ATLANTA (AP) — Jason Semore, who worked on coach Brent Key's first Georgia Tech staff in 2022, has returned as the Yellow Jackets' defensive coordinator.
Semore was linebackers coach at Georgia Tech in 2022 before being named interim special teams coach when Key was named interim coach. Key named Semore to head Georgia Tech's defense on Wednesday.
Key was the Southern Mississippi defensive coordinator in 2025 after previous stints heading the defenses at Marshall, Valdosta State, and Montana.
“He brings a lot of experience and success as a defensive play-caller," said Key in a statement released by the school. Key added he and Semore's "philosophies and vision for what our defense should look like — aggressive, causing negative plays and creative turnovers — are in complete alignment. I can’t wait to get to work with him and our defensive staff.”
Semore's Southern Miss defense led the nation with 23 interceptions and ranked third in total takeaways.
Semore replaces Blake Gideon, who has accepted a job as the Texas defensive pass game coordinator. Gideon was a defensive assistant for four years at Texas before leading the Georgia Tech defense in 2025.
Semore first coached at Georgia Tech as a defensive analyst in 2019 and 2020 before returning as linebackers coach in 2022.
Get poll alerts and updates on the AP Top 25 throughout the season. Sign up here. AP college football: https://apnews.com/hub/ap-top-25-college-football-poll and https://apnews.com/hub/college-football
Copyright 2026 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission.
Please purchase a Premium Subscription to continue reading.
To continue, please log in, or sign up for a new account.
We offer one free story view per month. If you register for an account, you will get two additional story views. After those three total views, we ask that you support us with a subscription.
A subscription to our digital content is so much more than just access to our valuable content. It means you’re helping to support a local community institution that has, from its very start, supported the betterment of our society. Thank you very much!
Only subscribers can view and post comments on articles.
Already a subscriber? Login Here
What the Constitution Means to Me Read moreWhat The Constitution Means To Me
Join us for community fun! Free antique and collectible appraisals by Clars Auction. Over 30… Read moreMillbrae Senior Showcase
Dirk van Ulden said:
Newell Post said:
Success! An email has been sent to with a link to confirm list signup.
Error! There was an error processing your request.
Sorry, an error occurred.
Already Subscribed!
Cancel anytime
Thank you .
Your account has been registered, and you are now logged in.
Check your email for details.
Submitting this form below will send a message to your email with a link to change your password.
An email message containing instructions on how to reset your password has been sent to the email address listed on your account.
No promotional rates found.
Secure & Encrypted
Thank you.
Your gift purchase was successful! Your purchase was successful, and you are now logged in.
| Rate: | |
| Begins: | |
| Transaction ID: |
A receipt was sent to your email.
(0) comments
Welcome to the discussion.
Log In
Keep the discussion civilized. Absolutely NO personal attacks or insults directed toward writers, nor others who make comments.
Keep it clean. Please avoid obscene, vulgar, lewd, racist or sexually-oriented language.
Don't threaten. Threats of harming another person will not be tolerated.
Be truthful. Don't knowingly lie about anyone or anything.
Be proactive. Use the 'Report' link on each comment to let us know of abusive posts.
PLEASE TURN OFF YOUR CAPS LOCK.
Anyone violating these rules will be issued a warning. After the warning, comment privileges can be revoked.