Georgia Tech makes major coaching staff changes amid disappointing season
Georgia Tech’s disappointing season has prompted a major shake-up of Brent Key’s coaching staff.
Defensive coordinator Jason Semore, offensive line coach Allen Mogridge, defensive ends coach Kyle Pope and wide receivers coach Jafar Williams have been dismissed, the team announced Monday afternoon.
The moves represent a significant overhaul of a staff that Key assembled ahead of the 2026 season.
Semore, Mogridge and Williams were all in their first seasons at Tech. Pope had been with the program for three seasons.
“These decisions are not ones that I take lightly, especially in-season,” Key said in a press release. “After a lot of consideration over the last several weeks, I’ve decided that it’s necessary to make these changes at this time in order to put our players in the best position to be successful these final three games of the season, and to put our program in position to meet the high expectations that we all have for Georgia Tech football moving forward.”
Semore was hired in January to replace Blake Gideon to lead the defense, which has struggled throughout the season.
The Jackets enter their final three games ranked near the bottom nationally in several defensive categories, including 136th among 138 FBS teams in rushing defense, allowing more than 222 yards per game.
The Jackets have lost four consecutive games, sit last in the 18-team ACC and, at 2-7, are assured of their first losing season since 2022.
“Don’t think for a second planning has not already begun on making this thing the program that our fans, our players, our boosters, administration and our alumni damn deserve,” Key said after Saturday’s 44-17 loss to Louisville at Bobby Dodd Stadium.
Tech announced that defensive backs coach Vinnie Sunseri will take over defensive play-calling duties. DeAndre Hopkins will serve as wide receivers coach, and Brandon Torrey will take over as offensive line coach. Defensive line coach Jess Simpson will also coach defensive ends and outside linebackers, while senior analyst Jack Tyler will coach linebackers.
Key is also restructuring the offensive staff, the Jackets announced. Changes will be made to on-field coaching responsibilities, game-day duties, game planning and other off-field responsibilities.
Tech’s offense ranks 13th in the ACC, averaging 23.9 points per game.