After losing Tyler Santucci to the Ravens, where he will coach the linebackers, Brent Key has moved quickly to fill his defensive coordinator opening.
Key is turning to Texas associate head coach / safeties coach Blake Gideon as the new defensive coordinator for the Yellow Jackets, sources share with FootballScoop this morning.
A rising young assistant who is just 35, Gideon leaves his alma mater after spending the last few seasons helping the Longhorn safeties excel.
Despite his age, Gideon is viewed as a very well rounded coach in coaching circles due to his ability to recruit and connect with players, and his football acumen, as proven by being charged with coordinating special teams in the SEC in his early 30s.
A rare two-time winner of the FootballScoop Coach of the Year award at two different positions (secondary and special teams), Gideon returned to his alma mater in 2021 after a season as the special teams coordinator at Ole Miss, and a season coordinating special teams and coaching safeties at Houston.
A former All-Big 12 safety, Gideon spent a few seasons in the NFL before starting his coaching career at Florida in a defensive quality control role in 2014 and then a graduate assistant at Auburn in 2015.
His first full-time on-field role came at Western Carolina coaching the defensive backs, and he spent two seasons there before a quick stop at Georgia State before going on to Houston and Ole Miss for a season each.
Stay tuned to The Scoop for the latest.