Georgia's next Defensive Coordinator

          The departure of Mel Tucker will be the topic of discussion until a suitable replacement is found. Most UGA insiders believe that Glenn Schumann will be promoted from Inside Linebackers coach to the defensive coordinator position. However there are three other names also circulating. Current Oakland Raiders Defensive backs coach Derrick Ansley, Current Tennessee defensive coordinator Kevin Sherrer, and recently departed Ohio State defensive coordinator/assistant head coach  Greg Schiano.
          The overwhelming theme in the NCAA coaching search is to hire the new exciting young hit shot over the more experienced older coaches. We've also seen this trend in the NFL with coaches like Sean McVay, and Kliff Kingsbury. So if we are to assume that Kirby Smart, a young head coach himself, will follow this trend I think this comes down to either Schumann or Ansley.

Derrick Ansley 

           Derrick Ansley is a man after Kirby's own heart in that he worked his way up as a defensive backs coach. Starting at Huntington College  in 2005 and ultimately landing in Oakland as the Raiders DB coach. Along the way he also had stints with UCF, Kentucky, Tennessee, and Alabama twice including the 2011 and 2018 National Championship teams. Ansley was in the discussion for the head coaching job at his alma mater Troy, as well as being a finalist for a Big10 DC position. The 37 year old has been receiving high praise from, John Gruden and Nick Saban so he should be a strong contender but there are others to consider.

           

Glenn Schumann 

        Glenn Schumann has spent his entire college coaching career as an assistant of Kirby Smart. Their relationship started in 2008 with Schumann working way up into a quality control advisory position. Once Smart was named the head coach at UGA he brought Schumann with him as the Inside Linebackers coach. These two obviously have a great connection and with Kirby being a defensive minded coach this transition could be very seamless but is it the best option?

Greg Schiano 

          The best resume by far is held by Greg Schiano. He's been a head coach and defensive coordinator at both the college and NFL levels. Most notably was his time at Rutgers(01-11), Tampa Bay(12-13), and most recently Ohio State as the DC. Being a head coach in the NFL is vastly different from college and hus time with the Bucs is proof of that. He turned Rutgers into a top 25 and sometimes too 10 program times but that success just didn’t carry over into the NFL. Over his three seasons at Ohio State the Buckeyes are giving up an average of 20ppg which isn't the best but with so many underclassmen making the jump to the NFL and assistants leaving for better jobs there will be ups and downs. Does his experience warrant a shot at one if the best units in the best conference?
          The question is do you go with one of the young guns or the wily vet? If you go young do you stay with the safe pick in Schumann or make a splash with Ansley? In my humble opinion there is no bad choice here. I look for Kirby to be heavily involved with the defense from day to day so give the young guns a chance to prove themselves. Which young coach is the best fit comes down to relationships versus Potential. Schumann clearly has the better relationship but Ansley is seen as the more ready prospect. It’s a tough decision and one I'm glad I don’t have to make. We will continue to follow the search for coordinators at UGA. I look for both positions to be filled by the end of the month if not before.