Georgia Tech coach Brent Key defends state of college football amid widespread criticism

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In less than four full seasons, Brent Key has turned the Georgia Tech football program around. He guided 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.

As Key and Georgia Tech put the finishing touches on preparations for Saturday’s matchup with BYU in the Pop-Tarts Bowl, Key took a moment to share his thoughts on the often-maligned state of college football.

"I think the state of college football … college football is at the greatest place 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 match between Florida State and Georgia Tech at Aviva Stadium in Dublin.  (Brendan Moran/Sportsfile via Getty Images)

Key cited the fan experience and the strong viewership the sport frequently draws.

"The fan experience, the viewership … college football is at an all-time high," Key noted. "The amount of people watching games, watching playoff games, watching (ESPN’s) ‘College GameDay,’ it’s just overall college football is a way of life, and I think college football, the interest in it is at an all-time high."

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While the current version of the college football calendar and the 12-team playoff format have been widely debated and critiqued, Key highlighted what he believes are the sport’s strong points.

A detailed view of a University of Virginia helmet sticker on a Georgia Tech Yellow