Coach and AD dismissed, former player named interim coach

In statements, Cabrera expressed his gratitude to Collins for his hard work and commitment to his players.

“Unfortunately, the results of our football program have fallen short of what our loyal community, fans and athletes expect and deserve,” he said. “We are committed to rebuilding the program and a coaching change is a necessary first step in that process.”

He said Stansbury will always be respected and admired in the Tech community and that his dedication and love for Tech and its athletes are admirable.

“The challenges the athletic program has faced in recent years have grown to a point where we need to try a new approach, and that requires new leadership,” said Cabrera, who was not made available for an interview.

Frank Neville, Cabrera’s chief of staff and the senior vice president of strategic initiatives, has been named interim AD. Neville is Cabrera’s right-hand man and came with Cabrera from George Mason in 2019. The fact that Cabrera installed an interim from outside of the athletic department and not one of Stansbury’s subordinates may be an indicator that more changes could be coming.

Offensive line coach Brent Key, a Tech alumnus, has been tapped as the interim coach. Key, an All-ACC performer playing for coach George O’Leary 1997-2000, was one of Collins’ initial hires. The final eight games of the regular season, starting with the Yellow Jackets’ game Saturday at Pitt, could be an opportunity for Key to make a case for his earning the full-time position.

Athletic department staff were informed of Stansbury and Collins’ dismissals at a late-morning meeting Monday in the football team meeting room. Cabrera and Neville addressed the staff in the brief conference. Neville is not believed to be a candidate for the full-time job.

Of Tech’s 13 full-time head coaches, Collins has become the fifth to be fired and the second (following Bill Lewis in 1994) to lose his job before the end of the season.

In a text, a Tech staffer termed Monday a “surreal day, but we have to move forward. Our concern is, as it always should be, the amazing and resilient student-athletes.”

Another member of the staff: “Todd treated coaches, staff and student-athletes with respect, dignity and fairness. He led with integrity. He loves Georgia Tech and it showed.”

Of Tech’s nine full-time ADs, Stansbury becomes the first to be dismissed. It could be that none cherished the job more than Stansbury, a Tech grad (1984) and former football player. He was hired in 2016 from Oregon State and had aspired to sit in the same position performed with distinction by Homer Rice, the AD when Stansbury was in school and his eventual mentor.

“It’s like a member of the family, because I’ve always felt that way about our players, and he was one of our players,” Tech great Bill Curry said of Stansbury in an interview with the AJC. “I’m just sorry for all concerned.”

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