Evaluating the top Power 5 coordinators next in line for head coaching opportunities

The college football coaching carousel has quieted down for the spring and summer months, but ahead of a new season, there are some current assistants who could emerge as head coaching candidates by wintertime.

On Thursday morning’s On3 YouTube live stream, Andy Staples nominated three current Power 5 coordinators at major programs who he believes could be in line to lead their own programs come next year. He doesn’t mean any job, either. Staples believes the three candidates he selected all could be in contention for power conference jobs, perhaps even SEC jobs in some cases.

So take a look below at the three names Staples says to look out for on the coaching carousel on the next spin:

Glenn Schumann | Georgia DC

Few more coveted assistant coaching positions exist, if any, in college football than leading the Bulldog defense under Kirby Smart. That’s currently Glenn Schumann’s gig, and if he produces again in 2024, Staples believes it won’t be for long.

“I think ADs kinda want to get to know him a little bit,” said Staples of the rather muted persona of Schumann in his current role. “But I do think — even BIG SEC jobs, if they were to open, he’s going to get considered for them,” he added.

Of course, there’s an obvious comparison here to another recent Georgia defensive coordinator: “He’s taken kind of the same path as Dan Lanning,” Staples continued. “If you look at what Lanning’s doing at Oregon, let’s say he does take that next step; everybody’s going to be looking for the next Dan Lanning. Well, Glenn Schumann looks like the next Dan Lanning.”

Assuming a major drop-off doesn’t happen for the Georgia defense, Schumann could be taking interviews six months from now. “So, I think he’s going to get serious consideration for jobs after this season. Look, we know Georgia’s defense is going to be good again, their players are fantastic.”

Kane Wommack | Alabama DC

Wommack presents a unique case, per Staples. “The one with the most interesting path is Kane Wommack,” he said, noting Wommack’s head coach experience.

“I know he just got hired as the DC at Alabama. Why would somebody, after just one year at Alabama, try to hire him as a big time head coach? Well, because he’s already been a good Group of 5 head coach. That’s where he has the more interesting path than any of these guys.”

With a solid performance in his head coaching role, Wommack could be on the radar for larger jobs if he excels in Tuscaloosa. “If he’s very good at Alabama this year, there will be a lot of interest in him. He was 22-16 at South Alabama, not an easy job, but last year they went to Stillwater and thumped the Oklahoma State team that played for the Big 12 title. That’s definitely a name you need to watch.”

Staples also noted that Wommack came to Alabama with a reputation as a strong recruiter, especially in SEC territory. That, plus the experience, makes him such a solid option. “If he becomes a major part of a great Alabama season and you add in what he’s done as a head coach already, that will be a very strong candidate for a lot of jobs.”

Will Stein | Oregon OC

The former Teddy Bridgewater backup at Louisville is already one of the hottest young offensive coordinators in college football — and he may not stay an OC very long, per Staples. “If he can get the same results out of Dillon Gabriel that he got out of Bo Nix, there’s not a coaching search that’s going to go on that doesn’t have Will Stein’s name at least mentioned,” he claimed.

Staples says Stein is all the more appealing thanks to the excitement he can bring. “ADs love offense. They believe offense sells tickets. If they want to generate excitement, they want an offense that’s going to score a lot of points. Will Stein’s name will come up.”

Andy Staples added that while a guy like Schumann hasn’t had a whole lot of media exposure, that’s a part of a head coaching job where he believes Stein will succeed.

“He’s very mature beyond his years,” Staples commented. “That part of being a head coach, the front-facing part, he’s going to be great at that. It does matter when you’re hiring a head coach, when you’re hiring a face of your program, the most visible person at your university. That stuff does matter.”