BRENT KEY
OFFENSIVE LINE • SIXTH YEAR AT UCF • GEORGIA TECH, 2001 In his sixth campaign at UCF, Brent Key is in his second season as the program’s offensive line coach. Key had previously spent two years as the Knights’ tight ends/ special teams coordinator. He originally joined the Knights prior to the 2005 season as the offensive graduate assistant coach. The progress in UCF’s offensive line was quite evident in 2009 as UCF improved from 229.5 yards per game in 2008 to 340.8 in 2009, one of the five-largest jumps in the nation. Right tackle Jah Reid earned first-team All-Conference USA honors for his work in 2009. While with the Knights, Key helped tight end Mike Merritt develop into a professional prospect. Merritt had 14 catches for 161 yards as a senior in 2007 and was a seventh-round selection of the Kansas City Chiefs in the 2008 National Football League Draft. Merritt proved to be one of the best run-blocking tight ends in the country, helping the Knights set a program record with 3,287 rushing yards in 2007. Corey Rabazinski also had a strong campaign for the Knights in 2007. He totaled 10 catches for 66 yards with two scores. Working with Key in 2006, Rabazinski developed into one of UCF’s top receiving threats as a true freshman when he recorded 12 catches for 145 yards. During Key’s time in Orlando, the Knights have participated in a pair of bowl games, including the 2007 AutoZone Liberty Bowl. In 2007, UCF went 10-4 and claimed the C-USA Championship. A former standout at Georgia Tech under George O’Leary, Key was a four-year starter (1997-00) for the Yellow Jackets at right guard. During his career, he helped Georgia Tech rank in the top three in the Atlantic Coast Conference in rushing all four years. Key started 44 games for the Yellow Jackets and was part of a senior class that earned four-straight bowl berths, a first for the program since the 1950s. During Key’s sophomore year in 1998, Georgia Tech went 10-2, earned a share of the ACC title and participated in the Gator Bowl. In 2000, Key was an All-ACC selection. He helped Georgia Tech rank in the top-20 nationally in total offense, passing offense and scoring offense. Key was also part of an offensive line that led the league in fewest sacks allowed with 16, including only 14 by the starting five. He earned ACC Offensive Lineman of the Week honors after his performance against Maryland, when he helped the Yellow Jackets record 547 yards of total offense. Following his senior season, Key played in the Rotary Gridiron Classic in Orlando. Key began his coaching career at Georgia Tech in 2001 as the offensive graduate assistant coach under O’Leary. Prior to joining the staff at UCF, he worked at Western Carolina in 2004, coaching the tight ends and fullbacks. Coaching Experience • UCF, 2005-Present Offensive Line (2009-), Tight Ends/Special Teams (2008), Recruiting Coordinator (2007), Graduate Assistant (2005-06) • Western Carolina, 2004 Tight Ends/Fullbacks • Georgia Tech, 2001-02 Graduate Assistant
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