Georgia Tech went from a system-based approach under Paul Johnson to a branding-based one under Geoff Collins, hoping to harness the advantages of Atlanta.
Unfortunately for the program, the only part of the ATL that translated were the L's. Hired prior to the 2019 season, Collins had 28 losses in 38 games as Georgia Tech's coach, including two ugly ones to begin this year. He was fired Monday, along with athletic director Todd Stansbury, as a program known for steadiness under Johnson and others plummeted to the bottom of the ACC and the Power 5.
Collins finished 10-28 overall and just 7-19 in the ACC.
Georgia Tech has been outscored 183-10 in its past four games against Power 5 opponents stretching back to 2021.
Collins, who ended last season promising "less branding, more coaching," entered 2022 on the hottest of seats. He also had a schedule that set him up to fail, beginning with Clemson but also featuring Georgia, Ole Miss and UCF in nonconference games. Collins ultimately couldn't become more than a hype man at Georgia Tech, and he exits along with Stansbury, who was never going to get another chance at a hire.
Georgia Tech has had significant financial problems stemming from facilities projects, bad coaching hires and other issues. But the program also has an excellent location and a history of being at least decent. Georgia Tech made bowl games every season from 1997 to 2014, recording eight AP Top 25 finishes, an Orange Bowl title in 2014 and was Orange Bowl runner-up in 2009. Coaches Paul Johnson, Chan Gailey and George O'Leary almost always had the team competitive in the ACC.
Simultaneous coach/AD changes are always a bit tricky to project, but Georgia Tech has a really solid candidate pool to choose from for Collins' replacement. Here's a look at some options, from the most likely to some long shots.