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
Terry
October 17th, 2011
3:48 pm
5150 UOAD, Football is about intimidation, trash talking, and all, this happen after the game was over.
gbal
October 17th, 2011
3:48 pm
Shultz-
Again the AJC bashing UGA ; Again, the AJC is UGA’s worst enemy always taking the chance to portray the program in a negative way.
IF the rumors I am hearing are right, that the Vandy coach was cursing a UGA player and being critical of the way he played, I commend CTG for standing up for his player.
My understanding is that Franklin started the ordeal; You can have a player retaliate or have a coach address the situation. I dont have a problem responding to Franklins actions.
PRESS IS MAKING A HUDGE DEAL ABOUT THIS> IT”S A MEDIA THIN THAT SHOULD BE DROPPED AS NOTHING>
At a HS football game this wkend with the visitors ligned up for a FG and the entire stands yelling MISS IT!! players and coaches doing the same. Whats wrong with this??? Nothing unless the media wants it to be.
TrishaDishaWarEagle
October 17th, 2011
3:49 pm
The UGA conspiracy committee meets Thursdays at the Athens loop Zaxby’s, under the Hand painted banner of Cam Newton holding a pitchfork..the passphrase is E Pluribus Herschel. This weeks topics include: Nick Fairley..why the SEC head office HATES UGA…why the refs were obviously pro Vanderbilt..unveiling the secret memo stolen from Slive’s office where all 11 other schools(T A&M voted yes too but it was only symbolic) agree to trade UGA to the BIG12(9) for Baylor to raise league academic standards, and then there will be a Petition to make Todd Grantham the head coach in waiting.
Student Athlete
October 17th, 2011
3:49 pm
I just don’t think grown men can do that.
5150 UOAD
October 17th, 2011
3:49 pm
Fair and Balanced………….like the fact the UGA players shouldn’t be on any College Campus in the country. At Georgia, for instance, 73.5 percent of athletes were special admits compared with 6.6 percent of the student body as a whole. A good student can’t attend UGA cause a moron football player took his or her spot in the Dorms and Classrooms.
not that is FAIR & BALANCED.
Weather Channel Expert
October 17th, 2011
3:49 pm
And Paul Johnson can go around and tell people to punch UGA fans in the face…?
Terry
October 17th, 2011
3:49 pm
Tiger Dominator, So you come from the Capital of Red Necks and Trailer parks.
@tiger dominator
October 17th, 2011
3:49 pm
Tiger Dominator, that was maryland that had you down by 3 scores, it was temple that beat maryland 38-3. Clemsons the tallest midget this year.Clemsons all time record vs SEC 43 -112-6.
5150 UOAD
October 17th, 2011
3:50 pm
Terry is was After the game because of what was happening DURING the game. Can you not figure that out?
Laughable
October 17th, 2011
3:51 pm
Jeff,
When you get cut blocked, let me know. You will be pissed off to because the linemen continue to go for the knees. It is cheap as hell and this isnt anything new coming from Vandy.
Bill Stanfill
October 17th, 2011
3:51 pm
Jeff-
I’m astounded by your characterization of these events.
You think Grantham ran out onto the field, sought out Franklin and began cursing and jumping and gesturing at him? Just out of the blue? Let’s put the video and audio on Franklin (there’s very little). Franklin should have kept mouth shut and spoken to Richt by phone later if he felt the need.
Maybe, just maybe, Jeff, both coaches did a poor job of controlling their emotions?
“Kwame Geathers punched a Vanderbilt player while he was down.”?? I’d say that’s a pretty one-sided view. Geathers was DOWN after a cut block, the Vandy player was face down on the ground behind him, and Geathers pulled up and took a lame swing toward the player. It would have been impossible to punch the Vandy player. But guess what, Jeff? The refs got it right–there were off-setting penalties, one on Kwame and one on the Vandy player.
I don’t defend either Grantham or Franklin; I don’t defend either Kwame or the Vandy player. What’s most indefensible, however, is the lack of basic professional balance by the journalist. Or, Jeff, maybe you just like getting a rise out of UGA fans? Creating a little stir?
kb
October 17th, 2011
3:53 pm
5150 why does PJ keep offering kids that eventually sign with UGA scholarships?
Tiger Dominator
October 17th, 2011
3:54 pm
I think Clemson would beat LSU by 10. Honestly, I think our game against Bama should be for the national title. We have more weapons on offense but they may have us on defense. They get the nod at HC but we clearly have better coordinators.
Sammy Watkins would be the difference. When we drop the hammer no one can stop him and Boyd.
Watch when we beat the coots from Columbia by about 40, We will eat them alive.
LHarding Dawg
October 17th, 2011
3:55 pm
There is absolutely no class in the comments of 5150 UOAD or Trisha. Tone it down people, it’s just football. Maybe 5150, Trisha, and Coach Grantham need some anger managements classes.
Tiger Dominator
October 17th, 2011
3:56 pm
Oh, and Terry, since you want to talk rednecks and trailer parks, I have a finance degree from CU, only a BS, and I made $694k last year–it was a bit of a down year.
And I am 34 years old.
Booyah!
Casey
October 17th, 2011
3:57 pm
See below from Franklin’s presser today when addressing the incident. I think it’s pretty obvious he was fine with the way things played out at the end of the game. And why not, have we ever spoken about Vandy this much after a loss?? It just pisses me off how one sided the media is on this. Grantham was calm when he approached Franklin, it wasn’t until after he turned around and saw who Franklin was pointing and yelling at that he lost his cool.
The key question in this, and one reporters like Schultz should be asking, is was Franklin yelling at an opposing player and if so what was said? Why isn’t anyone trying to get that answer out of this guy??
Franklin went on to say “There’s a fine line and we’re trying to change a culture and we’re trying to build a program here.”
“I feel like the Vanderbilt community is starting to understand things have changed,” Franklin said. “So we are going to represent Vanderbilt the right way, and we’re going to do it with class and dignity, but we’re not going to be pushed around. We’re not going to be intimidated. That’s the one thing I’ll make sure that everybody is clear on. … We are going to competitive and we are going to be aggressive with everything we do.
“If some people don’t like that, I’m sorry. Things are changing here.”
Joshua Barlowe
October 17th, 2011
3:57 pm
I just want to know why anyone is shocked this is happening at thUGA.
This is accepted behavior at Thug U.
5150 UOAD
October 17th, 2011
4:01 pm
I would guess most UGA fans support the High School Players that beat up the Winning team’s coach too.
rally
October 17th, 2011
4:01 pm
Poor wittle puppy dawgs! Did someone like mean old Vandy mistreat you? Come out from under the couch, that mean old Vandy is gone.
TrishaDishaWarEagle
October 17th, 2011
4:01 pm
@LHarding, my comments are meant in good fun, how could I be mad? After only 11 short months, Vandy (yes, VANDY!..that football factory of lies and cheating) has replaced Nick Fairley as the UGA fan hate du jour. Not to mention, AU was utterly exonerated by the NCAA this week, which made for endlessly entertaining conspiracy comments on this blog. Accordingly, I now understand that AU owns the SEC, NCAA, and the FBI…life is good..we are untouchables..
Buck Blew
October 17th, 2011
4:03 pm
so let me get this straight. goon grantham admits that what he did was wrong and he was at fault, yet the majority of the leghumper fans on this board are saying what he did was okay. that shows what a lack of class the entire dawg nation shows on a consistent basis. what a bunch of freaking losers. go back and listen to your 8 track tapes of munson’s call from blew to scott. one lucky play that resulted in one national title and year in and year out the dawg fans think they are an elite football program. rotflmao.
Weather Channel Expert
October 17th, 2011
4:03 pm
“I made $694k last year”
Definition of D-Bag here.
yadda, yadda, yadda.....
October 17th, 2011
4:03 pm
5150 UOAD
October 17th, 2011
3:49 pm
Proof or just typical BS?
Flat Tire on I-95 in Jacksonville
October 17th, 2011
4:05 pm
TrishaDishaWarEagle
Your talking about academics
UGA Ranks #62 in among National University’s
Auburn Ranks #82
A few more years of under the table cash payments and you might break 70
yadda, yadda, yadda.....
October 17th, 2011
4:05 pm
Tiger Dominator
October 17th, 2011
3:56 pm
Riiiiight.
Why don’t you tell us about your 9 inch crank and 450 lb bench while you’re at it?
mmuuuwwwaaaAAAAAAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!
Hit A Single
October 17th, 2011
4:05 pm
Franklin and Harbrough both have alot to learn. They instigated both situations I saw this past weekend. Grantham was standing up for one of his players and I agree that he should have handled it better but it should have never been started by a rookie head coach that has alot to learn. His post game interview was a joke.
5150 UOAD
October 17th, 2011
4:06 pm
yadda, yadda, yadda…..Proof………….http://www.usnews.com/education/blogs/paper-trail/2008/12/30/athletes-show-huge-gaps-in-sat-scores…………………read it for yourself.
Hit A Single
October 17th, 2011
4:07 pm
Franklin better be glad it wasn’t Bear Bryant, Woody Hayes, Bo Schembechler, and most of all Bobby Knight or he would have gotten his butt whipped.
Bill Stanfill
October 17th, 2011
4:08 pm
Whatsamatter, Auburn fans, they don’t have a newspaper over there that gives you a blog to hang out on?
OOOPS–of course you don’t have one–I forgot: We’re talking about AUBURN. They truly don’t have newspapers over there. It’s OK, we understand, we know things are a little . . . deficient and . . . deprived over there.
not buying this
October 17th, 2011
4:08 pm
let’s see now, your Dream team is turning into a bunch of hoodlums and uga is still and will always be inbreds, idiots, cowards, temper headed c suckerssss
5150 UOAD
October 17th, 2011
4:09 pm
yadda……………The Journal-Constitution studied 54 public universities, “including the members of the six major Bowl Championship Series conferences and other schools whose teams finished the 2007-08 season ranked among the football or men’s basketball top 25.”
We all suspect that big-time student athletes sometimes aren’t the best and the brightest academically.
Just a portion you can read the rest for yourself.
Mike Bobo 17 INT
October 17th, 2011
4:09 pm
Jeff:
No questions some UGA fans are supporting Grantham, because Grantham’s actions epitomized the state of the UGA program….”thug.” The choke sign last year against Florida, then attempting to pick a fist fight with the Vandy coach.
Quite frankly we would expect nothing less. This program is tanked and in desperation to find some hope. Alabama, LSU and OU are class programs competing for additional national titles, while UGA has not competed for a national title in close to 30 years.
I realize everyone in Athens is not very keen on conduct and sportsmanship, but Grantham crossed the line on this one. Richt has not only lost control of his coaches, but he has also lost control of his players. I would to see one of Saban’s or Miles’ assistant coaches try one of these stunts.
Flat Tire on I-95 in Jacksonville
October 17th, 2011
4:10 pm
Tiger Dominator
Calm down bud ‘
You almost lost to Maryland
Say it again MARYLAND
Who has Bama or LSU almost lost too that is even Marylands caliber. You wont come close to beating Bama or LSU take off the beer goggles. Tailgaiting isnt for several more days
Tiger Dominator
October 17th, 2011
4:11 pm
Just telling you about my income to demonstrate we don’t all live in trailers in SC (except for coot fans.) And how can anyone from GA or AL say anything about SC? You guys live in third world countries. Wow.
Bottom line, UGA is now below the coots. You’re second rate, no longer in the conversation. Anyone getting owned by the coots should just go away. Auburn purchased a title. The only two SEC teams (and maybe Arky) who can talk are Bama and LSU.
But Clemson is better than any of them.
Shrimp Boat Bill
October 17th, 2011
4:13 pm
Thank goodness we are no longer the lavender scented porcelain Dogs, we have a coach who understands and loves the concept of Junkyard Dogs. Keep it coming, Coach! Erk would be proud.
5150 UOAD
October 17th, 2011
4:13 pm
UGA just had their ticket pinched to the SEC CG. Lattimore is out and UGA can’t possibly miss getting to the DOME can they?
Tiger Dominator
October 17th, 2011
4:13 pm
Jacksonville…there’s a fine town. NOT!
We were piddling with Maryland. Don’t all you SECleast fans cry because we have the best offensive studs in the nation. Just google Sammy Watkins and watch.
I’m saving this link for the BCS.
yadda, yadda, yadda.....
October 17th, 2011
4:14 pm
So Grantham went ape Shiite on the Vandy Head Coach after the game and go into a heated argument. Many of you are saying he should be fired. So what are your thoughts on Joe Paterno running the length of the field and angrily grabbing a ref after a game? The perception is that loveable “Joe Pa” is a role model and credit to the game. Should he have been fired? What’s your view of Paterno and his antics?
Terry
October 17th, 2011
4:15 pm
Tiger Dominator, Georgia’s 2010 total gross state product was $403.1 billion.Its Per Capita personal income for 2007 puts it 37th in the nation at $33,499. If Georgia were a stand-alone country, it would be the 28th largest economy in the world.
5150 UOAD
October 17th, 2011
4:15 pm
Tiger Dominator your team is OWNED by the Tech Yellow Jackets so don’t get too high too fast.
Double Zero Eight
October 17th, 2011
4:16 pm
Erk Russell would have been proud.
He would have most likely done the same thing.
Hit A Single
October 17th, 2011
4:16 pm
Go Dawgs!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I wish we could be the angels all these other schools think they are. Maybe one day we can measure up to their standards. The bottom line is that college football and basketball are going down hill everyday. They will be like the NFL soon and you wont be able to go to a game without getting shot at.
Buzzzzzzzz
October 17th, 2011
4:16 pm
Georgia Tech has the nation’s highest average SAT score for football players, and also the highest average high school GPA.
UGA, on the other hand, had one of the very lowest SAT averages, as well as a very low GPA average. As a result, three-fourths of UGA players are “special admits,” when means that they can not meet the minimum educational and intelligence requirements for admission to UGA, even as low as that is.
Yes, it would be great if Tech was more competitive with UGA, but most Tech fans are proud of our heritage of having intelligent, responsible athletes who go on to rewarding careers and contribute to society.
Contrast this with the very unintelligent t-h-u-g-s that UGA recruits. The 45 arrests over the last four years is proof enough, not to mention winning the Fulmer Cup. Most of these goons are tossed out after their eligibility is over, and many end up on welfare.
UGA is clearly just a football f-a-c-t-o-r-y dedicated to winning at all costs, and most UGA fans are okay with this, with no concern about the embarrassment this brings to the State of Georgia.
Mark Richt is the architect of this situation. With his $3.5 million salary, he will continue to recruit the illiterate brain-dead t-h-u-g-s who he thinks will win. Unfortunately for UGA fans, he’s not remotely in the same league with the top coaches in the SEC.
So the bottom line is that Georgia Tech – win or lose – does so with honor and integrity, while the lowlife gangbangers in Athens continue to embarrass us all.
And that’s aside from Grantham’s sleazy psychotic behavior.
yadda, yadda, yadda.....
October 17th, 2011
4:16 pm
Tiger Dominator
October 17th, 2011
4:11 pm
Your cred just went right down the crapper.
5150 UOAD
October 17th, 2011
4:17 pm
Terry that seem wrong. it may not be but this 10% unemployment and Foreclosure rate I find some of those numbers hard to swallow.
Chanticleer
October 17th, 2011
4:17 pm
I guess it’s too late to sweep this under the rug.
Flat Tire on I-95 in Jacksonville
October 17th, 2011
4:17 pm
Tiger Dominator
Georgia a third world country WOW
You do know that the Atlanta Metropolitan area has more people than the state of South Carolina
Talk about your blatant ignorance
TrishaDishaWarEagle
October 17th, 2011
4:17 pm
People call AU old fashioned for rallying around trees, but at least is isn’t a rock..But I do enjoy hearing Benjamin Franklin (Buck) Belue, Jr. say “Clemp son”.
Terry
October 17th, 2011
4:18 pm
Could be I got it off wiki.
Tiger Dominator
October 17th, 2011
4:19 pm
I’m top 1% in the world for income, and my school is in the US News’ top-10 public institutions.
Don’t cry boys, just telling it like it is.
And we have Dabo…and you have Richt and Chizik. LOL!