Key receives honor for the second time this season after defeating No. 4 Miami
ATLANTA (Nov. 11, 2024) - Officials from the Bobby Dodd Coach of the Year Foundation and Peach Bowl, Inc. today announced that Georgia Tech head football coach Brent Key has been selected as The Dodd Trophy Coach of the Week Presented by PNC Bank.
The Dodd Trophy Coach of the Week award honors a football coach who led his team to a significant victory during the previous week, while also embodying the award's three pillars of scholarship, leadership and integrity.
Key and the Yellow Jackets upset previously unbeaten No. 4 Miami 28-23 on Saturday afternoon in Bobby Dodd Stadium at Hyundai Field. Georgia Tech ran all over the Hurricanes, gashing Miami for 271 rushing yards on the way to capturing its second win over an AP Top-10 opponent this season. On the ground, quarterback Haynes King and running back Jamal Haynes led the Yellow Jacket offense with a combined 176 rushing yards and one touchdown a piece. In the pocket, freshman quarterback Aaron Philo and Haynes traded off for a combined 99 yards and two touchdowns in the air. Georgia Tech’s defense held Miami to a season low in points and yards on the day, helping to seal the win after forcing a Miami fumble with 1:36 to go in the game.
The win marked the Yellow Jackets’ first victory over an AP Top-5 opponent since 2009 and their second Top-10 victory this year. Earlier this season, Key was also named Dodd Coach of the Week after an upset win over then No. 10 Florida State in the Aer Lingus College Football Classic in Dublin, Ireland. Key now improves to 6-1 against ranked Atlantic Coast Conference opponents following Saturday's win. With the victory, the Yellow Jackets became bowl eligible, marking the first time since the 2013-14 seasons that the team will have gone back-to-back years making a bowl game.
"Coach Key is striving for success on and off the field this season,” said Chairman of the Bobby Dodd Coach of the Year Foundation Jim Terry. "He’s our first repeat winner of this honor this season after two very impressive victories over top-ranked teams.”
Off the football field, Key's players have had success in the classroom during his tenure, recording a 944 Academic Progress Rate and an 88 Graduation Success Rate during the 2023 season. The Graduation Success Rate measures the number of student-athletes who graduate from their school within six years of entering.
In the community, Key recently competed in the Southern Company Peach Bowl Challenge charity golf tournament this spring, where he raised $10,000 for the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation.
“Coach Key is following in the mold of Coach Dodd with his outstanding leadership on and off the field at his Alma Mater,” said Peach Bowl, Inc. CEO and President Gary Stokan.
The Dodd Trophy Presented by PNC Bank – along with the Dodd Trophy Coach of the Week Award – celebrates the head coach of a FBS team who enjoys success on the gridiron, while also stressing the importance of scholarship, leadership and integrity.
A panel consisting of all previous winners, national media, a member of the Dodd family and a College Football Hall of Fame member will identify the final list of potential recipients at the conclusion of the 2024 season. The winner of the 2024 Dodd Trophy Presented by PNC Bank will be announced in Atlanta during the week of the College Football Playoff Quarterfinal at the Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl.
