NEW ORLEANS — Georgia football outside linebackers coach Dan Lanning confirmed Saturday the Bulldogs defensive coordinator position won’t be filled until after the Sugar Bowl on Jan. 1.
“After the game, I think there will be some decisions made as to what that looks like moving forward,” Lanning said, asked about the Georgia defensive coordinator vacancy and how roles have been doled out.
Oakland Raiders secondary coach Derrick Ansley, is considered one of the outside candidates. Ansley, 37, has 13 years of collegiate coaching experience including an overlap with Smart on Alabama coach Nick Saban’s staff.
Current UGA inside linebackers coach Glenn Schumann (28) is projected as an internal candidate, along with Lanning, and some have suggested Smart could go the co-coordinator route.
Former Bulldogs coordinator Mel Tucker left the Georgia football staff to take over as Colorado head coach on Dec. 5.
RELATED: Mel Tucker makes it official, takes Buffaloes job
Lanning took the podium in the media interview slot reserved for the team’s defensive coordinator at the New Orleans Marriott Convention Center on Saturday.
He would not confirm or deny being a candidate for the UGA defensive coordinator opening.
“It’s the Georgia defensive coordinator job, there’s a ton of interest in that job, we’re going to be able to attract a lot of great candidates for that position,” Lanning said.
“We have a lot of great people on staff and in house,” the 32-year-old Lanning said. “I think everyone is kind of taking a piece of the pie and stepping forward into this game and what it will look like from a play caller and signal caller standpoint for this game.”
Lanning said several times the complete focus is on the Sugar Bowl matchup with the No. 5-ranked Bulldogs (11-2) prepping to face No. 15-ranked Texas (9-4) at 8:45 p.m. next Tuesday.
“Obviously, our number one goal is to come take care of business when it comes to the game,” Lanning said. “Everybody’s kind of stepped up and done their part. The defense is what we run, and that’s not necessarily going to change.”
Lanning said he learned on Friday that he would speak in the defensive coordinator slot for the purposes of Sugar Bowl media obligations.
“Coach Smart and I talked about it a little bit (Friday) coming ip here, doing the podium experience,” Lanning said. “Definitely, my first Sugar Bowl podium experience and a little different than being at Park Hill South High School (Mo.) when I was assistant coach.”
DawgNation coverage from New Orleans
6 questions and answers with Texas football beat writer
Jake Fromm focused, not distracted by Justin Fields transfer talk
Georgia football TE Isaac Nauta plans to ‘go out strong’ at Sugar Bowl
Georgia players still fired up over CBF Playoff snub
Bulldogs’ juniors Isaac Nauta, Mecole Hardman weighing NFL decisions
Kirby Smart explains why he supports Deandre Baker’s decision to skip bowl
UGA now in New Orleans, ready to leave drama behind
Deandre Baker shocks Georgia fans, decides not to play in Sugar Bowl
Jonathan Ledbetter may try to change Deandre Baker’s mind about playing
UGA 5 pressing questions for Bulldogs at Sugar Bowl
