Todd Grantham is YouTube gold — and that’s a problem
Todd Grantham's actions at Vanderbilt shouldn't be defended by anybody. (Johnny Crawford/AJC)
I hadn’t planned on writing any more about the incident between Georgia defensive coordinator Todd Grantham and Vanderbilt coach James Franklin Saturday night. But I’ve been astounded by how many Bulldogs fans have come to Grantham’s defense, so let me just get this out once:
There’s a line between emotion and stupidity, and Grantham crossed it.
Coach Mark Richt knows as much. Athletic director Greg McGarity, who has met with Grantham according to our Chip Towers, knows as much. The SEC is reviewing the incident.
Even Grantham — once he cooled down 36 hours later — somewhat admits he overreacted, saying this morning: “… It was unfortunate that things escalated to a confrontation. However, I’ll use it as a learning experience for myself as well as my players so that we all become better men.”
To recap quickly (video below): The Georgia-Vanderbilt game was an emotional one (more than one would have expected). Georgia had a few personal fouls (Kwame Geathers even punching a Vandy player while he was down). Some Dogs defensive players reportedly were upset about Vandy’s cut-blocking tactics.
But none of that excuses the way Grantham acted during a post-game feud with Franklin. For one, he’s a college coach. There something to be said about setting an example for youth .This has nothing to do with Georgia needing to show more emotion and a coach trying to fire up his troops. Emotion can be more of a weakness than a strength.
Secondly, some folks get the benefit of the doubt. Grantham is not one of them. Last season, he gave the choke sign to Florida kicker Chas Henry multiple times before the Dallas, Ga., native nailed a 36-yard field goal in overtime to give the Gators a 34-31 win in Jacksonville. (See video below.) That was even worse than this because it was a 44-year-old coach taunting a 21-year-old college kid.
A few days after that game, Grantham expressed regret about the incident, saying, “As a competitor, sometimes you get caught up in the heat of the moment. I wish the situation hadn’t happened.”
This makes it two straight seasons Grantham has been a YouTube sensation (or embarrassment). With the Florida game coming up, he might want to turn the other way during field goal attempts.
And from now on, just walk off the field after the game and avoid the handshakes. It’s clear he needs some alone time first.
Grantham after Vanderbilt game
Grantham against Florida last season
Tell us what you think about the site
Customer Care »
Vacation stops, manage subscriptions and more
AJC Services
Sections
Other Editions
Visitor Agreement | Privacy Statement
© 2013 The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
933 comments Add your comment
AJC ALERT!!!!!!!
October 17th, 2011
1:25 pm
Do you guys really get paid to do this job? Really? Its the same story that Chip wrote. Not going to argue who wrote it first but man things must be lean over there for the two of you not to agree that one story is enough. If you think that CTG is stupid you had better take a short look into the Cox mirror. Wow sad sad reporting. This Vandy HEAD coach is clearly out of line and this was CTG reaction to support his players. Bet you have never showed emotion before!
MB
October 17th, 2011
1:27 pm
Seriously Jeff, shut up. If you keep it up, then might be out before Richt. Todd Grantham can slam a revolving door. So do me a, and the rest of Bulldawg Nation, and back the (Grantham Expletive) OFF!
Josh Smith for 3
October 17th, 2011
1:27 pm
The Florida choke sign was very dumb and inappropriate, but you missed the point on this incident, Jeff. Coach Franklin was obviously not attempting to have a civil conversation with Shawn Williams when he pointed him out in the beginning of that video, otherwise Grantham would have no reason to blow up like he did. Instead of “finding Coach Richt” like he claims, he helped to ignite a situation that should have been avoided. Grantham should definitely not have blown up like he did, but acting like this is all Grantham’s fault is just a little ridiculous.
All I remember is
October 17th, 2011
1:28 pm
the women and children were scared to death during the Grantham rampage.
5 Time National Champs Nebraska
October 17th, 2011
1:28 pm
MB…..It’d just a game played by kids……Relax. The coach was wrong…..He admitted it. It’s your turn to move on.
.
October 17th, 2011
1:28 pm
Schultz — Get over yourself and off your high horse….it is only a “problem” for people such as yourself who are always looking to be aggrieved… you belong on the panel with the self-righteous, politcally correct knuckleheads on the Sunday morning ‘ESPN Sports Reporters’…. you would fit right in with those goobers.
Coach
October 17th, 2011
1:29 pm
I coach football. I dare one of the other coaches to start yelling at one of my kids! That is my job!
The Truth hurts
October 17th, 2011
1:30 pm
Paul Johnson curses like a sailor on TV every week while berating his players as they leave the field. Silence from the AJC.
SOGADOG
October 17th, 2011
1:30 pm
Kudos to Grantham.
Everyone over looks the fact Franklin instigated the incident by pointing at Georgia players and yelling something obviously negative. Franklin was the one out of line and I support Grantham for standing up for his players.
Grantham has done a great job this year and the defense has kept the Dawgs in the hunt for the SEC east.
I am proud to have Grantham as the DC at UGA and everyone should get off his case. Nobody cares what a bunch of holier than thou newspaper reporters think. GO DAWGS!!!
DAWG with two bags over his head
October 17th, 2011
1:30 pm
Jeff,
As I also told Bill King, you’re way off base on this one. You’re indignation should be directed to Franklin and the sorry excuse for SEC officials that called the game. Talk to Kevin Butler. He was on the sidelines during the game and said that our coaches continually pointed out illegal blocking schemes that the “arrogant” officials would not address. The officials set the table for the an immature, inexperienced, moronic coach to start a melee. The instigator was Franklin. Crucify him and leave Grantham alone.
5 Time National Champs Nebraska
October 17th, 2011
1:33 pm
de·lu·sion·al [dih-loo-zhuh-nl]
adjective
1.
having false or unrealistic beliefs or opinions:
Techies Smell Weird
October 17th, 2011
1:34 pm
Losers along with UF and Muschump hopefully will be there for many years! Triple chin and his HS offense will lose another three games! Mark it down!
Grantham ROCKS!
Skitty Fritty
October 17th, 2011
1:36 pm
You mean football is not supposed to be a game of emotion?
This whole incident is a joke. They loved Saban yelling at his punter a couple of years ago. Will Muschamp basically gets so mad he slobbers on himself during the games. Paul Johnson goes crazy on the officials during the games. The Vandy coach should have addressed this with Richt and not the DC in the first place.
Pellini melt
October 17th, 2011
1:36 pm
Wisconsin 48
Nebraska 17
Gary
October 17th, 2011
1:36 pm
It is amusing how many posts are going after Georgia because we had a shoving match after a game where an opposing team had done some cheap shots and just left one of our players rolling on the field after a chop block. The coaches had some words and some players were shoved. Makes for fun talk on Monday, but it makes it even easier for yall to avoid talking about Tech loosing to VIRGINIA!!!! Tell me again how good Tech is? Oh wait a Georgia coach belched in public, how dare he embarrass the school. Now that Techs looosing streak is about to start we will see very little written about them. Bad news is no news for Tech and the AJC. Keep hating the dawgs. Maybe this defense will play with some serious fire in the belly to support their coach against Florida.
Dean Tate
October 17th, 2011
1:36 pm
Jeff, in light of your outrage over Grantham’s behavior, just wondering how that jives with your defense of Mike Smith when he went face to face with Deangelo Hall.
Techies Smell Weird
October 17th, 2011
1:36 pm
Funny how AJC employees can just spew these lies and not have to be held accountable for there actions! FIRE them ALL!
Skitty Fritty
October 17th, 2011
1:37 pm
Maybe Nebraska should consider the Big East.
tleslie
October 17th, 2011
1:38 pm
Where is the editorial outrage about a head coach initiating a confrontation with members of the opposing team? Is a head coach held to a lower standard than an assistant coach?
Amy Vanderbilt
October 17th, 2011
1:38 pm
Can someone teach Mike Bobo how to run out the clock.
yadda, yadda, yadda.....
October 17th, 2011
1:38 pm
Wow, another riveting piece about the post-game shenanigans Saturday night.
Here’s what I don’t get. I’ve read and heard a lot of disparaging remarks directed towards Grantham, however, I don’t see the same anger being leveled at Franklin. Okay, moving along.
It seems those posting are in various camps: pro-UGA, anti-UGA, pro-Richt, anti-Richt, pro-Grantham etc. etc. Regardless of your “camp”, do you at least think McGarity will handle it and make the right decision? Will you at least trust our AD to do the proper thing? Just curious…..
Jeff Schultz
October 17th, 2011
1:38 pm
ToccoaBird — Yeah. That’s totally it. My secret agenda meeting is at 7:30 tonight.
Skitty Fritty
October 17th, 2011
1:39 pm
Watch the beginning of the video and notice TG’s posture. He is normal till Franklin points to one or more UGA players and says something. Right after that TG gets mad with Franklin. What did Franklin say?
Jeff Schultz
October 17th, 2011
1:39 pm
Dean Tate — I have yet to see video or hear audio or read that admission of guilt from James Franklin. But if he indeed yelled at Shawn Williams with an obscenity, as some have claimed, that was wrong too.
Skitty Fritty
October 17th, 2011
1:40 pm
Who is Franklin pointing too and what did he say at the beginning of the video?
Abnerish
October 17th, 2011
1:41 pm
You can debate whether CTG went over the line or not, but to claim Geathers punched a Vandy player with no justification is just a bald-faced lie. Geathers was clipped from behind after the play was over and he retaliated. It’s hard to fault Geathers when the guy just tried to end his season. Even the television analysts failed to focus on why Geathers punched him. Seems that nobody wants to know the truth, they just want to further their pre-conceived notions.
Student Athlete
October 17th, 2011
1:42 pm
Coaching is a privilege, not a right.
Jeff Schultz
October 17th, 2011
1:42 pm
Buckshot: I don’t “need to get more reads.” I’ve got plenty. Just writing on topics that interest people.
yadda, yadda, yadda.....
October 17th, 2011
1:43 pm
Skitty Fritty
October 17th, 2011
1:39 pm
It must not matter since Jeff says it’s Grantham’s fault.
Jeff Schultz
October 17th, 2011
1:43 pm
MB — Wrong, if Paul Johnson did this, I’d be ripping him too. But he seems to spend more time ripping his own players.
Coach Franklin
October 17th, 2011
1:43 pm
See what he did momma, see, see!
yadda, yadda, yadda.....
October 17th, 2011
1:44 pm
Jeff Schultz
October 17th, 2011
1:42 pm
Jeff, I’m interested in WWII.
Jeff Schultz
October 17th, 2011
1:45 pm
Calhoundawg — I don’t play golf. Next conspiracy theory?
Doofus Dawg
October 17th, 2011
1:45 pm
Wah! He started it teacher. He started it!
yadda, yadda, yadda.....
October 17th, 2011
1:45 pm
Jeff Schultz
October 17th, 2011
1:43 pm
Perhaps Johnson should quit recruiting all those smart football players who want to major in Engineering and sign some who want to major in Management. Oh wait……
Kiss The Ring
October 17th, 2011
1:45 pm
What a cirus the UGA program is…you have an athletic director flossing with womens panties, roid rages from the DC, the head coach makes random comments during halftime interviews. Soon you can add some Crowell scandal into the melee.
Jeff Schultz
October 17th, 2011
1:46 pm
Mike (and others): I’ve got no problem with Grantham taking up for his players. But to couch it like that is an oversimplification and understatement of events.
Beast from the East
October 17th, 2011
1:47 pm
Question for the defenders of Grantham:
Why is it okay for Grantham to make inappropriate hand gestures and yell “f’ing choke” at an opposing player, yet it’s not okay for an opposing coach to say ANYTHING to a UGA player?
yadda, yadda, yadda.....
October 17th, 2011
1:47 pm
Amy Vanderbilt
October 17th, 2011
1:38 pm
So you’re tired of the “let’s run Samuel’s laterally for losses each down” clock running schemes?
Kiss The Ring
October 17th, 2011
1:47 pm
Todd Grantham could have stood up for his players without having to do a wrestling promo!
Falcon 228
October 17th, 2011
1:48 pm
For their cutblocking tactics Grantham should have whipped his ass.
.
October 17th, 2011
1:48 pm
Jeff — So, where was the outrage for CPJ yanking his OL by the facemask and literally spitting obscenities into his face during the Maryland game? Where was the adult behaviour in bullying a kid, grabbing him by the facemask and cussing him out on national TV?
Oh well, I guess it would be too difficult to point that out in the middle of the hand wringing and breathless bloggings about Grantham defending his players.
yadda, yadda, yadda.....
October 17th, 2011
1:48 pm
Beast from the East
October 17th, 2011
1:47 pm
Neither are acceptable. The problem here is giving Franklin a pass and blaming the whole thing on Grantham.
Jeff Schultz
October 17th, 2011
1:50 pm
JaxDawg — “Ok here is one for you Schlutz, if a grown man yell at your son like crazy what will you do? apologize to the man and ask for forgiveness?” … Your “Q and A” is too stupid to warrant a response.
yadda, yadda, yadda.....
October 17th, 2011
1:50 pm
Kiss The Ring
October 17th, 2011
1:45 pm
“you have an athletic director flossing with womens panties”
Make that “had”.
Todd Grantham
October 17th, 2011
1:50 pm
WATXHA GONNA DO FRANKLIN WHEN THE GRAMSTER AND MY NECK VEIN RUN WILD ON YOU!
Nixon
October 17th, 2011
1:51 pm
Finally I agree with one of Jeff’s columns. Richt needs to strongly consider sending TG packing at the end of this season. Bring in another 3-4 guy so we don’t lose too much ground. And the defense was terrible on Saturday.
rally
October 17th, 2011
1:51 pm
Funny that Alabama had no problem with Vandy’s tactics just one week ago. Bama has real men playing football. Georgia has a bunch of hissy throwing girls who cry foul and act like an unruly toddler. Today when you mention UGA, Goon Grantham will be the first thing that people picture. Congratulations Georgia, you have reached your true level of depravity.
Kiss The Ring
October 17th, 2011
1:51 pm
Whatever….”had” the thing is UGA is just a complete mess cause their fanbase is such a bunch of dbgas that think they should be handed a BCS trophy every 5-7 years cause UF and others have done it.
yadda, yadda, yadda.....
October 17th, 2011
1:52 pm
Jeff Schultz
October 17th, 2011
1:50 pm
Uh oh. Calling a poster “stupid”. Very unprofessional. We need at least 12 articles to address this improper behavior………..