In the midst of a four-game losing streak, Georgia Tech made some major changes ahead of Saturday’s game at Clemson, with head coach Brent Key shaking up his coaching staff.
The Yellow Jackets’ staff shakeup featured four coaches being fired. As part of the changes, former Clemson star wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins has been elevated to primary wide receivers coach.
Hopkins, a five-time NFL Pro Bowler and five-time All-Pro, originally joined Georgia Tech’s coaching staff as assistant wide receivers coach ahead of the 2026 campaign.
During his radio show Monday night, Clemson head coach Dabo Swinney commented on Hopkins being elevated to primary wide receivers coach at Georgia Tech and what it will be like to coach against Hopkins this weekend at Clemson’s Memorial Stadium.
Swinney said he is proud of Hopkins and believes he will do a great job in the role. He acknowledged the chaotic circumstances surrounding the staff shakeup at Georgia Tech but noted that Hopkins has been on the staff all season and already knew the players.
“Nuk – in fact, I just got an email from his mom tonight, as a matter of fact – but I’m proud of him,” Swinney said. “He says he’s not retired yet [from the NFL], but the coordinator there [offensive coordinator George Godsey] was his coach for the Texans. So he kind of came in, I think basically working as like an intern assistant receiver coach.
“But breaking news today, they fired like four coaches. So, kind of a crazy deal. But shoot, he’s been there all year, so he knows ‘em and you know he’ll do a great job.”
Swinney added that it will be strange to see Hopkins standing on the opposing sideline when the Yellow Jackets visit Death Valley.
“That will be weird seeing him over on the other sideline, that’s for sure,” Swinney said.
Prior to joining Georgia Tech’s staff, Hopkins spent the opening days of training camp with the New England Patriots as a trial run to explore a post-playing coaching path. He had reached out to shadow the staff, and during his short time with New England, he wore coaching gear, assisted New England’s offensive coaches and met with the personnel department.
Over his 13-year NFL career, the 34-year-old Hopkins amassed 1,006 receptions for 13,295 yards and 85 touchdowns over 195 games during his career with the Texans, Cardinals, Titans, Chiefs and Ravens after being selected by Houston in the first round of the 2013 NFL Draft (No. 27 overall pick).
During his Clemson career from 2010-12, Hopkins had 206 receptions for 3,020 yards and 27 touchdowns over 39 games (32 starts). He exited Clemson ranking first in school history in receiving yards, first in receiving touchdowns, first in 100-yard receiving games (12) and second in receptions.
Saturday’s game between the Tigers (6-3, 4-2 ACC) and Yellow Jackets (2-7, 1-5) is set to kick off at 12:30 p.m. and will be televised on The CW.
