After being hired by Memphis, Charles Huff quickly put together his coaching staff for the 2026 season, including multiple coaches from Southern Miss. However according to reports, Huff will be looking for a new defensive coordinator.
Pete Thamel reported Saturday afternoon that Georgia Tech is set to hire Jason Semore for the same position on Brent Key’s staff just a few weeks after he was announced with the Tigers’ coaching staff. Semore has been on staff with the Yellow Jackets twice before becoming defensive coordinator, including spending the 2022 season as the linebackers coach.
Key was the associate head coach and later interim head coach during that season, so the two are familiar with each other. Georgia Tech was in the market for a new defensive coordinator after defensive coordinator Blake Gideon returned to Texas after one season on Key’s staff.
Gideon, who was in his first season as a defensive coordinator, took a defensive assistant job with the Longhorns just a few days ago. Gideon played at Texas and now returns to his alma mater.
Semore spent three seasons under Huff, and he was in charge of a defense that led the country in interceptions, with 21, and recorded 26 total takeaways. The defensive coordinator was also a 2025 FootballScoop Coach of the Year finalist.
With such a late coaching move, it’s unlikely that any of the other defensive coaches will follow Semore, but it’s something to watch. All of the defensive coaches on Huff’s staff followed from Southern Miss, and it’s unclear who will replace Semore on the Tigers’ staff.