Georgia Tech has added one of the NFL’s most accomplished wide receivers to its coaching staff ahead of a marquee 2026 season opener against Colorado, giving Brent Key’s offense an experienced voice before the Yellow Jackets take on Deion Sanders and the Buffaloes in Atlanta.
The school announced that five-time All-Pro DeAndre Hopkins will serve as an assistant wide receivers coach. Hopkins was recently on campus working with the team and confirmed on social media that, while he has joined Georgia Tech’s staff, he has not officially retired from the NFL.
In a post on X, Hopkins emphasized that his playing career is not necessarily over but also used the opportunity to recruit talented receivers, encouraging anyone who wants to develop at the position to come to Georgia Tech.
Hopkins’ move comes shortly after he stepped away from an assistant coaching role with the New England Patriots under Mike Vrabel. During the 2025 NFL season, he played for the Baltimore Ravens, recording 22 catches for 330 yards and two touchdowns. Across 13 NFL seasons, Hopkins built a Hall of Fame-caliber résumé with more than 13,000 receiving yards, 85 touchdowns and five first-team All-Pro selections, ranking among the league’s all-time leading receivers.
At 34 years old, Hopkins has left the possibility of another NFL opportunity open, but his immediate focus is helping develop Georgia Tech’s receiving corps.
His arrival also adds another intriguing storyline to the Yellow Jackets’ season opener against Colorado. Sanders has made headlines throughout his coaching career by surrounding himself with former NFL stars, though the Buffaloes’ coaching staff no longer features as many former professional standouts after the departures of Warren Sapp and Marshall Faulk.
Colorado still boasts several coaches with NFL experience alongside Sanders, but Georgia Tech now counters with one of the greatest wide receivers in league history working directly with its offense.
The Yellow Jackets are also expected to hand the offense to transfer quarterback Alberto Mendoza, who arrives from Indiana. Pairing a new quarterback with Hopkins’ experience in developing wide receivers gives Georgia Tech another reason for optimism entering the matchup with Colorado.
Head coach Brent Key praised Hopkins’ addition, saying his impact extends well beyond his accomplishments as a player and that his knowledge and leadership will provide tremendous value to the program.
The Sept. 3 opener marks the second game in a home-and-home series between the programs. Georgia Tech won last season’s meeting 27-20 in Boulder, and this year’s rematch will be played in Atlanta with kickoff scheduled for 8 p.m. ET on ESPN.
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