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Eagles' Next Defensive Coordinator: Georgia Coach an Option?

Originally posted on Philadelphia Eagles on SI
By Ed Kracz | Last updated Jan 22, 2024 3:48 PM ET

The list of former Georgia Bulldogs runs deep on the Philadelphia Eagles roster. Could another one be added before the draft?

Glenn Schumann is the University of Georgia’s defensive coordinator, who has been around the Eagles’ plethora of talent from that campus, including Jordan Davis, Nakobe Dean, Jalen Carter, Nolan Smith, and Kelee Ringo.

Each of those players will have a large role in whatever the Eagles look like this season, so perhaps bringing in someone familiar with them, and them with him, would make sense.

The Eagles interviewed Schumann last year for their DC opening, but Schumann pulled his name out of the running, opting to return for another season with Kirby Smart and the Bulldogs.

It’s still very early in the search, but there is an opening for a DC after the Eagles fired Sean Desai on Sunday and news broke that Matt Patricia, who had only a one-year deal, will seek other coaching options outside of Philadelphia.

No move has been made on offensive coordinator Brian Johnson, yet. Johnson has had two interviews for a head coaching position and, if he were to land one of them, the Eagles would receive a third-round draft pick in each of the next two drafts as compensation.

It would also mean they wouldn't have to fire him, should that be how they are leaning.

As is the case with Johnson, nothing has been formalized with Nick Sirianni, either. It is a good sign for Sirianni, however, that he seems to be the one who decided to fire Desai. That would seem to indicate his job is safe.

Schumann is just 33. Last year was his first as the sole defensive coordinator of the Georgia defense. He had been the co-DC since 2019. Before joining Smart’s staff in 2015 as a linebackers coach, he spent seven seasons with Nick Saban at the University of Alabama as a student assistant at first before becoming a graduate assistant.

Others reportedly drawing interest from the Eagles include Wink Martindale and Ryan Nielson.

Martindale was with the New York Giants, but he and head coach Brian Daboll have parted ways. Martindale, 60, would bring years of DC experience, including some successful years with the Baltimore Ravens from 2018-21.

Nielsen, 44, played defensive tackle at USC and signed an undrafted free-agent contract with the Eagles in 2002 but never made it out of training camp.

He got into coaching shortly after that and has had plenty of experience coaching defensive lines, an area the Eagles invest a lot of resources, both financially and in terms of draft picks.

Nielsen’s experience with coordinating a defense is limited, however, as Desai’s was.

Nielson was co-DC with the New Orleans Saints two years ago. Last season, he was DC for the Atlanta Falcons.

This article first appeared on Philadelphia Eagles on SI and was syndicated with permission.

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