randy Carson]

I hope this goes well, but I doubt this is our Bud Foster.

Gideon returns to Atlanta, where he coached cornerbacks for Georgia State in 2018.
He also coached special teams and safeties at Houston in 2019.
Special teams at Ole Miss in 2020.
Joined Steve Sarkisian's staff at Texas from 2021-2024.

Three teams in three years? Four years at one of the nation's elite prograns? It's way too early for us to start picking out a china pattern.

(For you young'uns, that was a thing back in the day.)

 

[yeti92]

You are only fooling yourself if you think anyone other than HC is sticking around long term that is highly successful in this day and age. Even if a coach doesn't want to be a HC, and those guys are few and far between, if he's as successful as we hope there will eventually be a bigger program offering a salary worth the jump.