ATHENS — In Kirby Smart’s first three seasons at Georgia, from 2016-18, he coached against Paul Johnson in the Bulldogs’ annual regular-season finale against Georgia Tech.
The Yellow Jackets’ triple-option scheme under Johnson got the best of him in Year 1 – then came the Geoff Collins era, with the Bulldogs outscoring those Tech squads by a combined 97-7 in two meetings (the teams didn’t play in 2020, the season disrupted by COVID-19).
Now comes a different – while also familiar – challenge in Tech interim coach Brent Key, a former offensive line coach for the Jackets, who coached Alabama’s offensive line from 2016-18 and started at guard for Tech from 1997-2000. That overlaps with Smart’s playing days at Georgia (1995-98).
“We’re on to Georgia Tech, a program I know a lot about, and a coach that I have a lot of respect for,” Smart said Monday. “Known Brent for a long time. He played at Tech while I played at Georgia. We played against each other. And we spent some summers together. And I have a lot of respect for him as a coach.
“You know, he was the O-line coach at Alabama one of the years we played them. And they did a really good job. His offensive lines are always physical, get after it. There’s a lot of familiarity with their staff, with ours, Chip Long, (Jim) Chaney, and all the guys that have been over there. And so, they’re playing really well now. They’re playing really hard now. And I think he’s done a tremendous job at getting these guys to compete.”
Smart is correct that this Tech team has a different feel now than it did to start the season, and much of that can be attributed to Key. The Jackets still aren’t without their struggles, their offense at or near the bottom of the ACC (17.5 points per game, two spots ahead of last-place Virginia at 17 points per game).
But they’ve gone from an anemic 1-3 start to knocking off two ranked opponents (No. 24 Pitt and No. 13 North Carolina), with the No. 5 turnover margin in FBS at plus-11, now one game removed from bowl eligibility. Unfortunately for the Jackets, the No. 1 team in college football stands in their way, but the growth under Key is notable.
“They take on (Key’s) personality of toughness, not beating themselves, being physical,” Smart said “You can tell they’ve probably honed down some things. He made some changes to special teams. You know, he played there. And when you’ve got someone that played at that university and that’s their alma mater, there’s a certain level of want to desire to represent the university the right way. … You can see the emotion that he had after the Pitt win in the locker room because of how much it means to him.”
In its 21-17 win vs. North Carolina on Saturday, Tech trailed 17-0 before working its way back and finding a way to slow Tar Heels quarterback Drake Maye, who had received some Heisman Trophy buzz. The Jackets sacked him six times. Smart came away impressed with the final product, a season low in scoring for the Tar Heels.
“They started a little slow, and then once they got in their groove, they were really aggressive, extremely physical,” Smart said. “You know, I think (they) held UNC to their lowest output in terms of yardage and maybe points in the season. ... They played really hard. And they did a great job defensively. They always have, you know, Tech has good personnel. And the guys there know football, and you can see that the kids are playing with a lot more passion and energy. They’re one game from bowl eligibility, and you saw it come out in the play against UNC.”
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Credit: Jason Getz / Jason.Getz@ajc.com
Credit: Jason Getz / Jason.Getz@ajc.com
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