Let’s look at Georgia Tech’s newest coach!
The coaching change that was the most surprising came on offense, when WR Coach Josh Crawford was poached by UGA to be their new running backs coach. Well, the three-way trade continued as former UGA RB coach Dell McGee went to Georgia State to be the head coach and former Georgia State offensive coordinator Trent McKnight comes to Georgia Tech to be the new wide receivers coach.
Coaching Experience
- 2007-08 | Alabama (Recruiting Intern)
- 2008 | Oak Mountain (Ala.) H.S. (Assistant Coach)
- 2009-10 | Samford (Student Assistant)
- 2011 | Georgia Military College (Wide Receivers)
- 2012-13 | Samford (Tight Ends/Inside Receivers)
- 2014 | Samford (Pass Game Coordinator/Wide Receivers)
- 2015-16 | Samford (Run Game Coordinator/Tight Ends)
- 2017-21 | Georgia State (Wide Receivers)
- 2022-23 | Georgia State (Offensive Coordinator/Quarterbacks)
As you can see, McKnight has steadily worked his way through the ranks, culminating in the OC position at Georgia State. As with other hires that Brent Key has made, this bodes well. McKnight is inheriting a pretty talented group of receivers, especially with the emergence of Eric Singleton last season.
At Georgia State, McKnight two receivers who ended up going to the NFL: Penny Hart and Jamari Thrash (drafted in the 5th round this year). Coincidentally, Hart and Thrash are the two receivers who both eclipsed 1,000 yards under McKnight’s tutelage.
While McKnight has been at Georgia State, the offense has ebbed and flowed between being more pass-heavy and run-heavy. There are years under McKnight where no receiver had more than 500 yards. Then of course, there’s the seasons where Hart and Thrash were so impactful.
In his second season as offensive coordinator, the Panthers offense found that sweet spot so the pass and rush offense could both be featured. Running back Marcus Carroll went for over 1,300 yards and 13 touchdowns while quarterback Darren Grainger completed over two-thirds of his passes for 2,600 yards and 20 touchdowns. The Panthers finished with positive EPA per pass and rush last year. They also converted on 48.5% of third and fourth downs.
All in all, McKnight did a terrific job with Georgia State’s offense, and I think he’ll be able to step in and work with Georgia Tech’s receivers to make an immediate impact.