Temple‘s Geoff Collins has emerged as the front-runner to become new coach of the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets, and a decision might come in the next few days, sources told ESPN on Thursday.
Collins, a native of Conyers, Georgia, has a 15-10 record in two seasons at Temple in his first college head-coaching position. He was a graduate assistant at Georgia Tech from 1999 to 2001 and served as its recruiting coordinator in 2006.
Sources told ESPN that Collins, 47, met with Georgia Tech athletics director Todd Stansbury in New York on Wednesday. Yahoo Sports earlier reported that Collins met with Stansbury and other Georgia Tech officials.
Collins would replace former Tech coach Paul Johnson, who resigned last week, after compiling an 82-59 record in 11 seasons. Johnson will coach the Yellow Jackets against Minnesota in the Dec. 26 Quick Lane Bowl (5:15 p.m. ET, ESPN/ESPN App).
Los Angeles Chargers offensive coordinator Ken Whisenhunt, a former Georgia Tech tight end, removed himself from consideration for the job on Thursday, a source told ESPN’s Adam Schefter.
Collins is a former defensive coordinator at Florida in 2015-16, Mississippi State from 2011 to 2014 and Florida International in 2010. He played linebacker at Western Carolina, which is also Johnson’s alma mater.
The Owls went 8-4, 7-1 in the American Athletic Conference this season, after going 7-6 in Collins’ first season. They upset Maryland 35-14 on the road and won six of their last seven games.
Temple plays Duke in the Dec. 27 Walk-On’s Independence Bowl (1:30 p.m. ET, ESPN/ESPN App).