Brent Key Appears To Make Decision On His Future At Georgia Tech

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Brent Key Appears To Make Decision On His Future At Georgia Tech

It's hard to recall another year where so many high-profile college football head coaching jobs have become vacant at the same time. Naturally, the top targets for teams like LSU, Penn State, Auburn and Florida are going to be established coaches who have turned losers into winners.

One such coach is Georgia Tech's Brent Key, who has his Yellow Jackets in position for both an ACC title and a trip to the College Football Playoff. As you might expect, he's getting a lot of buzz for the open coaching jobs.

But Key wanted to make it clear that he has no plans on taking any such job. Speaking to the media this week, Key made it clear that his lifelong goal has been to take Georgia Tech to the exact spot that they're in now and hopes to continue building the program for years to come. He then declared that you can cut him open and "see what colors I bleed."

“Since I came back here, since I was named the head coach here, outside of the time with my family, every waking second of my life, has gone towards building this program, to get to the point that it is right now,” Key said via On3.

“So that in turn we can continue three years from now, five years from now, 10 years from now, continue to elevate this place to be in that conversation. Not to be in there for two or three weeks, but to be a consistent team, not when you lose one game, have people say the story book is over. Nah, it’s just the beginning. Slice me open and see what colors I bleed.”

Key has been passionate about Georgia Tech football for the better part of 30 years. He was a star offensive lineman for the Yellow Jackets from 1997 to 2000 and got his first coaching job there after graduating. After a decade at UCF and a successful run as O-line coach under Nick Saban for three years, he returned to his alma mater as assistant head coach in 2019 and was promoted to interim head coach then full head coach in 2022.

Despite all of that, doubts remain over whether he'll be able to resist the potential offers out that can double or even triple his $4.5 million salary

Oct 25, 2025; Atlanta, Georgia, USA; Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets head coach Brent Key celebrates after a victory over the Syracuse Orange at Bobby Dodd Stadium at Hyundai Field. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-Imagn ImagesBrett Davis-Imagn Images

"They'll have to carry me out of here in a pine box"

That infamous line by former Ole Miss head coach Tommy Tuberville – one week before taking the head coaching job at Auburn – is why no one will ever take a head coach at his word.

Fans have been burned far too many times by coaches who openly declare that they would not leave for another school mere months – sometimes even days – before doing exactly that. Tuberville and Nick Saban are just two of the most famous examples of this.

We've seen a handful of coaches already cash in on the success they've enjoyed this year to the tune of big time extensions. But Key has signed no such extension – yet.

Will Key stay true to his word, or will he walk when the money talks?

This story was originally reported by The Spun on Nov 6, 2025, where it first appeared in the College Football section. Add The Spun as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

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