Bleav Georgia Tech: Taking a Closer Look at The Yellow Jackets Hire of Blake Gideon As Its Defensive Coordinator

Georgia Tech officially hired Gideon this week to replace Tyler Santucci as its new defensive coordinator

Blake Gideon, safeties coach for the Texas Longhorns, gives instructions at practice at Frank Denius Fields on Thursday, Aug. 1, 2024 in Austin. / Aaron E. Martinez/American-Statesman / USA TODAY NETWORK

Georgia Tech head coach Brent Key did not waste any time finding a replacement for former defensive coordinator Tyler Santucci. It was officially announced by the school on Friday that former Texas assistant coach Blake Gideon is going to be the new defensive coordinator on The Flats.

On the latest episode of Bleav Georgia Tech, I dive into the hire of Gideon and talk about how he could impact the defense and what kind of hire he might be.

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Georgia Tech is replacing a lot of snaps on the defensive line but brings back impact player Jordan van den Berg up front. The linebackers are bringing most of their snaps back aside from Trenilyas Tatum and have made important additions through the portal with Melvin Jordan (Oregon State) and Cayman Spaulding (Tennessee Tech), not to mention Tah'j Butler as a young player who showed flashes this past season. The secondary is losing seniors Warren Burrell and LaMiles Brooks, but also returns Ahmari Harvey, Rodney Shelley, and Clayton Powell-Lee, and is bringing in new talent through the portal, but also high school recruiting with four-star players Tae Harris and Dalen Penson. There is talent on The Flats for Gideon to work with, but there is still plenty of room for improvement. The pass rush was not very good last season and might be the No. 1 question mark on the roster heading into the spring.

Gideon comes to Georgia Tech after four seasons (2021-24) as safeties coach at his alma mater, Texas. He was promoted to the Longhorns’ associate head coach for defense in 2024. In his four seasons at Texas, he helped increase the Longhorns’ win totals from five to eight to 12 to 13, with UT advancing to the College Football Playoff semifinals in both 2023 and ’24.

He was named the 2024 National Defensive Backs Coach of the Year by Football Scoop after Texas finished the season ranked among the top 10 nationally in interceptions (No. 1 – 22), passing yards allowed per attempt (No. 1 – 5.69), passing efficiency defense (No. 2 – 104.56), takeaways (No. 2 – 31), total defense (No. 3 – 283.4 ypg), scoring defense (No. 3 – 15.3 ppg), red zone defense (No. 3 - .692), yards allowed per play (No. 3 – 4.4), passing defense (No. 7 – 173.8 ypg) and third down defense (No. 8 - .314).

Individually, Gideon developed safety Michael Taffe, who arrived at UT as a walk-on and finished his career as a first-team all-American, and all-Southeastern Conference safety Andrew Mukuba. He also aided in the development of 2024 Jim Thorpe Award winner Jahdae Barron.

“My family and I are excited to come to The Flats and join the Georgia Tech football family,” Gideon said. “I’m grateful to Coach Key for this opportunity and looking forward to working with him, the great staff that he’s assembled and an outstanding group of talented players. The future of Tech football is bright and I can’t wait to get to work.”

Prior to his four seasons at Texas, Gideon spent one season apiece coaching the nickel backs and serving as special teams coordinator at Ole Miss (2020) and Houston (2019). In his lone season at Houston, he was named Football Scoop’s National Special Teams Coordinator of the Year.

Gideon spent the 2018 season in Atlanta as cornerbacks coach at Georgia State, which followed two seasons as defensive backs coach and defensive pass game coordinator at Western Carolina (2016-17). In just two seasons at WCU, he coached four all-Southern Conference selections, including all-American Marvin Tillman and NFL draft pick Keion Crossen.

Gideon began his coaching career as a quality control assistant at Florida in 2014, followed by a season as a graduate assistant at Auburn in 2015. He worked with the secondary at both stops.

As a player, Gideon was one of the most decorated defensive backs in Texas history from 2008-11. A four-year starter at safety, he helped lead the Longhorns to an appearance in the 2010 National Championship Game and wins in the 2009 Fiesta Bowl and 2011 Holiday Bowl. UT also won the 2009 Big 12 title, had 13- and 12-win seasons in 2008 and 2009, respectively, and finished ranked in the top five nationally both seasons (No. 3 in 2008 and No. 2 in 2009). Individually, he posted 276 tackles, 10 interceptions, 20 pass breakups, two forced fumbles, two fumble recoveries and a blocked punt over four collegiate seasons. He was a four-time honorable-mention all-Big 12 selection, a freshman all-American in 2008, a two-time team captain and a two-time member of the athletics director’s honor roll.

There is a lot to like about Gideon. He is a good recruiter and has helped out together some really good pass defenses in his career, as well as developing players into NFL-caliber prospects. Georgia Tech had a below-average pass defense last season but has talent there and should see improvement under Gideon. The main reason this is just a B+ and not an A or an A- is the lack of coordinator experience. Being a coordinator is different and more challenging than his previous jobs and while there is plenty of reason to think this will be a good hire, there is a downside as well. Spring practice is not far away and Gideon will be looking to hit the ground running in Atlanta. Key has made good hires when it comes to his staff and has earned the benefit of the doubt when it comes to this.

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