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
Gamecock
October 17th, 2011
4:45 pm
Umm, Tiger Dominator, how about some truth?
Didn’t the lowly Gamecocks beat your a$$ the last two years?
Didn’t you have a losing record last year?
Didn’t South Florida beat you in a so-called bowl?
(Bet he doesn’t post anymore.)
greg
October 17th, 2011
4:46 pm
From “Rally” at 4:32…
Paul Finebaum just said it right: “I wish Franklin would have taken Grantham’s head off. Somebody needs to put that smart (blank) coach in his place.”
I’m not sure what is funnier. You quoting Finebaum with a straight face, PF thinking the Vandy coach could take CTG out, or the day dream I was having of Finebaum saying that to CTG and me having a ring side seat.
hold on I'm still laughing.....
October 17th, 2011
4:46 pm
Clemson fan finally coming out of closet?! How many years has it been since they’ve done ANYTHING of relevance……Refrigerator Perry was still 750 pounds, hehehe
Gamecock
October 17th, 2011
4:47 pm
Hey Tiger Dominator:
Didn’t the Gamecocks obliterate you last year, and the year before?
Didn’t you have a losing season last year?
Didn’t you lose to South Fla?
(Bet he goes away now.)
A quick note
October 17th, 2011
4:50 pm
@Tiger Dominator, I’m apologize, I thought you were a RELEVANT Tiger, such as the ones from LSU…..You’re a tigger from Clemson…..ROFL!!!!!
Kyle
October 17th, 2011
4:50 pm
Perhaps Jeffery you could write an article about the Vandy coach and how out of line it was for a HEAD COACH to act like he did…..total BS that everyone putting this on Grantham…..oh, and while your at it, perhaps you can ask him to address the chop blocks……..come on Jeff…you idiot sportwriters amaze me…
bamaguy
October 17th, 2011
4:50 pm
As far as this incident, I think they both behaved like immature children. Let’s let the SEC sort it out because both fan bases are prejudiced toward their coach.
Flat Tire on I-95 in Jacksonville
October 17th, 2011
4:51 pm
Tiger Dominator
I laughing so hard once again at your Trailer Park Ignorance
You stated
“Any team that lets the chickens beat them regularly should crawl in a hole”
UGA is 41-17-4 against Clemp-son
No I think it is you that needs to crawl in a hole and have another beer. The thought of that record would make me delusional too.
Oh and as Ive told others on here. I dont spell check so dont bother wasting your beer time correcting my posts.
If grammar is going to be your best comeback then you might want to go play in the academic bowl.
5150 UOAD
October 17th, 2011
4:51 pm
How many on these blogs actually suit-up for the games? Not sure if many that comment even go to 1 game per year much less season ticket holders.
bamaguy
October 17th, 2011
4:52 pm
5150 wasn’t it 1998 or something? I think Tennessee won the first one. I’ll go google.
Kyle
October 17th, 2011
4:52 pm
Greg…you’re a complete idiot and moron……go crawl back into your hole and get off the blog
Tiger Dominator
October 17th, 2011
4:52 pm
If we played UGA today, in that dump called Athens, we would be 17 point favorites.
Kyle
October 17th, 2011
4:53 pm
HA! sorry Greg…..meant Rally……..my appogogies
5150 UOAD
October 17th, 2011
4:54 pm
bamaguy you might be right. I don’t remember what year the BCS started either.
ok
October 17th, 2011
4:54 pm
Congrats bamaguy for a constructive statement…..that wasn’t a typical bamard comment….refreshing
Kyle
October 17th, 2011
4:55 pm
Tiger……dump called Athens???? This from a moron whose team plays in a cow pasture…..among the patties……come to think of it….pretty fitting for you
Dirty Dawg
October 17th, 2011
4:56 pm
I say again, the whole, sorry, mess was a series of over-reacting to the situation at hand, to wit: Grantham reacted to Franklin’s reaction to Shawn Williams’ reaction to a game-long series of cheap-shots that were, intentionally, installed to ‘bait’ Georgia – and it worked. So who’s responsible? Everybody? The one that planned the ‘cheap-shot’ strategy? You decide.
shankit
October 17th, 2011
4:56 pm
I would prefer Georgia coaches have the sideline demeanor
of their walk on now coaching at Florida.
5150 UOAD
October 17th, 2011
4:57 pm
I don’t remember the Clemson stadium filling the field with backed-up sewage.
dogcatchergeneral
October 17th, 2011
4:57 pm
What an indictment on THUGA and THUGA fans. Wow. You guys now support outright embarrassing behavior on a regular basis by your coordinator who happens to be on national TV. Your program has always been corrupt and full of thuggery….but now it’s out of control.
TrishaDishaWarEagle
October 17th, 2011
4:58 pm
@Bamaguy, yes..funny how a few UGA and ‘clemp son’ fans can make me buddy up to bama fans..
After LSU dismantled the best the PAC 12 has to offer on opening day, I maintained the LSU / Alabama game is this years defacto national championship unless there is an unforeseen series of injuries. The winner will crucify the SEC least in the Dome like AU did to SC last year, then rip chokelahoma in the BCS title game(sponsored by Doritos..they sue if you don’t mention that)
A quick note
October 17th, 2011
4:58 pm
As lewis grizzard said “Clemson, it’s like an auburn by a lake”! And that wasn’t a compliment in case your tigger mind thought.
IPTAY, It's probation time again y'all
October 17th, 2011
4:59 pm
Perhaps Clemson can get to its first BCS bowl game and improve on the ACC’s 2-11 all-time record. During this same time period, the SEC has 14 BCS bowl wins, so please go sell crazy some place else Tiger Dominator.
Flat Tire on I-95 in Jacksonville
October 17th, 2011
4:59 pm
Tiger Dominator
Sure like 1991 when Clemson was last relevant and we know what happened in Athens
bamaguy
October 17th, 2011
5:00 pm
ok, thanks. I am an actual Alabama graduate. Many of these posters never darkened the door of the university they are so passionate about (that applies to all the schools, not just UGA).
The BCS started in 1998 and Tennessee won the first one. The power of Google.
A quick note
October 17th, 2011
5:01 pm
Not a very classy comment trisha
Techfansstayoffblog
October 17th, 2011
5:01 pm
Schultz you are completely wrong on this one. Grantham did what every passionate coach would do if another coach yelled at their players. @rally knows nothing of what he’s talking about. If he was a true Florida fan he wouldve been watching that pathetic excuse for a game between them and Auburn Saturday. Yall need a lot more help that UGA does buddy. And I’m sure you think the way Will Muschamp acts is respectful? Every Florida game I watch he is constantly whining to the officials about how horrible a job theyre doing. He is a BABY! Grow up!! He spends more time whining to the officials rather than coaching his pathetic team.
Jordan
October 17th, 2011
5:01 pm
http://isportsweb.com/2011/10/17/east-title-for-dawgs-tainted/
Evansdawg
October 17th, 2011
5:01 pm
I think it really depends on what exactly Coach Franklin said to Shawn Williams. It wasn’t very nice, and it was not without its own profanity. Both of these coaches were wrong to carry on the way they did. But when is the last time it was deemed appropriate for a HC to verbally attack the player of an opposing team?
Flat Tire on I-95 in Jacksonville
October 17th, 2011
5:02 pm
That dump called Athens has been ranked as one of the top college towns and places to retire
Clemson has been ranked as one of the top places to feed cows and raise chicken farms
chuck
October 17th, 2011
5:02 pm
The Vandy coach is far from innocent. I don’t see you or anybody else piling on him.
He is just as guilty as Grantham. I’m glad we have a coach at Georgia that has some guts to stand up for his players. Gutless Richt won’t do it. I imagine the players appreciate Grantham standing up for them. Richt’s attitude is wearing thin with me.
georgedawg
October 17th, 2011
5:05 pm
Jeff, Your a bore. We’ve put up with you and Bradley long enough. Can’t you find another paper. We need some fresh journalism. Please AJC give us some relief! Gratham’s a coach not a saint.
Casual Observation
October 17th, 2011
5:05 pm
TRISHA probably has a mustache.
proud
October 17th, 2011
5:06 pm
bamaguy, that was a smug comment…I graduated and am just waiting on flight for business trip…are you working today or is that bama degree another worthless piece of paper?
TrishaDishaWarEagle
October 17th, 2011
5:07 pm
@a quick note
Since Urban and Saint Timothy of the Tebow(I love that guy btw) left UF, SEC LEAST has entered the public vernacular and Chokelahoma was already there due to their penchant for going 11-1 and losing the biggie.
Casual Observation
October 17th, 2011
5:08 pm
Bamaguy, works at wal-mart where he’s already in line in hopes that bama wins the nat’l. championship trophy and brings to a wal-mart near him
Delbert D.
October 17th, 2011
5:08 pm
Need to get verification from the Vanderbilt player (Monahan) for the full scene, but in slo-mo, Grantham ended his tirade with f u a h.
Tiger Dominator
October 17th, 2011
5:09 pm
Again, no UGA fan will comment about how much better Clemson is than them. We would own them, and you got beat by the chickens. LOL!
Stewie Griffin
October 17th, 2011
5:09 pm
Anybody want to go outside and pass my head around at halftime?
ga gator
October 17th, 2011
5:10 pm
Pat Dooley of the Gainesville Sun had a funny tweet today when he asked: How much would you pay to see Muschamp and Grantham go at on the 50 yardline in Jax. Schultz you are too politically correct; if Richt is not upset then a writer for the AJC who did not attend UGA should not be.
Casual Observation
October 17th, 2011
5:10 pm
tiger dominator,
you haven’t commented or answered the last year clemson even finished in the top 10. 1990???
congratulations on finally making an appearance to relevancy!
A quick note
October 17th, 2011
5:11 pm
Still with the classy comments trish or is it trash? oops
stendek
October 17th, 2011
5:11 pm
I like you Jeff but I agree to disagree here. Had Todd Grantham gone after the Vandy head man without being provoked I would agree. Who is going to stand up for a Dawg player verbally attacked by an opposition coach? Saint Mark Wretch? No with a capital N. Mike Dodo? Please spare me. No. That chore fell to the defensive coordinator. I felt he did an admirable job. Grantham did not punch the guy in the jaw then initiate a piledriver on him. So I believe the DC displayed tremendous restraint. It is my opinion the defensive coordinator is the only coach on UGA staff with any intestional fortitude whatsoever. Saint Wretch should have been the one defending his player. That is what a true head coach would do. Oh well. Keep on keeping on. Peace.
Delbert D.
October 17th, 2011
5:12 pm
As a mustache American, I resent any comments made against my fellows, male or female.
bamaguy
October 17th, 2011
5:13 pm
There is just a difference between a school’s “fans” and their alumni. And its true all over the south. The alumni put the school first, and it’s sports teams second. The fans don’t give a rip about academic standing or the school’s overall reputation, they only want to win football games.
TrishaDishaWarEagle
October 17th, 2011
5:14 pm
parting shot …
I wonder what would occur if Grantham pulled that in knoxville?
I bet Barbara Dooley could take him..
True Dawg
October 17th, 2011
5:14 pm
Stupid article Schultz!!! All you do is talk about Richt has no passion, or emotion and now you get on to Grantham for passion- what gives??????
Casual Observation
October 17th, 2011
5:15 pm
trisha has to leave. getting her upper lip waxed
Chaz Henry
October 17th, 2011
5:16 pm
After he gave me the choke sign, I told him FU and he hid behind the Pracher, and I then kicked the winning field goal
bamaguy
October 17th, 2011
5:17 pm
That’s funny, Trisha.