Georgia Bulldogs Among Only Teams in This Rare Category Entering the 2026 Season

The Bulldogs are set to return numerous major pieces, putting them in an elite group of college football programs.

Apr. 6, 2026 at 10:26pm

A cubist, geometric painting depicting the action of a college football game, with sharp, overlapping planes of red, black, and white representing the Georgia Bulldogs and crimson, cream, and gray representing the Oklahoma Sooners.Georgia's roster continuity gives them a strategic edge as they aim to build on their recent success.Athens Today

The Georgia Bulldogs are one of the few teams in college football to return their starting quarterback, offensive coordinator, defensive coordinator, and head coach for the 2026 season. This continuity puts them in a rare category, with only a handful of other Power Five programs able to boast the same level of stability heading into the new year.

Why it matters

Returning production and continuity are major advantages in college football, as they can provide veteran leadership and experience that helps teams win close games down the stretch. Georgia's ability to retain its key personnel gives the Bulldogs a leg up on many of their opponents as they look to compete for another SEC Championship and College Football Playoff berth.

The details

The Bulldogs are set to return quarterback Gunner Stockton, offensive coordinator Mike Bobo, defensive coordinator Glenn Schumann, and head coach Kirby Smart. This makes Georgia one of just six Power Five teams and the only other SEC program besides Oklahoma to retain all four of those major positions. In addition, Georgia is returning one of the largest amounts of overall production in the nation, giving them an experienced roster primed for success.

  • The Bulldogs will return to action for their season opener against Tennessee State on Saturday, September 5th in Athens, Georgia.

The players

Gunner Stockton

The returning starting quarterback for the Georgia Bulldogs.

Mike Bobo

The offensive coordinator for the Georgia Bulldogs.

Glenn Schumann

The defensive coordinator for the Georgia Bulldogs.

Kirby Smart

The head coach of the Georgia Bulldogs.

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The takeaway

Georgia's ability to retain its key personnel, including its starting quarterback, coordinators, and head coach, puts the Bulldogs in a rare and advantageous position heading into the 2026 season. This continuity should provide the team with valuable veteran leadership and experience that could prove crucial in their pursuit of another SEC title and College Football Playoff berth.