georgia tech, florida state have found success when all hope seemed lost
In the world of college football, there are few stories more captivating than those of teams that find success despite seemingly insurmountable odds. Two such programs, Georgia Tech and Florida State, have exhibited remarkable resilience in recent seasons, defying expectations and reviving their football programs when all hope seemed lost. The 2023 seasons for both schools stand as testaments to the power of perseverance, the importance of leadership, and the unpredictable nature of college football.
Georgia Tech: A New Era Under Brent Key
Georgia Tech’s football program had been through a rough patch in recent years. After a successful run in the late 2000s under Paul Johnson, the Yellow Jackets struggled with consistency, particularly following Johnson’s departure in 2018. The team’s performance waned under head coach Geoff Collins, leading to his dismissal midway through the 2022 season. At that point, Georgia Tech’s future appeared uncertain. However, the arrival of interim head coach Brent Key gave the program a renewed sense of hope.
Key, a former player and assistant coach at Georgia Tech, took over the helm and quickly instilled a sense of accountability and discipline within the team. Though his initial tenure as interim head coach in 2022 resulted in a mixed record, Key was able to stabilize the team and secure several key victories that showed potential for the future. His efforts paid off in 2023, as the Yellow Jackets experienced a resurgence.
In a season that many had written off as a rebuilding year, Georgia Tech defied expectations, showing improvement both on offense and defense. Quarterback Haynes King, transferred from Texas A&M, emerged as a capable leader under Key’s guidance, and the team demonstrated a renewed vigor on both sides of the ball. Georgia Tech’s offensive line, which had struggled in previous seasons, became a stronger unit, allowing the team to be more balanced offensively.
The Yellow Jackets’ turnaround wasn’t solely attributed to offensive growth, however. On defense, Georgia Tech exhibited tenacity and resilience, making key stops in critical moments. The defensive unit was particularly effective against high-powered offenses in the ACC, leading to several upset victories. One of the highlights of the season was Georgia Tech’s thrilling win over North Carolina, a game that saw the Yellow Jackets make key plays late in the contest to secure the victory.
Key’s leadership, combined with the grit and determination of the players, allowed Georgia Tech to exceed expectations and reestablish itself as a competitive force in the ACC. The 2023 season proved that, even when all hope seemed lost, the Yellow Jackets could rise from the ashes and put together a strong campaign.
Florida State: From Rebuilding to Contending
Florida State’s journey to relevance in college football was not as recent as Georgia Tech’s, but their road back to national prominence has been equally impressive. The Seminoles, once a perennial powerhouse under legendary coach Bobby Bowden, found themselves mired in mediocrity for much of the 2010s. With the rise of ACC rivals like Clemson, Florida State struggled to regain its former glory, leading to the dismissal of head coach Jimbo Fisher in 2017 and the hiring of Willie Taggart. After Taggart’s failed tenure, the program turned to Mike Norvell, a coach who had found success at Memphis but was still relatively unproven in Power Five football.
The 2020 season was a tumultuous one for Florida State. After suffering through a 3-6 record in Norvell’s first year, there were whispers that the program might be on the brink of collapse. However, Norvell’s decision to stick to his vision and rebuild from the ground up started to pay off in 2021. Slowly but surely, the Seminoles began to improve, particularly in recruiting, and by 2023, they had transformed into one of the most formidable teams in the country.
Florida State’s rise was powered by several key players, including quarterback Jordan Travis, whose evolution from a raw talent to a seasoned leader was one of the most significant stories of the 2023 season. Travis had endured early criticism for his inconsistent play, but under Norvell’s tutelage, he developed into one of the top quarterbacks in the country, showcasing his dual-threat ability and leading his team to crucial victories.
On the defensive side of the ball, Florida State became one of the most aggressive and opportunistic units in the nation. The addition of standout players like linebacker Kalen DeLoach and cornerback Jarrian Jones gave the Seminoles the playmaking ability to disrupt opposing offenses at critical moments. The defense, combined with a high-powered offense, allowed Florida State to take down several ranked teams throughout the season, including their signature victory over a top-ranked Clemson team that had dominated the ACC for years.
By the end of the 2023 season, Florida State had not only rebuilt its program, but it had firmly re-entered the conversation as a legitimate national title contender. Norvell’s leadership, coupled with the team’s on-field success, allowed Florida State to regain its place among college football’s elite programs.
Resilience: A Common Thread
The successes of Georgia Tech and Florida State in 2023 share a common theme: resilience. Both programs had faced significant adversity in recent years, and for a time, their futures appeared uncertain. Yet through determination, strong leadership, and a collective commitment to improvement, they both managed to turn their fortunes around.
For Georgia Tech, it was the leadership of Brent Key that brought hope back to the program. His ability to rally the team, implement a new identity, and build a cohesive unit laid the foundation for the Yellow Jackets’ resurgence. For Florida State, Mike Norvell’s steady vision and commitment to rebuilding from the ground up paid off with one of the best seasons in recent memory.
Ultimately, the stories of Georgia Tech and Florida State serve as reminders that in college football, success is never guaranteed, and the path to greatness is often filled with setbacks. However, with the right leadership and an unwavering belief in the process, even when all hope seems lost, programs can rise again and achieve greatness.
