Texas HC Steve Sarkisian: “Blake is an outstanding coach who has worked extremely hard for the opportunity to be a defensive coordinator. We couldn’t be more grateful for all he did to coach and develop our safeties the past four years. He has great knowledge of the game, is detail-oriented and driven, passionate about the players and builds great relationships with them on and off the field.”

“He is an awesome staff member who was an incredible resource for us as a former player here and in all aspects of our program. We’ll certainly miss him but are excited for this opportunity for him and his family. He’ll do great things for Georgia Tech.”

Blake Gideon Bids Farewell to Texas

In a move that signals a significant step forward in his coaching career, Blake Gideon has officially left Texas to become the new defensive coordinator at Georgia Tech. The former Longhorns special teams coordinator and safeties coach bid an emotional farewell to Austin as he prepares to take on a bigger role in the ACC, leading the Yellow Jackets’ defense.

Gideon’s departure marks the end of his second stint with Texas, this time as a coach. He had been a key member of Steve Sarkisian’s defensive staff, playing a crucial role in the development of the Longhorns’ secondary and special teams units over the past three seasons. Now, he will get his first opportunity to coordinate an entire defense, taking charge of a Georgia Tech program looking to rebuild its identity in a competitive ACC landscape.

Blake Gideon’s Farewell to Texas

Gideon, who was a four-year starter at Texas from 2008-2011, expressed his gratitude to the Longhorns community in his farewell message.

“Texas will always be home. I have nothing but love and appreciation for this program, the players, the coaches, and the fans who have supported me every step of the way. The opportunity to coach here has been an honor, but I’m excited for what’s next at Georgia Tech. Austin will always have a special place in my heart.”

Gideon’s passion for Texas football is well-documented. After a playing career that included 52 consecutive starts at safety, he quickly moved into coaching, working his way up from smaller programs before returning to Austin in 2021 under Sarkisian. His coaching career has included stops at Florida, Houston, Ole Miss, and Georgia State, making him well-versed in both the SEC and ACC landscapes.

Why Georgia Tech Made the Move for Gideon

For Georgia Tech, hiring Gideon as defensive coordinator is a calculated move aimed at bringing fresh energy and expertise to a unit that has struggled in recent years. The Yellow Jackets finished near the bottom of the ACC in total defense, allowing big plays and struggling with consistency.

1. Bringing Texas-Style Toughness to Georgia Tech

One of the primary reasons Georgia Tech pursued Gideon is his defensive mindset and player development skills. While he primarily coached safeties and special teams at Texas, he played a key role in shaping the Longhorns’ defensive identity—a style Georgia Tech hopes to replicate.

• Gideon’s defenses are known for being aggressive, physical, and disciplined.
• His Texas experience gives him insight into elite-level defensive schemes, particularly from his time working alongside Pete Kwiatkowski and Gary Patterson.
• Georgia Tech wants to develop a defense capable of competing against ACC offenses, and Gideon’s experience at Texas has prepared him for that challenge.

2. Recruiting Ties and Connections

Gideon’s deep Texas roots also played a role in Georgia Tech’s decision. The Yellow Jackets are looking to expand their recruiting footprint, and having a coach with strong Texas high school connections could help them attract talent from the Lone Star State.

• Georgia Tech has been working to improve its recruiting pipeline, particularly in Texas, Georgia, and Florida.
• Gideon’s relationships with Texas high school coaches could be invaluable in recruiting defensive talent.

3. A Rising Star in the Coaching World

At only 34 years old, Gideon is considered one of the top young defensive minds in college football. His transition to defensive coordinator is seen as the next step in a rapidly rising career, and Georgia Tech wanted to secure him before bigger programs came calling.

• If Gideon succeeds in turning around Georgia Tech’s defense, he could be in line for even bigger jobs in the future, possibly as a Power Five head coach down the road.
• Georgia Tech is betting on his upside, hoping he can inject new energy and strategy into their struggling defense.

How This Affects Texas

Gideon’s departure leaves a vacancy on Texas’ defensive staff, particularly in special teams and the secondary. While Steve Sarkisian and Pete Kwiatkowski will look to replace him quickly, the timing is crucial as Texas prepares for its move to the SEC in 2024.

Possible Replacements for Gideon at Texas

Texas will likely target an experienced safeties coach or special teams coordinator to replace Gideon. Some potential candidates include:

1. Craig Naivar (Former Texas Safeties Coach, Current SMU DC)
   • Has previous experience at Texas and could make an easy transition back.
   • Currently serving as defensive coordinator at SMU, meaning Texas would need to lure him back with a strong offer.
2. Doug Belk (Houston Associate Head Coach/Defensive Backs Coach)
   • One of the best young defensive minds in the game, though he may be in line for bigger roles elsewhere.
3. Tashard Choice (Texas RB Coach, Possible Internal Promotion)
   • While he currently coaches running backs, Choice has been instrumental in Texas’ special teams development and could take on additional responsibilities.

Regardless of who replaces Gideon, Texas must ensure they continue developing their elite secondary and special teams units—both of which were strengths under Gideon.

What’s Next for Gideon and Georgia Tech?

With his hiring official, Gideon’s first task at Georgia Tech will be evaluating the current defensive roster and assembling his staff. He will need to:

• Implement his defensive philosophy and system before spring practices begin.
• Recruit aggressively to fill gaps in the roster, particularly in the secondary.
• Develop a culture of toughness and discipline to improve Georgia Tech’s defensive performance.

Can Gideon Turn Around Georgia Tech’s Defense?

The Yellow Jackets have been searching for defensive consistency for years. If Gideon can bring even a portion of the defensive success he helped establish at Texas, Georgia Tech could take a major step forward in the ACC.

• The move to hire a young, aggressive defensive coordinator shows that Georgia Tech is committed to building for the future.
• If successful, Gideon could become one of the top defensive coordinators in the country and position himself for a future head coaching job.

Final Thoughts: A Bittersweet Departure for Texas

Blake Gideon’s departure is both a loss and a sign of Texas’ continued success in developing top-tier coaches. While the Longhorns will miss his leadership, Georgia Tech is getting a rising star who could reshape their defensive future.

For Texas, the focus now shifts to finding the right replacement and maintaining momentum heading into their first SEC season in 2024. Meanwhile, for Gideon, this is a golden opportunity to prove himself as a defensive mastermind and take the next step in his coaching journey.

Longhorn fans will undoubtedly wish him well—but when Texas and Georgia Tech meet down the road, there’s no doubt Gideon will have his defense fired up and ready to compete.