Here we go again, annother week, another coaching rumor. One that links Brent Key to a big-time job. This time, it’s Penn State.
It feels less like a real report, and more like people trying to stir the pot. Let’s get one thing straight. These rumors did not start in Atlanta. They came from circles looking for a distraction from what is happening in Happy Valley, and attenton.
Brent Key linked to replacing James Franklin at Penn State… but Cellini isn’t buying it. He names a better fit for the Nittany Lions.👀@CelliniNick @chrisdimino pic.twitter.com/QE0Q8DJpmq
— 680 The Fan (@680TheFan) October 9, 2025
James Franklin’s seat is scorching hot after back-to-back losses, including an ugly one to previously winless UCLA. Fans are restless. The media’s piling on, and the $50 million buyout hanging over James Franklin’s contract makes the situation even messier. So, what is the easiest move when a powerhouse program is struggling? Float another coach’s name. Enter Brent Key.
A Successful Rebuild
Since taking over at Georgia Tech in 2022, Key has rebuilt the Jackets from the ground up. He took a team that went 10–28 over four years and turned them into a winner again. Tech has stacked three straight solid seasons and plays with an edge fans have not seen in a decade.
Key’s a Georgia Tech grad, an Alabama native, and one of the most respected young coaches. He is not going anywhere unless it’s the right fit. Yes, his buyout drops to $3 million in January, but that’s not an open invitation, that’s just a number.
Penn State Is Not The Move
Penn State might not fire Franklin and if they do, there are Big 10 coaching options. Like Curt Cignetti, and Penn State Alumn Matt Rhule. Neither is a guaranteed hire, but more logical than Brent Key.
Key’s track record and Alabama pedigree make him a hot name. But his deep southern roots. Georgia Tech loyalty, and stable success make the Penn State chatter seem forced. The Penn State talk feels more like noise than news, more agenda than analysis.Bottom line? Brent Key isn’t chasing headlines or job offers. He’s building something real at Georgia Tech. The people fueling these rumors aren’t reporting, they’re fishing.