Surging ACC Coach Linked to Pivotal SEC Opening That Makes Total Sense

As the calendar turns to November, we are still waiting for the first college football coaching carousel shoe to drop. There has been a lot of smoke surrounding former Penn State coach James Franklin and Virginia Tech.

There is no doubt that, currently, Franklin is the biggest name available. Where he lands is anybody’s guess with some big-time openings out there. It wouldn’t be surprising to see him land at one of the SEC openings at either LSU, Auburn, Arkansas, or Florida.

When it comes to the openings, the SEC is clearly the coveted one. The opening at Auburn will be interesting to see how and where the school goes to select its next hire. One name linked to the position is Georgia Tech’s Brent Key. Could he leave his current spot in Atlanta for Auburn?

Georgia Tech Coach Brent Key Continues to Be Linked to Auburn

Key has the Yellow Jackets in the thick of the ACC race despite their first loss at North Carolina State last weekend. His name keeps coming up at different openings, and Blake Toppmeyer of USA Today had an interesting landing spot for Key in the SEC.

“Key’s been a revelation for his alma mater. His Yellow Jackets are a playoff contender, even after losing to NC State. His teams run the ball well. Can you think of a school that might appreciate that? Perhaps the school where Bo Jackson played?,” wrote Toppmeyer.

Yes, Key would be a great hire for Auburn, but maybe the biggest reason to go after Key for the Tigers is his recruiting success. He would be recruiting against Alabama, and he knows the area well after growing up there.

“If Key isn’t a top target for Auburn, the school’s doing this wrong. Birmingham and Atlanta are pivotal recruiting outposts for Auburn. Key grew up near Birmingham, and his Georgia Tech tenure gives him Atlanta bona fides. He’d restore physicality missing from Auburn’s offensive line. As badly as Auburn needs quarterback improvement, Tigers fans also appreciate a good ground game. Jimbo Fisher couldn’t figure out what to do with quarterback Haynes King. Playing for Key, King became a star,” Toppmeyer added.

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