Blake Gideon sends an emotional goodbye message to Longhorn Nation as he exits for promotion at ACC school
Blake Gideon is doing one of the hardest things imaginable by walking away from his alma mater. But that’s what coaches must do to further their career. The former Longhorn got a career promotion when he left Ole Miss to come back to Texas in 2021 and join Steve Sarkisian as the safeties coach at […]
Blake Gideon is doing one of the hardest things imaginable by walking away from his alma mater. But that’s what coaches must do to further their career.
The former Longhorn got a career promotion when he left Ole Miss to come back to Texas in 2021 and join Steve Sarkisian as the safeties coach at his alma mater. Now, Gideon is leaving the Horns for career advancement as the new defensive coordinator at Georgia Tech.
Gideon posted a heartfelt goodbye message on social media on Friday just before Tech officials released their announcement.
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“Not my style, but here it goes,” Gideon wrote. “Most exciting and most difficult week of my career. Too many people to thank. Sark, PK, TJ, you’re the best. My guys in the Room…I love you, keep setting your alarm, keep stepping into the ring, keep the standard.”
Nobody may be happier for Gideon than Sarkisian and defensive coordinator Pete Kwiatkowski, two coaches who know full well the importance of getting that first coordinator position. It’s a career-changing moment, especially when a coach lands a coordinator job at a Power Four school.
Even Texas athletic director Chris Del Conte posted, “Fired up for you Coach Gideon! Thanks for all you’ve done for Texas and wish you and your family nothing but the best!”
Georgia Tech’s official announcement touted Gideon’s work with Michael Taaffe, who started as a walk-on and rose to a starter, along with the continued development of Andrew Mukuba.
“Blake has done a remarkable job throughout his career of developing student-athletes and putting them in position to play winning defense,” Georgia Tech coach Brent Key said in a statement. “We’re looking forward to him doing the same here on The Flats.”
In Tech’s statement, Gideon said, “My family and I are excited to come to The Flats and join the Georgia Tech football family. I’m grateful to Coach Key for this opportunity and looking forward to working with him, the great staff that he’s assembled and an outstanding group of talented players. The future of Tech football is bright and I can’t wait to get to work.”
Back in Austin, Sarkisian will have some tremendous choices to fill that position. He could promote Michael Huff from assistant director of player development. There is no real rush to hire someone as recruiting is wrapped for the 2025 cycle, and spring practice — whatever form that may take — is still weeks away.
