After firing Billy Napier in mid-October, Florida fans debated replacements. Lane Kiffin, Marcus Freeman, James Franklin, and Jon Gruden topped most wish lists. But one analyst says a surprising candidate may emerge.
According to CBS sports analyst Tom Fornelli, the Gators may be looking into hiring Georgia Bulldogs defensive coordinator Glenn Schumann. Schumann has been with the Bulldogs since 2016 as the inside linebackers coach and was Kirby Smart’s first hire as head coach of the Bulldogs. In that role, he has coached the likes of Roquan Smith, Quay Walker, and Nakobe Dean, all of whom have had very solid starts to their NFL careers.
Schumann was promoted to co-defensive coordinator in 2019, working alongside Dan Lanning, who is now the head coach at Oregon. Their partnership produced the nation’s top defense, limiting opponents to only 12.6 points per game. Schumann played a key role in Georgia’s back-to-back national championships and even interviewed for the Philadelphia Eagles’ defensive coordinator position in 2023 before choosing to stay in Athens. Despite these successes, the question remains whether his recent defensive struggles will affect his candidacy.
Would Florida hire Georgia's DC?
These recent struggles are precisely what give some fans pause about making Schumann the next head coach of the Gators. Georgia has only generated 8 sacks in 7 games, compared to 15 at the same point last season. They are also constantly giving up big plays and are struggling to tackle opponents every game. While they tend to tighten up in the second halves of games, they play loose and lazy in the first two quarters.
Many fans do see the potential of Glenn Schumann as the next Gators head coach. Schumann has worked under two renowned coaches, Kirby Smart and Nick Saban, and served as a coordinator at Georgia for almost 6 years. He has been in nearly every football scenario and, importantly, brings championship experience wherever he coaches.
If Florida learned anything from oregon Take Georgias DC. Glenn Schumann would be who id want if i was a Gator fan
— DEMON MOORE 2025 SZN LOADING (@OspTheOG) September 16, 2024
Here’s the truth: if Florida hires Glenn Schumann, it’s not because they want to win the news cycle. It’s because they want a coach who actually knows how to build something real. Schumann isn’t a household name, and he’s not going to light up Twitter, but maybe that’s a good thing. What he offers is structure, discipline, and the kind of championship attitude Florida fans have missed since Urban Meyer was on the sideline.
If Florida really wants to get back to being a powerhouse, going with Schumann could be the bold move that changes everything. He’s been there, done that, and knows what it takes to win at the highest level. Maybe what the Gators need most right now is less hype and more substance — and Schumann might be the guy to deliver just that.