Georgia’s Offensive Line Enters a New Era Under Phil Rauscher
Change is coming to Georgia’s trenches. Kirby Smart made his first coaching move of the 2026 offseason, shifting longtime offensive line coach Stacy Searels into an analyst role and promoting Phil Rauscher to take over the position group.
It’s a notable move, not just because it marks a new voice in the offensive line room, but because of what it signals about the direction Smart wants to take this unit moving forward.
A Fresh Start in the Trenches
Rauscher may be new to the on-field SEC grind, but he’s not new to football. After a season serving as an analyst in Athens, he’s earned the trust of Smart and the staff. And based on Smart’s comments, that trust wasn’t handed out lightly.
“Phil has been a tremendous asset to our staff and players,” Smart said. “He has earned this opportunity through his work ethic, technical expertise and his ability to connect with our players. We’re excited about the future of our offensive line under his leadership.”
That’s a strong endorsement, and it speaks to the impact Rauscher had behind the scenes last season. Georgia’s offensive line battled through injuries and constant shuffling-seven different starting combinations, to be exact-but still found a way to improve in the run game. That kind of resilience doesn’t happen without solid coaching, even if it came from an off-field role.
Searels Steps Back-but Not Away
This isn’t a clean break for Searels. He’s staying on staff, just in a different capacity. It’s a move that mirrors what Georgia did with Will Muschamp after the 2023 season, shifting a veteran coach into an analyst role to keep their experience and insight in the building.
Smart made it clear that Searels’ contributions aren’t being overlooked.
“We’re grateful for everything Coach Searels has poured into our program over the past several seasons,” Smart said. “His knowledge, experience and steady leadership have been instrumental to our offensive production. In his new role, Stacy will continue to impact our offensive strategy and provide mentorship for both our staff and players.”
Still, it’s fair to wonder what prompted the change. Searels helped develop multiple first-round picks and was part of Georgia’s 2022 national championship run.
But the 2024 season didn’t meet expectations, even with three top-100 draft picks along the line. That downturn coincided with Rauscher’s arrival as an analyst-an addition that seemed to spark improvement, even amid adversity.
Whether this was a reshuffling for performance reasons or a strategic transition, the result is the same: Georgia’s offensive line is under new leadership.
Recruiting in a New Era
One of the big questions surrounding Rauscher’s promotion is how he’ll fare on the recruiting trail. Unlike Searels, who brought over three decades of college coaching experience and deep SEC ties, Rauscher’s background is mostly rooted in the NFL.
His last college stop? Cal Lutheran, back in 2014.
That’s a far cry from the recruiting battles Georgia regularly finds itself in. Searels helped land five-star talents like Monroe Freeling, Juan Gaston, and Ekene Ogboko. He had Georgia in the driver’s seat for Jackson Cantwell before a massive NIL offer from Miami flipped the script.
So, can Rauscher keep Georgia competitive in the trenches?
The good news for the Bulldogs: they’re still pulling in talent. Georgia signed the No. 6 class in the 2026 cycle and holds a commitment from four-star Kelsey Adams.
They’re also firmly in the mix for top prospect Joshua Sam Epelle. Landing both would go a long way toward easing any concerns about Rauscher’s recruiting chops.
And with the recruiting landscape becoming more transactional by the year, traditional experience might matter less than it used to. Georgia may not throw around NIL money like Miami or Texas Tech, but they’re plenty competitive when it counts.
More Moves Coming?
This coaching shift could be the first domino to fall-or it could be the only one. Last offseason, Smart opted for continuity, keeping his staff intact. That’s already changed in 2026.
Several assistant coaches-Searels, Glenn Schumann, James Coley, Tray Scott, Travaris Robinson, and Donte Williams-received contract extensions after last season. Todd Hartley and Mike Bobo are already under contract through next year.
But two names to watch are running backs coach Josh Crawford and outside linebackers coach Chidera Uzo-Diribe. Both are up for extensions, and Smart will have to decide whether to stay the course or shake things up further.
In Searels’ case, Georgia had a ready-made replacement in Rauscher. If other moves are on the horizon, the process might not be as seamless.
The Bottom Line
Georgia’s offensive line is entering a new chapter, and Phil Rauscher is the one holding the pen. He’s got big shoes to fill, but he’s also got a head start after a season spent learning the system, connecting with players, and helping steer the ship through a turbulent 2025.
With Rauscher now in charge and Searels still involved behind the scenes, Georgia is betting on a blend of fresh perspective and veteran wisdom to anchor the offensive line moving forward.
The question now isn’t just how the line performs in 2026-it’s whether this move is the first of many, or the only one Smart felt he needed to make. Either way, the Bulldogs’ coaching carousel is officially in motion.