Georgia Tech Promotes Hopkins to Primary WR Coach
Former NFL star DeAndre Hopkins takes on the primary wide receivers coaching role after Georgia Tech fired four coaches.
Updated on Nov. 9, 2026 in Football
Georgia Tech elevated DeAndre Hopkins to primary wide receivers coach following a wave of firings that relieved four coaches of their duties. Hopkins, who joined the program as an assistant at the end of July, will coach his first game against Clemson this Saturday in Death Valley.
Why it matters
The promotion comes as Georgia Tech's offense has scored 28 combined points in its last two games, putting pressure on the position group. Head coach Brent Key said Hopkins has the makings of a future head coach.
Hopkins is a three-time First-Team All-Pro and 34 years old, and last played in the NFL in January. Sophomores Jordan Allen (49 receptions, 576 yards) and Dalen Penson (500 yards, two touchdowns) are the team's leading receivers, though how the coaching change will affect their production remains unknown.
The players
DeAndre Hopkins
A three-time First-Team All-Pro wide receiver who spent his NFL career with the Houston Texans and Baltimore Ravens before moving into coaching.
Brent Key
The head football coach at Georgia Tech who praised Hopkins as having the makings of a future head coach.
George Godsey
Georgia Tech's offensive coordinator, who previously worked with Hopkins on the Houston Texans and Baltimore Ravens.
The details
Hopkins joined the Georgia Tech program as an assistant at the end of July and previously played with offensive coordinator George Godsey on the Houston Texans and Baltimore Ravens. The move was reported by On3's Pete Nakos, and the transition with Godsey is expected to be seamless.
Timeline
End of July: Hopkins joins Georgia Tech as an assistant.
January: Hopkins last plays in the NFL.
This Saturday: Hopkins coaches his first game as WR coach against Clemson in Death Valley.
Season Trajectory
Georgia Tech's coaching overhaul comes as the program's offense has struggled, with the wide receiver room now central to its rebuild. Hopkins' elevation offers a test of whether a former NFL standout can accelerate development in a unit that has already produced its leading sophomores.
Fantasy managers tracking Georgia Tech receivers Jordan Allen and Dalen Penson should watch how their target share shifts under the new coaching setup. The next few weeks under Hopkins could be vital for both sophomores' growth.
The takeaway
Hands-on experience from a recent NFL career can shorten the path from player to position coach, but results on the field will determine whether the move pays off. Watch the wide receiver production over the next several games to gauge the impact.
What happens next
Hopkins coaches his first game as primary wide receivers coach against Clemson this Saturday in Death Valley.
Further reading
For more on the team's recent struggles, see Atlanta Football coverage.
Source note: This article includes information reported by ClutchPoints.
