Georgia Offensive Line Coach Stacy Searels Changing Roles Within Bulldogs Program

Georgia offensive line coach Stacy Searels is changing roles within the program.

The offseason is in full swing across college football right now, and with the transfer portal officially closed, Georgia now focuses on retaining its staff. Unfortunately, the Bulldogs have already taken a hit as offensive line coach Stacy Searels is changing roles within the program.

The new offensive line coach will be Phil Rauscher, who was hired by Georgia last offseason to be an offensive analyst. Searels will still be involved with the program and a part of the staff as he is essentially swapping roles with Rauscher.

Stacy Searels Changing Roles With Georgia Football

Georgia Offensive Line Coach Stacy Searels enters Sanford Stadium during the Dawg Walk before the start of a NCAA college football game against Tennessee Martin in Athens, Ga., on Saturday, Sept. 2, 2023. | Joshua L. Jones / USA TODAY NETWORK

Rauscher's previous title was quality control coordinator. Prior to his time in Athens, Rauscher was the offensive line coach for the Jacksonville Jaguars from 2022 to 2024. He has been coaching and around the game of football since 2006. He got his first NFL gig in 2015 as an offensive assistant with the Denver Broncos. He has also had stops with the Washington Commanders and Minnesota Vikings.

Searels got his start in college football as a graduate assistant at Auburn in 1992, where he graduated from. He then climbed the ranks of college football as an offensive line coach and served that same role at Georgia from 2007-2010. He then had stops at Texas, Virginia Tech, Miami and North Carolina. In 2022, he returned to Georgia to be the offensive line coach after Matt Luke announced he was retiring from coaching.

Sources have told Bulldogs on SI that Rauscher has proven himself as a recruiter within a year with the program and is comfortable with making this change. Rauscher is also very respected amongst people around and within the program.

Searels has been credited with helping bring in young and promising offensive line prospects. This past season. True freshmen Donnie Glover and Juan Gaston were very impactful in Georgia's offense and are set up to be starters for the remaining years they have in college football.

All things considered, this appears to be a win all around for the Bulldogs. While Searels will not continue to serve as the offensive line coach, he will still remain with the program, and on top of that, Georgia had the ability to promote a coach who has a lot of experience at the professional level. Having that attached to your offensive line coach's resume certainly won't hurt on the recruiting trail.

Here is the statement that the University of Georgia released on the coaching switch:

ATHENS, Ga. – University of Georgia head football coach Kirby Smart announced today that Stacy Searels, the Bulldogs’ offensive line coach since 2022, will transition into an offensive analyst role for the 2026 season, while assistant offensive line coach Phil Rauscher has been promoted to offensive line coach.
“We’re grateful for everything Coach Searels has poured into our program over the past several seasons,” Smart said. “His knowledge, experience and steady leadership have been instrumental to our offensive production. In his new role, Stacy will continue to impact our offensive strategy and provide mentorship for both our staff and players.”
Searels returned to Georgia as offensive line coach in February 2022 after previously serving in the same role at North Carolina for three seasons. Since coming back to Athens, he has helped develop seven NFL Draft picks, including first-round selections Amarius Mims and Broderick Jones. In his new capacity as an analyst, Searels will focus on opponent scouting, game planning and player evaluation.
Rauscher, who worked alongside Searels as assistant offensive line coach in 2025, will assume primary responsibility for the offensive line unit heading into spring practice.
“Phil has been a tremendous asset to our staff and players,” Smart said. “He has earned this opportunity through his work ethic, technical expertise and his ability to connect with our players. We’re excited about the future of our offensive line under his leadership.”
Rauscher has spent 16 years in the collegiate and NFL coaching ranks, working on the offensive side of the ball at both levels. He most recently served as the Jacksonville Jaguars’ offensive line coach and run game coordinator following previous NFL stops with the Denver Broncos, Washington Commanders and Minnesota Vikings. A former UCLA offensive lineman from 2003-05, Rauscher began his coaching career with the Bruins before making collegiate stops at Dixie State, Hawaii and Cal Lutheran.

Stacy Searels Changing Roles With Georgia Football

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