After a poor 3–4 start to the season, Florida decided to fire head coach Billy Napier.
The Gators have since turned their attention to finding a championship-level replacement, but competition remains high with Penn State, LSU, Auburn, among others, also looking for new head coaches.
Many experts have predicted that the Gators’ top target is Ole Miss head coach Lane Kiffin, one of the most coveted names in this year’s coaching cycle. Along with Florida, Kiffin has been linked to the LSU job, with some speculating that Kiffin could take his talents to the NFL.
If Kiffin takes another head coaching job, or remains at Ole Miss, where he is competing for a spot in the College Football Playoff, where will Florida go?
According to CBS Sports, the Gators may turn to an unexpected option with strong Florida ties, who have built an unlikely program into a national contender.
Georgia Tech head coach Brent Key was named the “Plan B” option for the Gators if Florida fails to secure Lane Kiffin.
In his four seasons at Georgia Tech, Key has compiled an overall record of 27–18 with two bowl appearances. The Yellow Jackets are currently 9-2 (6-2 ACC) this season, including an 8-0 start where Georgia Tech finished in the top 10 of the AP Top 25.
Before returning to his alma mater, Key was the offensive line coach at Alabama from 2016–18. Key helped the Crimson Tide win the CFP national championship in 2017. He spent 11 seasons at UCF, working in various assistant roles before stepping into an assistant head coaching role in 2012.
In December, Key signed an extension with Georgia Tech, keeping him in Atlanta through 2029. He is projected to make $4.15 million this season, but his base salary will increase by $100,000 each year. Over the next five seasons, he is projected to make just over $21 million, not including incentives.
When asked about being linked to other jobs earlier this season, Key attempted to calm the speculation.
“It’s nice. It’s nice. But not for me. For this program,” Key said. “Since I’ve been back here, since I was hired as the head coach here, every waking moment of my life, other than time with my family, has been spent building this program to get to the point it is at now.
“… No, this is just the beginning… Cut me and see what color my blood comes out.”
It remains to be seen if the Gators can win the Kiffin sweepstakes, but they could turn to one of the hottest names in the current coaching cycle. It may not be a flashy hire, but it could be what Florida needs to become an SEC contender again.
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