Brent Key Named to Bear Bryant Coach of the Year Watch List

Georgia Tech head coach Brent Key continues to draw national recognition. On Wednesday, the American Heart Association announced that Key is one of 25 coaches named to the midseason watch list for the 2025 Bear Bryant Coach of the Year Award.

The Bear Bryant Award honors a college football coach who shows grit, integrity, and excellence both on and off the field. It recognizes leaders who make the sport better for athletes, fans, and the game itself.
The buzz around the Georgia Tech program is higher than it has been in a long time.

Now in his third full season, Key joins elite company in program history. He’s one of only five Georgia Tech coaches to reach at least 20 wins within his first three full seasons. The others — William Alexander, Bobby Dodd, and Paul Johnson — are all members of the College Football Hall of Fame.

Being named to the Bear Bryant midseason list puts Key alongside other national contenders while linking him to both his alma mater and home state. He’s also on the watch list for the Dodd Trophy, another award tied to Georgia Tech’s coaching legacy.

The 40th Bear Bryant Coach of the Year Award will be presented on January 21 in Houston, airing live on CBS Sports Network.

Georgia Tech returns to action this Saturday with a key ACC road matchup at Duke. In a critical ACC game. Another chance for Key and the Yellow Jackets to crack the top 10 rankings.