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In less than four full seasons, Brent Key has turned Georgia Tech football program around. He led the Yellow Jackets to a 9-3 record in 2025 and was recently rewarded with a contract extension that ties him to his alma mater through 2029.
Key and Georgia Tech are finalizing preparations for Saturday's matchup. from BYU at the Pop-Tarts Bowl, Key took a moment to share his thoughts on the oft-criticized state of college football.
“I think the state of college football … college football is at a better level than it's ever been,” Key told reporters Friday.
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Georgia Tech head coach Brent Key celebrates after the 2024 Aer Lingus College Football Classic between Florida State and Georgia Tech at Aviva Stadium in Dublin. (Brendan Moran/Sportsfile via Getty Images)
Key noted the fan experience and strong audience the sport often attracts.
“The fan experience, the viewership…college football is at an all-time high.” – Klyuch noted. “The amount of people watching games, watching playoff games, watching (ESPN) 'College GameDay,' it's just college football, it's a way of life, and I think interest in college football is at an all-time high.”
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Although the current version college football The calendar and format of the 12-team playoffs were widely discussed and criticized. Key emphasized what he believes are the strengths of the sport.
Detail view of the University of Virginia helmet decal on the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets helmet during a game against the North Carolina Tar Heels at Kenan Memorial Stadium on November 19, 2022 in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. (Grant Halverson/Getty Images)
Appearance name, image and likeness (NIL) and increased player mobility through the transfer portal have had a huge impact on college football. While Key is well aware of the seismic changes in the sports landscape, he also acknowledged that college football goes through ebbs and flows every couple of decades or so.
Key expressed confidence in the positive progress he has seen over the years.
The College Football Playoff National Championship trophy is seen on the sideline during the game between the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets and the Pittsburgh Panthers in the fourth quarter at Bobby Dodd Stadium at Hyundai Field on November 22, 2025 in Atlanta. (Brett Davis/Imagn Images)
“There was a time when they voted for the national champion. So times are changing. Look at college football. Every 15 to 20 years, major changes occur in college football. We are going through one of those periods right now,” Key said.
“Great changes don’t happen overnight. At the end of the day, our job is to get players out of college, get their degrees, and change their lives. We do this through football.”
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The Pop-Tarts Bowl will begin Saturday at 3:30 pm ET at Camping World Stadium in Orlando, Florida.
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