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
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933 comments Add your comment
TrishaDishaWarEagle
October 17th, 2011
2:41 pm
@ yadda
Nah it’s always more fun to hate your rival when they are the evil empire and not an also ran like Tech..
Besides, I was at the Iron Bowl 11-26-2010 (my new christmas day)….the suicidal looks on 45 thousand people decked out in pachyderm gear will make me smirk and grin for a LIFETIME!
BTW.. have you seen our Awesome Crystal Football? WAR DAMN EAGLE!
oldfart
October 17th, 2011
2:41 pm
yadda, yadda, yadda…..
October 17th, 2011
2:24 pm
oldfart
October 17th, 2011
2:18 pm
“…and giving the rest of the conference Youtube material is simply not acceptable.”
I agree, HEAD Coach Franklin should be ashamed.
Yes and even though Schultz and Towers are taking heat for the camera angle this was a SportSouth production and appears the only cameras were in the traditional home stand locations. Franklin has his back to the camera for the most part and Grantham’s red-faced spewing tirade speaks volumes beyond the invectives he is throwing. This is after you have won on some fortunate bounces of the ball. If he had went over and grabbed #36 and walked away all of this would be Vandy’s to defend. Whether you think this is justified or not the appearance harms the school and the program. In the college game with polls being part beauty contest, appearances count.
Timmy Dog
October 17th, 2011
2:42 pm
Guys, help me out here. I’m in discussions with a Vandy alum on this. I watched the video and everyone is saying Franklin went after one of our boys. However, in the video it appears that Franklin and his police escort are pointing/looking for Coach Richt. When in the video or where is he going after Shawn Williams? Help, I’m just not seeing it.
JB
October 17th, 2011
2:42 pm
Is Franklin a Muslim ?
VANDY PLAYED DIRTY
October 17th, 2011
2:44 pm
go after vandy and there chop blocking,cheating ways and the coach teaching them to play that way.
whatacrew
October 17th, 2011
2:44 pm
Grantham was just trying to show his players (like Kwame) how to be Top Thug Dawgs. Once again – UGA, and St. Mark, is exposed nation wide for the type of program and players they have – a bunch of THUGS.
Flat Tire on I-95 in Jacksonville
October 17th, 2011
2:44 pm
Grantham is just frustrated
Frustrated he has to deal with conservative play calling on offense that can never score when they get inside the 30 yard line
Grantham I understand, Im frustrated and baffled too
yadda, yadda, yadda.....
October 17th, 2011
2:44 pm
oldfart
October 17th, 2011
2:41 pm
You’re worried about the polls with THIS Georgia team? Oh well, over and out with you.
GADawgs
October 17th, 2011
2:45 pm
Good post bucket! The officials let this game get out of control. There was not one holding penalty against Vandy and they held on every offensive play. The wideouts held on every quick screen outside. I agree with you, the AJC writers want the coaching staff to fail. This will give them something to write about.
Rob Lowe
October 17th, 2011
2:46 pm
Todd Grantham = Tommy Boy
JB
October 17th, 2011
2:47 pm
Trisha, is it still at Wal Mart or Victory Land on display?
MB
October 17th, 2011
2:49 pm
Trisha, is it still at Wal Mart or Victory Land on display?
Its at the Dollar General in Enterprise currently.
okfornow
October 17th, 2011
2:49 pm
I can’t believe all the UGA fans who are supporting Grantham on this blog – You guys are the very reason why UGA is a hated throughout the country because of their dirty play, late hits, and constant trash talking – they aren’t called the Georgia Thug-dawgs for nothing. Now their coaches are Thugs as well. I agree with the last poster – is this the type of image that St. Mark Richt want’s to portray?? I hope not – but under his “leadership” the Thug-dawg mentality has ruled. So much for character.
Musashi
October 17th, 2011
2:49 pm
Georgia needs toughness, long overdue.
But what’s needed is disciplined toughness, not the undisciplined, cheap shot personal fouls that Grantham has brought.
YankeeDawg
October 17th, 2011
2:49 pm
Jetro, ease up, we fans of the Dawgs like a coach that isn’t neutered. Franklin got what he had coming challenging one of our players. Above is your view, mine is more common among true UGA fans.
TrishaDishaWarEagle
October 17th, 2011
2:49 pm
what the hell is the DC doing heading to opposing teams head coach anyway..that is Baron Coach Von Richtofen’s job..
Don’t be where you shouldn’t, and you likely won’t embarrass yourself…
You would also recall when Trooper Taylor embaressed the AU family (no not by coaching up Fairley to be an attack dog..thats what coaches are supposed to do) by jumping up and down on the field, AU PLAYERS pushed him back to the sideline, and Saint Coach Chizik reamed him but good..
yadda, yadda, yadda.....
October 17th, 2011
2:50 pm
TrishaDishaWarEagle
October 17th, 2011
2:41 pm
No, I haven’t seen it. Is it under the Alabama umbrella like everything else Auburn?
yadda, yadda, yadda.....
October 17th, 2011
2:52 pm
TrishaDishaWarEagle
October 17th, 2011
2:49 pm
“…you likely won’t embarrass yourself…”
An Auburn fan talking about others embarassing themselves?
mmuuuwwwaaaAAAAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!
RTD
October 17th, 2011
2:52 pm
As I have posted before, Schultz “please remove your lips from Tech’s backside”. Coach Franklin points at a UGA player (Williams) and heads in his direction. Coach Grantham did what he needed to do. If Franklin had a problem with a UGA player then he should have contacted Coach Richt later in the evening or at the office today.
JB
October 17th, 2011
2:53 pm
Yawn…Wake me up in Sept. 2012 when a new era is starting.
TrishaDishaWarEagle
October 17th, 2011
2:54 pm
JB, yes we did a tour of walmarts with it, yes..It’s a rural state ..they were giving the average non Alumni fan a chance to enjoy something..I applaud it..
GADawgs
October 17th, 2011
2:54 pm
@ Timmy Dog, Richt is in the upper right hand corner of the video with his trooper escort. Franklin is clearly pointing and yelling at Williams. Even several UGA players are turning to see William’s reaction. Grantham turns to see whom Franklin is pointing at and yelling towards. Then Franklin turns to Grantham and the camera turn to Rambo on the field. The next shot is Grantham redface and screaming at Franklin. Franklin should known to accept the congrats and discuss any issues with Richt.
Flat Tire on I-95 in Jacksonville
October 17th, 2011
2:54 pm
TrishaDishaWarEagle
Dont you have a cattle fundraiser to get too, benefiting the Auburn players fund
Auburn always needs the CASH funds to continue paying its players
Let us know what the amount that was raised will you
Dunwoody Housewife
October 17th, 2011
2:55 pm
TrishaDishaWarEagle
Please tell us more about watching Hee-Haw at your grandpappy’s when you were growing up!
Proud-Dawg
October 17th, 2011
2:55 pm
Schultz…prime example of poor journalism. Get ready to read about Grantham again in the morning. Schultz obviously got D’s in gym class
yadda, yadda, yadda.....
October 17th, 2011
2:56 pm
TrishaDishaWarEagle
October 17th, 2011
2:54 pm
“…the average non Alumni fan…”
For Auburn that’s about 96.2% of the fan base.
JB
October 17th, 2011
2:58 pm
Rural State is correct. I recently went to a funeral in Albertville ( near Boaz) and Hollywood could film a movie about the 50’s and not spend a dime……
yadda, yadda, yadda.....
October 17th, 2011
2:58 pm
Dunwoody Housewife
October 17th, 2011
2:55 pm
She didn’t watch it. She was ON it……
LHarding Dawg
October 17th, 2011
2:58 pm
Trisha = Tammy
Casey
October 17th, 2011
2:59 pm
TimmyDawg,
I’ve had the same discussion with Vandy alums. Coach Richt is nowhere in the vicinty when Franklin is yelling and pointing and the 3 closest people to him (#48, Grantham, and the coach in red with a white visor) all turn around and look back at #36. So whatever Franklin was yelling must not have been “anyone seen Coach Richt??”
The other problem with this is the camera is only pointed towards Grantham. Would be interesting to see a reverse camera on Franklin and read his lips, since he will not answer any direct questions about yelling at an opposing player.
DC
October 17th, 2011
2:59 pm
I know a UGA fans isn’t talking about non Alumni fan base…..
Dunwoody Housewife
October 17th, 2011
2:59 pm
TrishaDishaWarEagle is Lulu
Timmy Dog
October 17th, 2011
3:00 pm
It appears they are pointing to the left of Williams, as even the cop is pointing in that direction for a longer period of time. Did Williams do anything, shout anything? It’s a shame this video won’t go back an additional 10-15 seconds. That said, the pictures from Dogpost.com show Franklin with his mouth shut the whole time, with Grantham spouting off to the point Richt calls him out.
DC
October 17th, 2011
3:00 pm
and i agree with the “lets move on talk” with Grantham…he’s an idiot..we all know that..lets move on…
Strange Murphy
October 17th, 2011
3:02 pm
GATA TODD Grantham!
yadda, yadda, yadda.....
October 17th, 2011
3:02 pm
DC
October 17th, 2011
2:59 pm
“I know a UGA fans isn’t talking about non Alumni fan base…..”
a UGA fans??? You’re obviously a member of the non-Alumni fan base.
LakeDawg
October 17th, 2011
3:02 pm
Once again, the AJC is trying to make Grantham’s actions out to be the worst thing that’s ever happened. No punches were thrown, so its not some horrible event. However, from the perspective of UGA’s football program, it shows these coaches have no leadership ability. CMR has banked his career on Grantham, because he and Bobo can’t coach offense. Grantham has improved the D, but his actions at Vandy and in JAX show he doesn’t have the maturity to build a D of the caliber of Bama or LSU. His players showed that during the Vandy game. Vandy challenged them and their response was personal fouls, instead of bearing down and shutting Vandy down .
TrishaDishaWarEagle
October 17th, 2011
3:04 pm
@Yadda..very wrong on that ..
In Alabama, the team that attracts the vast majority of non Alumni fans are the Tide..with Bama, it is like UGA, the fewer teeth, the harder core fan. Think tree poisoners…
That is why we call ourselves the Auburn FAMILY..you likely either went there, married an Alumnus, or have family who went there, if you are an Auburn fan.
@Dunwoody housewife(s) in general
I’ve dated a few of your husbands
They drone on and on about how miserable they are at home.
CaptainDave
October 17th, 2011
3:04 pm
Seeing UGA football once again embarrassed by one of their own….hilarious.
Seeing the UGA football program embarrassed even more by its own fans that are posting on this blog to defend the indefensible…unbelievable.
Seeing the spelling and grammatical errors made by UGA fans when they make these posts…priceless.
If ignorance is bliss, you must be the happiest group of people on the planet.
spud
October 17th, 2011
3:05 pm
Franklin is the one that crossed the line. Grantham just responded to it. Maybe could have handled it better but ill bet if most of us were put in the same situation we would have done something similar including you Mr. S. I think it is good for the players to know he has their back. I would hope that all of the players feel that way. Some times you got to do what you have to do. Ill bet Franklin wont jump on another one of Georgias players anytime soon.
DC
October 17th, 2011
3:05 pm
I knew you were going to use the typo as a way to bash someone…my bad for having a typo yadda..I hope one day you can forgive me.
richie
October 17th, 2011
3:06 pm
He was defending one of his players.Vandy guy wanted the fight.They were playing dirty all game.A few other teams in the sec act the same way……. chop blocks,late hits,constant trash talk,….U people know who Im talking about………And the refs..let it go…….Good TV……..huh
schmeckdawg
October 17th, 2011
3:07 pm
TrishaDishaWarEagle
*****************************************************************************
How old were you the first time your diddy told you that you were a good kisser? We all know that he did!!!
LawDawg
October 17th, 2011
3:07 pm
Schultz found something to bash UGA over? Wonders never cease!
Sorry, that should have been: Schultz hates UGA, so no surprises here.’
Should Grantham have just allowed the opposing coach to yell at S. Williams, et al (the players who got chop0-blocked all game)?
TrishaDishaWarEagle
October 17th, 2011
3:08 pm
@JB
Most of GA is very rural also. I went to a funeral in Warrenton, GA recently and the only place to eat was take out BBQ from the hardware store.
LawDawg
October 17th, 2011
3:08 pm
Seriously, what was he supposed to do? How is Franklin escaping criticism for being such a [redacted]?
LawDawg
October 17th, 2011
3:08 pm
Also, the criticism of the choke thing was just stupid. Journalists have no integrity beyond clicks and external links to their stories.
yadda, yadda, yadda.....
October 17th, 2011
3:09 pm
TrishaDishaWarEagle
October 17th, 2011
3:04 pm
“That is why we call ourselves the Auburn FAMILY”
Call yourselves what you want. But if you put lipstick on a pig…..
Shultzistheproblem
October 17th, 2011
3:10 pm
You are the problem Shultz. What CTG did was not crossing the line. He came to the defense of his players and you have no idea what exactly what was said down there by the coaches. Looking at a player and doing the choke sign is crossing the line. Defending your players is not.
Dunwoody Housewife
October 17th, 2011
3:10 pm
Girlfriend, you need some grammar lessons!
A misspent youth viewing too many Hee-Haw episodes.