Georgia Tech quarterback Haynes King discusses how his leadership might need to change moving forward this season

King hopes to lead Georgia Tech to an upset against Miami on Saturday

Author:
Jackson Caudell
Publish date:
Oct 4, 2023 6:12 PM EDT

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Georgia Tech faces a big challenge this Saturday against No. 17 Miami. The Yellow Jackets lost all of their momentum from their victory against Wake Forest when they lost as three-touchdown favorites against Bowling Green.

There have been some changes for the Yellow Jackets after that defeat.

Georgia Tech's defense saw a shakeup on the coaching staff this week when Andrew Thacker was demoted from defensive coordinator to safeties coach and linebackers coach Kevin Sherrer is taking over as the new coordinator.

When asked about how the players responded, here is what Head Coach Brent Key had to say:

"You obviously don't have the chance to talk to every single player. I made the decision, I obviously don't ever want to make an emotional decision immediately after a football game or anything so I was able to go back to watch the game a couple of times and think through the different options and then as I came in that morning I watched it again and and went through the processes of what would take place and I informed the staff 30 minutes before I informed the team. I went into the team room, just myself and no other coaches, no support, just myself and the team and I told them exactly what was done and why it was done and exactly what is needed going forward."

It is not just the coaching staff that is going to hope for different results, it is Georgia Tech's quarterback. Haynes King has been fantastic on the field for the Yellow Jackets, but when talking with the media today, King discussed how he might need to change his tune when it comes to how he is being a leader:

"Most likely yes. The other part is just letting them know because sometimes you just have to change like your... attitude and your behavior towards them. Sometimes you gotta say, hey you gotta know that or you gotta run the right route and come on we are gonna get it next time to now, you gotta drop the hammer a little bit where its like, hey, we are not going to have that no more, that is unacceptable. We have to lock in and you have to do better, let's go. We are going to figure it out, let's go. Kinda set that tone, change that tone a little bit and just being vocal. Sometimes when you are just being vocal, you're almost speaking without a message. Sometimes the tone of what you are saying can change and that message across better than what has been going on. That is probably the only thing right there."

King is currently the leading passer in the ACC, with 1,480 yards in five games. King is currently in front of some notable quarterbacks like Drake Maye (ACC preseason Player of the Year), Florida State's Jordan Travis, and Miami's Tyler Van Dyke (though Van Dyke has played in only four games). King struggled against Bowling Green on Saturday but has been fantastic this season and provided stability at the position. The Yellow Jackets are going to need his best efforts on Saturday if they want any hope of pulling an upset.