Brent Key, the head coach of the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets, has earned a spot on the 2026 watch list for the Bobby Dodd Coach of the Year Trophy, an award that honors coaches who excel on the field while upholding the principles of scholarship, leadership and integrity.
The Dodd Trophy’s Dual Emphasis
The trophy is presented annually to a head coach whose team demonstrates competitive success and meets the NCAA’s Academic Progress Rate threshold, which currently exceeds the national average of 971.
Key’s tenure at Georgia Tech has been marked by steady improvement. He compiled a 27‑20 overall record, including eight games as interim head coach in 2022, and his 23 victories during the first three full seasons rank among the program’s best starts.
ACC Dominance
Over the past three seasons the Yellow Jackets have finished fourth, fourth and second in the Atlantic Coast Conference, making Georgia Tech the only team to achieve fourth‑place or better in each of those years.
A Winning Record Against Ranked Opponents
Key’s squad posted a 7‑1 record against nationally ranked ACC opponents, underscoring the team’s ability to compete with the conference’s elite.
2025 Season Highlights
In 2025 the Yellow Jackets secured nine regular‑season wins, their highest total since 2009, and cracked the top 25 in both the final College Football Playoff rankings and the coaches’ poll.
Looking Forward
With a foundation built on academic achievement and on‑field resilience, Key remains focused on sustaining the program’s upward trajectory as the next chapter of his career unfolds.