Long-term challenges during the season, primarily the loss of his first and second series quarterbacks (Jeff Sims and Zach Pyron) in the second half of the season and injuries to the offensive line.
It’s a decisive move for Key, who had a friendship with Long and was instrumental in bringing him from Tulane to Tech last season. It also comes at a financial cost to Tech, as Long is due his 2023 salary of $850,000. Long also coached tight ends.
This was also Alexander’s first season. He had previously coached with Long at Arizona State and Notre Dame and was hired after Kerry Dixon left Tech for a position with the Baltimore Ravens. He worked with a one-year contract.
Caralla was one of the first hires by former coach Geoff Collins upon his appointment in December 2018. Known, among other things, for his enthusiasm, motivational messages and dedication to putting himself through the same workouts as players, Caralla became a popular and well-loved figure within the team and the fan base.
In a tweet informing followers that he was not being held, Caralla wrote: “I want to thank all the players I have had the pleasure of coaching over the last 4 years. I will sleep soundly at night knowing that I couldn’t have given more of my heart or worked harder to help. I love you.’
In Thacker’s fourth season as coordinator, after a season that saw his retention widely questioned, the Jackets defense showed marked progress. The defense tied for ninth in FBS in takeaways with 24. The Jackets allowed 5.7 yards per game in the eight games following Collins’ firing after giving up 6.6 yards per game in 2021 and did so despite three offenses in the top 15 in FBS in total offense.
The scoring defense dropped from 33.5 points per game in 2021 to 26.8 in the last eight games. Football Outsiders ranks the defense 39th in the Fremeau Efficiency Index (FEI) rating, after being 112th last season, a stunning jump.
The highlight of the defense this season was limiting North Carolina, ranked 11th in FBS in total offense, to lows in scoring and yardage (the last since eclipsed) in the Jackets’ 21-17 victory in Chapel Hill, NC
Four defensive players—linebackers Ayinde Eley (second team) and Charlie Thomas (third team), safety LaMiles Brooks (third team), and defensive end Keion White (third team)—all made the All-ACC team, while cornerback Zamari Walton earned honors. deserved call.
The fate of two coaches promoted during the season to round out the 10-man assistant coaching staff, running backs coach Donald Hill-Eley and assistant special teams coach JB Hall, was unknown.
Key now has at least three spots to fill — offensive coordinator and coaches for the offensive line and wide receiver — and possibly up to five. When Key was promoted to interim, he tasked graduate assistant Nathan Brock with coaching the offensive line. The remake of the Tech program to fit Key’s vision is well underway.
