Glenn Schumann Staying Put - For Now - as Georgia’s Defense Rounds Into Form
In a college football coaching carousel that’s seen more movement than a two-minute drill, Georgia defensive coordinator Glenn Schumann is staying right where he is - and that’s big news in itself.
While some of the sport’s biggest programs, from Florida to LSU to Michigan, have shuffled their coaching decks, Schumann, the architect behind Georgia’s resurgent defense, is focused on one thing: the College Football Playoff. And judging by Georgia’s recent dominance on that side of the ball, he’s got plenty to keep him busy.
A Quiet Star Amid a Noisy Coaching Cycle
This coaching cycle has been nothing short of chaotic. Thirty-two FBS programs have made head coaching changes - a mix of established names like Lane Kiffin and James Franklin, fast-rising Group of Five coaches, and a handful of top coordinators stepping into the lead role.
Oregon’s Will Stein is heading to Kentucky. Collin Klein is now at Kansas State.
Pete Golding got the nod at Ole Miss. The list goes on.
But Schumann’s name - while floated in the background - never quite caught fire this cycle, in part due to Georgia’s slow defensive start this season. That early dip may have cooled the buzz, but it didn’t last long. The Bulldogs have since flipped the script, roaring back into form and reminding everyone why Schumann is one of the most respected defensive minds in the game.
Locked In on the Now
Speaking after Georgia’s SEC Championship win over Alabama, Schumann made it clear: his focus is on family and football - in that order.
“I’m really intentional about my family’s happiness and kind of the things that matter to me internally,” Schumann said. “But I’m really happy to be here and I’m here intentionally. When the time’s right, if the timing is right, then it will sort itself out.”
There’s no ambiguity in that. Schumann isn’t chasing headlines. He’s building something - and doing it with purpose.
That moment after the SEC title game said a lot. Schumann was on the field, holding his daughter Whitley in one arm, his son Bryson on his shoulders.
His youngest, Warner, wasn’t far behind. This is a coach grounded in what matters, and right now, that’s Georgia football and his family.
Georgia’s Defensive Turnaround
Let’s talk about the numbers - because they tell a story of growth and grit.
Yes, Georgia gave up five straight touchdowns to Ole Miss back in October. But since then?
Just two touchdowns allowed over four games. That’s a massive shift, and it speaks to the kind of in-season development that elite coaching staffs pride themselves on.
Even after losing three first-round NFL Draft picks - Mykel Williams, Jalon Walker, and Malaki Starks - the Bulldogs have climbed the defensive rankings in just about every category:
- Total Defense: From 30th to 12th
- Scoring Defense: From 23rd to 9th
- Rushing Defense: From 36th to 4th
And they’re doing it with a mix of young talent and smart scheming. Schumann pointed to improved pass rush and coverage as the biggest areas of growth.
“We knew we had guys with ability that had not played a whole bunch,” he said. “We knew there was going to be a process of getting better throughout the course of the year. It doesn’t matter if you have a team full of seniors or freshmen, you better develop your roster and grow so you’re at your best when your best is needed.”
That’s the kind of mindset that wins championships.
A Coach Players Believe In
It’s not just the numbers that back Schumann’s value - it’s the voices inside the locker room.
Junior All-American linebacker CJ Allen praised Schumann’s ability to connect and challenge his players. “He’s able to connect with guys and push guys to get the best out of guys,” Allen said.
Raylen Wilson, finishing his third season under Schumann, echoed that sentiment. “He leads the defense the right way and he’ll be a great leader if he was a head coach.”
The respect is mutual. Schumann’s players trust him, and head coach Kirby Smart isn’t shy about giving him credit either.
“That Schumann’s and them defense,” Smart told ABC’s Holly Rowe after the SEC title game. “That ain’t my defense.
That’s Schumann and them’s defense. Incredible job.”
The Head Coaching Future - When It Comes
At 35, Schumann is still young in coaching years, but he’s already got a decade on Georgia’s staff and a national reputation for defensive excellence. He shared co-defensive coordinator duties with Will Muschamp in 2022 and is now in his third season as the full DC. And if history is any indication, Georgia knows how to produce head coaches.
Dan Lanning was the same age when Oregon hired him away from Athens. Mike Bobo was 40 when he took the Colorado State job.
And Kirby Smart? He was 39 when Georgia handed him the reins after nine seasons at Alabama.
So yes, Schumann’s time will come. But for now, he’s staying put - and Georgia fans should be thrilled.
The Bulldogs are heading into the College Football Playoff with one of the hottest defenses in the country, and Schumann is a big reason why. With the Sugar Bowl quarterfinal against Ole Miss on deck, his focus is exactly where it needs to be.
“I’ve been asked this question by family, friends,” Schumann said. “Heck, all I’ve been focused on all year is getting better because we needed to get better.”
Mission accomplished - and the season’s not over yet.