Brent Key, in his third year with Georgia Tech, is on fire. After taking the reins from Geoff Collins, who never won more than three games in a season, Key has made bowl games quite a ritual over the last few years. He has also earned his stripes of winning the big games, evidenced by insane wins over elite teams like Miami, Florida State, North Carolina, Florida State, and others. How could you forget the stupendous Georgia match to eight overtimes last season? Despite not being able to win the game, they put up a formidable fight. Heading into the spring, Coach Key seems to have cracked the code of the current NIL landscape after a good evaluation of the game.

This season can turn out to be a breakout year for Key. The Yellow Jackets have already been making the waves as a dark horse power in the ACC, which could mean a potential run at the playoff. They are going strong and steady with their old class back on both sides of the ball, including quarterback Haynes King. The schedule also seems to favour them for the first time in Key’s three years. After a bit experimental Colorado opener on the road, it should be a winning streak for Key. Neither of those, Clemson, Gardner-Webb, or Temple, will seem to block their path.

Does the spring carry the glimpse of an early success? Their deep running back room seemed an asset. While Malachi Hosley is yet to suit up, Trelain Maddox came out healthy and had some really good runs. 39 yards for seven carries wasn’t a bad flex. The ride, as usual, has been a rollercoaster. “Of course, you have things that come up, and you know, guys do things that are coachable moments, they’re teaching moments.” Coach Key divulged his vision over the team’s good going during an interview with the ACC network, “and we came out healthy and looking forward to the summer.”

To more relief, Key got a blueprint of the portal season. Look at the big picks like Penn State cornerback Jon Mitchell, Colorado safety Savion Riley, Georgia State DB Jyron Gilmore, and others! The roster is bolstering, and you can’t unsee. But still, the tumultuous NIL era doesn’t give you the luxury to sit back and chill. But Key, on the good part. has figured out the reason behind losing or gaining a commit.

“There’s there’s three reasons why kids either stay or transfer when it comes to that, and it’s a little. There’ three things in all the research that we’ve done and looked at are the bonds, the relationships, the culture, the friendship, you know, in the locker room,” Key flaunted the amicable feature of his locker room led by six-year veterans like Haynes King. “There’s, you know, development for the next level and the chase of championships.  Then the third one’s the money part. The monetary part, and you know what order that is for each kid,” added the prudent head coach.

In the NIL-dominated era, no one can really ignore the money factor when choosing their school. Key knows that’s a parameter, and he doesn’t have an issue with that. But commitment comes with a no-expiry clause for the Yellow Jackets’ head coach.

Brent Key’s non-compromising attitude towards commitment 

“Are you committed to the job you’re doing? Commitment shows. You can’t be half-in and half-out. To run a program and build a program, you have to be committed to it,” the third-year head coach spoke about the utmost value he put on the commitment ideology. Under the NIL influence, it sounds like a fool’s paradise.

But going strict with your guys, like Josh Heupel, has also been an answer. Money can talk, surely, but a coach’s ethics can talk back. For Key, there’s a difference between recruiting and commitment, with the latter indicating a deep bond between the school and the commit.

“They think they can just freaking flip and flop a commitment. No. That’s not the case for me. A commitment is firm,” said Key. However, the standard of three of the previous ideals can bring magic in Key’s Georgia Tech era, but executing those on points will be a thing. However, Key isn’t just demanding, he is delivering as well. He wants a serious commitment from his recruits both in their studies and sports. The reward?

Well, Key said he’s determined to make each of their guys a first-round draft pick. While technically it might sound overwhelming, the aspirations will carve out the path. Since the no-to-do agenda is not lopsided, they can hope to build a fairytale roster.