UCF offensive line coach Brent Key has been promoted to assistant head coach of the offense. George O’Leary and the football program officially announced the staff change late Thursday afternoon.
“I’m happy to name Brent Key as the assistant head coach of offense,” O’Leary said. “Charlie Taaffe remains the offensive coordinator, but this does give Brent more responsibilities in the offense. I’m promoting him because of what I’ve seen him accomplish here at UCF.”
Key will stay in charge of the offensive line as well, but this promotion will help him have a larger impact on the overall offensive coaching duties and could make him ready to take over as offensive coordinator in the event of a future coaching staff change for whatever reason. Key has also been serving UCF as the recruiting coordinator, and that will continue to be the case. Giving Key a promotion also serves as an incentive to keep him within the program. With the success the Knights have been having, it would not be a shock to see other programs approaching the two-time Broyles Award candidate with potential job offers. UCF has to be proactive when it comes to keeping a coaching staff together with the hope of maintaining some respectable level of stability.
“I am very thankful for Coach O’Leary for all of the opportunities he has given me,” Key said in a statement released by the school. “We are already deep in preparation for 2014, and we are anxious to continue to grow the program even further for our students, alumni and fans.”
UCF’s offense was one of the better overall units last season with quarterback Blake Bortles and running back Storm Johnson. Neither would have had the success they had if not for an impressive and cohesive offensive line unit in front of them. Bortles played his way to becoming a top quarterback or top overall draft pick option in the 2014 NFL Draft.
Photo: UCF Athletics