A month ago, we looked at who the ACC COY of the candidates were. Well, at the just past mid point of the season we’re looking at the opposite. The coaching jobs so poor that they must be called out as the ACC coaches dunces of the year.
Brent Key, Georgia Tech
Brent Key is probably leading things at this point. Everything he’s done since early November 2025 has backfired, bringing to question if Key is the long-term answer in Atlanta. His coordinator hires have ranged from below average in OC George Godsey to an unmitigated disaster with DC Jason Semore. His team is 2-5 (1-3), and the rash of injuries is only a factor in the nightmare season.
Dabo Swinney, Clemson
Swinney once could hold his own with Nick Saban, now Clemson is a second-rate ACC program, and this year hasn’t inspired any confidence. The Tigers sit 4-3 (2-2) with uncompetitive losses to LSU and Miami. His hire of OC Chad Morris has produced one of the worst offenses in the country, and his management of the QB position in the off-season not looking towards the portal has cost Clemson dearly. Clemson missing a bowl is a very real possibility, though I think they’ll win a couple of more games and sneak in with 6 or 7 wins.
Fran Brown, Syracuse
Fran Brown was in position to really push Brent Key for this award, but Syracuse came up with an inspired 31-30 win over UNC in Chapel Hill Saturday. The Orange sit 3-4 (1-4), and Brown’s 10 season 2 years ago looks like a fluke. One thing that is keeping Brown just above Key and Swinney is that Syracuse has been in every game. Their worst loss is only by 14 points.
If you’ve been fired like Dave Doeren was for NC State, you’ve saved yourself the indignity of being on this list. Mike Norvell could always be on a list like this, but I can’t put him in the category of the other 3 at this point. FSU has at least shown signs of life. If FSU loses to Clemson, though, we might have to swap Swinney and Norvell. Virginia’s Tony Elliot and Cal’s Tosh Lupoi haven’t exactly done a strong job this season either.
At just past mid-season, though, the coaching dunce award seems to be Key’s to lose.
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