Ga Tech's Key rounds out coaching staff with 6 new hires

Updated Jan. 17, 2023 7:38 p.m. ET

Associated Press

ATLANTA (AP) — Georgia Tech coach Brent Key rounded out his staff with the addition of six new assistants, including former Georgia quarterback quality control coach Buster Faulkner taking over as offensive coordinator.

Faulkner, who also will work with the tight ends, will be joined on the Yellow Jackets' staff by returning quarterbacks coach Chris Weinke, promoted by Key to also serve as co-offensive coordinator.

Faulkner has spent the past three years with the rival Bulldogs, where he was key to the development of Heisman Trophy finalist and two-time national champion QB Stetson Bennett.

Faulkner previously spent a total of 10 years as offensive coordinator at Southern Miss, Arkansas State, Middle Tennessee and Murray State.

“Buster is one of the nation’s finest offensive minds and his vision for what he wants to do offensively here on the Flats meshes perfectly with mine and the rest of the offensive staff’s," Key said in a statement.

While Andrew Thacker returns as defensive coordinator, Key's new hires also include Kevin Sherrer as co-defensive coordinator and linebackers coach.

Sherrer has been a linebackers coach at both Georgia and Tennessee in the Southeastern Conference, in addition to two stints at alma mater Alabama. He spent the 2020 and '21 seasons as an assistant with the New York Giants, and now returns to the college ranks after a season out of coaching.

“We’re really fortunate to add a coach of Kevin’s caliber to our staff,” Key said. “He has produced winners at every level that he has ever coached.”

Georgia Tech's other new assistants are running backs coach/run game coordinator Norval McKenzie, wide receivers coach Josh Crawford, offensive line coach Geep Wade and defensive line coach Marco Coleman.

Coleman played at Georgia Tech and was part of previous coach Geoff Collins' staff before leaving for Michigan State in 2022. Now, he's back with the Yellow Jackets.

The other holdovers from last year's staff are defensive backs coach Travares Tillman and special teams coordinator/nickel back-safeties coach Jason Semore.

In addition to the 10 on-field assistant coaches, Tech announced the hiring off Brian Baker as the senior analyst for the defensive line.

Key was hired as Georgia Tech's full-time head coach after serving as interim coach for the last eight games of last season. He went 4-4, just missing out on bowl eligibility, after Collins was fired with the team mired at 1-3 on the heels of three straight dismal seasons.

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