Following James Franklin’s firing, Penn State is moving quickly to find its next head coach. For now, interim coach Terry Smith is holding down the fort, but the administration is already deep in search mode for a long-term leader who can revive the Nittany Lions’ program.
Multiple high-profile names, from Matt Rhule to Lane Kiffin, have been floated, but recent buzz has centered around Georgia Tech’s Brent Key and Louisville’s Jeff Brohm.
Who is The ACC Coach Emerging as a Realistic Option Amid Brent Key’s Complications
According to some reports, Key is expected to interview for the Penn State job during Georgia Tech’s bye week. The report originated from PSUNationRec on X, which stated, “Brent Key is interviewing for the PSU job next week when Georgia Tech is on a bye.”
This development initially offered a sense of optimism to a Penn State fan base desperate for direction. After all, Key’s turnaround at Georgia Tech has been one of the more impressive stories in college football. Taking over a struggling program midway through 2022, he’s transformed the Yellow Jackets into an 8-1 ACC powerhouse, including several wins over ranked opponents.
The parallels to Penn State’s situation are clear; both programs required a culture reset and on-field discipline. However, luring Key away from Georgia Tech could prove extremely difficult.
He’s a Tech alumnus, deeply rooted in the South, and his contract includes a manageable but notable buyout clause that drops from $4 million to $3 million on January 1. While Penn State could easily afford that figure, breaking those Southern ties could be the real obstacle.
That’s precisely why some CFB insiders are now urging Penn State to look elsewhere, particularly toward Louisville head coach Jeff Brohm. On the “Locked On Nittany Lions” podcast, host Zach Seyko provided an in-depth comparison between Georgia Tech’s Brent Key and Louisville’s Jeff Brohm.
Seyko began by acknowledging that Key’s success at Georgia Tech has been impressive and that, under the right circumstances, he could thrive at a major program like Penn State.
However, Seyko then shifted the discussion to a more practical consideration — the difficulty of actually prying Key away from his alma mater. Georgia Tech’s deep ties to Key, combined with his Southern roots and lack of familiarity with the Northeast, could complicate any potential move.
“Another ACC coach that should get a lot of attention here, and I’ve heard this name pop up quite a bit recently, is Jeff Brohm,” explained Seyko. “And it’s going to be the same situation, like I mentioned with Brent Key. Key is an alum of Georgia Tech, which makes it a tough sell, especially when he has no connections to the Northeast.”
Jeff Brohm is asked about his name being mentioned in national searches: “We’ve got good resources here. We’ve got a good football team. For me, it’s concentrating on the season and worrying about the next game, and that’s what we’re doing.”
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He then expanded on Brohm’s credentials, pointing out how the Louisville head coach has consistently exceeded expectations throughout his career.
“Jeff Brohm, on the other hand, has been in the Big Ten. He coached at Purdue and is an alum of Louisville. But the reason Penn State is so interested in Jeff Brohm is because he’s succeeded more with less at Louisville in the ACC. He’s succeeded everywhere he’s been, Western Kentucky, Purdue, and now Louisville. He’s truly proven. Brent Key is still relatively new as a head coach.
“If I had to prefer one of the two? Honestly, Jeff Brohm, because he’s been in the Big Ten. At Purdue, he was upsetting top-five teams like Michigan State, Iowa, and Ohio State. So imagine what he could do with the support from Penn State,” said Seyko.
While Key represents an emerging coach with upside and cultural appeal, Brohm offers a more established track record and a demonstrated ability to compete and win against elite programs.
Urban Meyer’s Exit From Contention, and the Tough Road Ahead for Penn State
Brohm signed a six-year, $30 million deal with Louisville in 2023, with an extension that raised his salary to $6.5 million through 2029. Still, his Big Ten experience and proven success make him an attractive and realistic target for Penn State.
Meanwhile, Urban Meyer’s name briefly resurfaced in connection with the job, but he reaffirmed that he has “no desire” to return to coaching despite behind-the-scenes conversations. That effectively closed the door on a potential comeback.
Penn State’s path forward remains steep, as the team currently sits 3-5 overall and 0-5 in Big Ten play, with upcoming matchups against Indiana, Michigan State, Nebraska, and Rutgers. According to the PFSN College Football Playoff Meter, the Nittany Lions have a 0.0% chance to make the playoff, ranking 55th in power rating with projected totals of 4.7 wins and 7.3 losses.
With Curt Cignetti and Rhule off the board due to contract extensions, the Penn State coaching race is narrowing. Meyer has likely removed himself from contention, and Key’s ties to Georgia Tech make his candidacy complicated.
That leaves Brohm as perhaps the most practical, proven, and enticing option, a coach with a track record of building winners in both the ACC and Big Ten.
