Schumann Joins Tulane Football Staff as Defensive Coordinator
Jan 13, 2002 | Football
Jan. 13, 2002
NEW ORLEANS - Eric Schumann, a 23-year coaching veteran who spent the last five seasons leading a highly-successful defense at Southern Methodist, has joined the Tulane football coaching staff as defensive coordinator, head coach Chris Scelfo announced Sunday. In addition, Brad Smiley has been named assistant coach, working with the Tulane tight ends.
"I'm really excited about Eric joining our staff. I sorted through many quality coaches during this process and I believe he is the best fit for our program, both in his football coaching abilities and in his familiarity with the type of student-athletes we are recruiting," said Green Wave Head Coach Chris Scelfo. "He's done a remarkable job as defensive coordinator at SMU and has had success at every stop of his career. The ability his defenses have shown to stop the run has been impressive, and his SMU defenses put up good numbers in a very offensive-minded league."
Under Schumann, SMU had the number one ranked defense in the Western Athletic Conference in 2001 and was ranked No. 22 in the nation in total defense, giving up an average of 320.1 yards per game. The Mustangs were No. 30 in rushing defense, surrendering just 122 yards per game, and were 35th in pass efficiency defense, in 2001. In 2000, his defense held opponents to less than 100 yards rushing six times. His 1998 defense achieved a final ranking of No. 14 overall and was 12th in pass efficiency after four times holding opponents to less than 200 yards of total offense and causing 28 turnovers.
"I'm excited about the opportunity to join Chris Scelfo's staff at Tulane," Schumann said. "I can see that everything is in place here to give us the opportunity to win. Coach Scelfo's offense has always been productive, and when we do our part on defense, good things will happen.
"After getting the opportunity to sit with Coach Scelfo and watch film, I'm excited about the potential of the players that Tulane has on defense. I'm looking forward to working with them and with the rest of the coaching staff."
Prior to his five years at SMU as defensive coordinator, the last four as assistant head coach, Schumann was the defensive coordinator at East Tennessee State University for five seasons, helping the Buccaneers to 10 wins and the second round of the I-AA playoffs in 1996. Schumann's other coaching stops included five seasons, in two separate stints, at Valdosta State and one season each at Livingston University, New Mexico and Troy State.
The two-time Broyles Award nominee (National Assistant Coach of the Year) was a member of four Bear Bryant-coached Southeastern Conference championship teams at the University of Alabama from 1973-76, with the 1973 squad going on to claim the national championship. He earned his bachelor's and master's degrees in physical education from Alabama.
Smiley has been the graduate assistant coach for the Tulane offense over the last two years, assisting with the offensive line and tight ends. The 1995 Baylor grad previously served as offensive line and tight ends coach at Trinity Valley Community College in Athens, Texas, and as tight ends coach at Northwestern State in 1996-97.
"Brad has been a part of our offensive system for two years and has previous experience as a full-time coach," Scelfo said. "It's an easy transition for our staff to bring him in as our tight ends coach."
Schumann and Smiley begin their new duties at Tulane immediately.
