Rumors are swirling that Georgia Tech head coach Brent Key could be a potential candidate for Penn State if the Nittany Lions decide to move on from James Franklin. The idea has gained traction as Penn State’s season continues to fall short of expectations.
Pressure Mounting on James Franklin
James Franklin’s tenure at Penn State has come under heavy scrutiny. Despite strong recruiting and preseason hype, his teams have often struggled in the biggest games. This season has made things worse. The Nittany Lions have dropped back-to-back games. One to Oregon and another to previously winless UCLA, and fans are growing frustrated. However, firing Franklin won’t be easy. His contract still has a massive $50 million buyout, making any coaching change a costly move for Penn State’s athletic department.
Watch Now: https://t.co/ZNRvv0Op3Z
— 680 The Fan (@680TheFan) October 9, 2025
Brent Key’s Success Story at Georgia Tech
Since taking over at Georgia Tech in 2022, Brent Key has led one of the most impressive turnarounds in college football. He inherited a program that went 10–28 over four seasons and immediately restored competitiveness. After going 4–4 as interim head coach, Key delivered the school’s first seven-win season since 2018. Now in his fourth year, the Yellow Jackets have a .580 winning percentage and are on pace for a third straight winning season — something Tech hasn’t achieved in over a decade.
Before returning to his alma mater, Key spent time at Alabama under Nick Saban, helping the Crimson Tide win a national title. That experience, combined with his success in Atlanta, has put him on the radar of several major programs.
Still, pulling Key out of the South won’t be easy. He’s a Georgia Tech graduate, an Alabama native, and has spent nearly his entire coaching career at schools below the Mason-Dixon line. His buyout drops from $4 million to $3 million on January 1, a number that is very manageable to take care of.
At some point, a major program will take a chance on Brent Key. Whether that opportunity comes from Penn State or another power school remains to be seen. For now, Georgia Tech fans can enjoy the ride, and the coach who’s brought their program back to life.