More staff changes are coming for Georgia Tech football.
On Saturday, defensive coordinator and linebackers coach Tyler Santucci left the Yellow Jackets to join the Baltimore Ravens as their new linebackers coach. The news was first reported by Chad Bishop of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, and the Ravens officially announced the hire on Tuesday.
Georgia Tech defensive coordinator Tyler Santucci is expected to be the new linebackers coach for the Baltimore Ravens, I have confirmed.
— Chad Bishop (@MrChadBishop) February 1, 2025
First NFL opportunity for Santucci who led the transformation of Tech’s defense in 2024, his one season with the Yellow Jackets.
Santucci, who joined the program after spending one season as Duke's defensive coordinator, helped the Yellow Jackets' defense finish No. 54 nationally in yards per game, a 69-spot improvement from 2023, when it finished No. 123. The Yellow Jackets also finished No. 34 in the country in rush defense (133.3 yards per game) and No. 11 in third down defense, giving up an average of 4.4 third down conversions per game.
Georgia Tech's defense often played well in big moments last season, most notably in the Yellow Jackets' 28-23 win over No. 4 Miami. Tech held the Hurricanes to 83 yards rushing and just three third down conversions in the contest.
It was a similar story in a 24-14 victory over Duke on Oct. 5. The Blue Devils finished with a dismal 74 yards on the ground and went 3-for-11 on third down. Late in the game, the defense forced an interception by Duke QB Maalik Murphy to seal the win.
While Santucci's defense helped propel the Yellow Jackets to another bowl trip, it faltered late in the season. The defense gave up at least 30 points in each of its final three games, including a 35-point barrage by Vanderbilt in the Birmingham Bowl on Dec. 27.
After recently adding four coaches to his staff, head coach Brent Key will have to replace Santucci, who led a defensive resurgence on The Flats in 2024.