Todd Grantham needs to worry about coaching, not contract
Georgia defensive coordinator Todd Grantham shouldn't be making an issue of his contract in November. (Jason Getz)
If there is one thing that we have learned this season at Georgia, it’s that Todd Grantham is a pretty good coach. The Bulldogs’ defense has improved almost every week this season, and is miles ahead of what it was a year ago.
But we’ve witnessed, courtesy of YouTube, that sometimes Grantham just does dumb things – and here he goes again.
If you missed the stories earlier this week from our Chip Towers, Grantham’s agent is publicly pushing for a raise and contract extension for Georgia’s defensive coordinator. Never mind that the contract still has 14 months to run.
Agent Michael Harrison has been rebuffed by athletic director Greg McGarity, who says he won’t address coaches’ contracts until after the season. And sorry, but Mark Richt’s contract is a slightly higher priority.
Grantham is a coach. It would be a good idea to stick to that for possibly four more games and worry about his finances in January.
I’ve covered player and coach negotiations for nearly 30 years. Let me tell you how this works. Agents generally don’t go rogue. When they talk to the media, it’s at their clients’ urging and/or approval.
Harrison told Chip that he has gotten “inquiries” from NFL teams about Grantham returning to the league as an assistant. He claims he has gotten “feelers” from college teams about being a head coach.
These soundbites are all orchestrated. I understand Harrison is just doing his job for his client. But the client – Grantham – needs to understand bringing this up now is counterproductive. Seriously. Grantham expects the Bulldogs to make a commitment to a defensive coordinator less than two full years into a three-year contract when they haven’t even finalized the head coach’s future yet?
Consider the importance of Georgia’s potential four remaining games: 1) Kentucky, the potential SEC East-clincher; 2) Georgia Tech, the local rival; 3) LSU (probably), the SEC championship; 4) Bowl game opponent, which finalizes rankings and stature.
Should this really be an issue right now?
I’m guessing somebody said something to Grantham follow Monday’s initial story because by Tuesday Grantham was trying to say the right things. Following practice Tuesday night, he maintained that his focus was on the Kentucky game and not his contract.
But when he alluded to Harrison and said, “You hire people to do a job for you and I let him handle that part of it,” it missed the point. Agents work for their clients, not the other way around. This is a public issue now because of Grantham, not his agent.
One more thing: While it wouldn’t stun me if Grantham winds up returning to the NFL, I don’t buy Harrison’s claim of legitimate head coaching offers, certainly not at a major college. Any coordinator who has a head coaching offer would jump at it rather than worrying about using it as leverage.
In other words, this is all drivel we could’ve done without.
By Jeff Schultz
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424 comments Add your comment
Salinsa
November 16th, 2011
11:28 am
Wait a second, an AJC writer contacted Grantham’s agent about a story regarding a contract extension. His agent then answers the questions like any other agent would. AJC writer publishes the story and now all of a sudden, another AJC writer opines that Grantham should not be focused on contract extension. That series of events perfectly encapsulates this 21st century era of Internet journalism
RiffRaff
November 16th, 2011
11:28 am
Seems it is the AJC that keeps talking about Grantham’s or Richt’s contracts. Check out ESPN – atleast they have a number of articles about UGA and around the SEC, not just one drawn out subject.
truth
November 16th, 2011
11:28 am
Sorry Jeff, this story, unlike many you do, looks like a slow day…….
Gary Danielson, probably the best sports mind who covers the big gams for CBS and played in the trenches as a leader at the college and NFL level, said this of Gratham: “I know he has done some things that have gotten attention, but I want a guy like this on my sideline for my team” (as close to the quote as I can get).
wallyworld13
November 16th, 2011
11:28 am
So Jeff… when CTG says he’s not focusing on his contract… are you calling him a liar?
busterbrave
November 16th, 2011
11:28 am
who cares!!!
boog
November 16th, 2011
11:29 am
I can’t argue with your points. I am a huge Grantham fan and have been since the day he was hired. However, it it is true that he is the catalyst for this public contract talk, it is without a doubt an error in judgment. Not only the timing but the method itself.
Jeff Schultz
November 16th, 2011
11:29 am
Bill Stanfill — “Don’t you think it’s likely that Grantham will return to the NFL as a defensive coordinator?”
<< If he gets a NFL DC offer, it wouldn’t surprise me. That would be for more money (probably) and he had been in NFL 1999-2009 before going back to college (primarily it was a DC’s job).
Shultz sux
November 16th, 2011
11:31 am
Jeff Sjultze wrote:
“In other words, this is all drivel we could’ve done without.”
That is the way I feel about your words Jeff!
Jeff Schultz
November 16th, 2011
11:32 am
Gbal — I don’t think he’s distracted by contract to the point that they’re going to lose to Kentucky if that’s what your asking. But if 100 percent of his focus was on football, contract issue never would’ve been brought up by agent. That’s my point. If you’re OK with that, that’s fine.
War Dang Dawg
November 16th, 2011
11:33 am
Agree with your comments, and would add that Grantham’s sideline antics probably make him less attractive as a head coach candidate than this year’s results would warrant.
gbal
November 16th, 2011
11:34 am
In other words, this is all drivel we could’ve done without.
BG
November 16th, 2011
11:34 am
The AJC started all the talk about Granthams contract extension.
Jeff Schultz
November 16th, 2011
11:35 am
UGA Insider — “Dawg fans don’t worry about crap like this. McGarity will do the right job and UGA is LOADED with money.”
<<< Oh yeah. Having the money to spend isn’t the issue. Will be an interesting thing to watch, however, because McGarity follows Florida’s practice of not giving long-term extensions to assistant coaches. Grantham will still have 1 year left after this season. … College landscape has changed, though. Remember how many DC’s got raises and extensions a few years ago after being approached by Georgia: Smart, Foster, Chavis.
Honky Talkin
November 16th, 2011
11:35 am
Will UGA play more than 3 or 4 teams with a winning record next year? I’d be embrassed to represent the SEC East with such a pathetic schedule.
Jeff Schultz
November 16th, 2011
11:37 am
War Dang Dawg — Thank you, sir. You could be correct on the head coaching part of it but there’s a lot of ADs out there who have different mindsets when it comes to positives and negatives of a candidate.
Kramer
November 16th, 2011
11:38 am
Your last sentence reads…”In other words, this is all drivel we could’ve done without.” You are referring to your article right?
John Adams
November 16th, 2011
11:39 am
This article is a bigger reach than Wilt Chamberlain’s. It is seems the only place we keep hearing about this agent contract stuff is the AJC.. Hmmmm.
ty webb
November 16th, 2011
11:40 am
“contract issue never would’ve been brought up by agent.”
I think that’s a lie, jeff. Chip Towers asked the agent. the agent didn’t bring it up.
wallyworld13
November 16th, 2011
11:41 am
Hey Honky Talkin… they usually do play teams with winning records. It’s not UGA’s fault that Tenn., FL and Auburn stink this year. Even Ole Miss and Miss. St. usually end up with an overall winning record. And don’t even start with Coastal and New Mexico St. All the SEC Teams put a couple of cupcakes in their schedule each year, ESPECIALLY Florida. Look at their NC years and you’ll see 3 or 4.
Mark (another one)
November 16th, 2011
11:41 am
The Nutt announcement pointed out that head coaching jobs are going to be available. I am not surprised Grantham is interested in advancement and apparently neither is UGA. His agent effectively threw his hat in the ring for those opportunities. You don’t blame people for trying to get ahead in life. The timing is awful but he doesn’t control the timing.
Grantham is coaching his team getting ready for this Saturday. He is a coach and a damn good one. This isn’t a distraction to the team or to him. He also knows that his value will go down if the team plays poorly but I don’t think that’s his motivator. He wants to win. Simple.
If a head coaching opportunity is a good fit for Grantham, I expect him to take it. If not, I hope UGA would win out over the pros as a coordinator but sometimes the money is too much to resist. In any event, it is better to have assistants with options that assistants no one wants.
Woodrow F. Call
November 16th, 2011
11:41 am
Tell the agent we’ll get back to him after LSU.
Expecting a discount.
I can’t abide rudeness in a man.
Rob
November 16th, 2011
11:42 am
Here’s some contructive information — Dawgnation can send a message — Grantham’s attorney has had some trouble with the California Bar (see link below). Gotta wonder if he’s on the level…send him an email or call his office and tell him to lay off the press leaks!! mharrison30@aol.com – 661-257-2854 or fax him at 661-257-3068 (per the California Bar Directory) http://members.calbar.ca.gov/fal/Member/Detail/158983
5 Time National Champs Nebraska.
November 16th, 2011
11:42 am
Grantham’s a thug. UGA would be better off without him. His actions and demeanor rub off on his players, and thus the numerous problems this program has faced.
TheTruthHurts
November 16th, 2011
11:43 am
I am sure Richt is in a big hurry to get his contract extended because next year the schedule might not be so easy. Is that Saban on the horizon next year? Grantham might as well jump on the bandwagon too. MsGarity needs to do what he said he was going to do and wait until the season is over before talking contract extensions. LSU might be a little tougher then a lot of loud-mouth, know-it-all UGA fans think. Also let’s see what happens with the bowl game before doing the Richt-lovers a favor and extending Richt’s contract to ten years. McGarity can afford to wait. Richt and the Richt-lovers aren’t going anywhere. They’ll still be hanging around.
Flat Tire on I-95 in Jacksonville
November 16th, 2011
11:44 am
Grantham isnt going to the NFL
Most coaches dont last 4 yrs
Im sure he knows he will be around for 25 years as long as UGA wins 10 games and making that salary;
come on.
“The future so bright I got wear shades”
ty webb
November 16th, 2011
11:44 am
“Grantham’s a thug.”
a lawrence phillips kinda thug?
gbal
November 16th, 2011
11:44 am
So Jeff –
What your suggesting is that TG called his agent or the agetn called TG … the conversation took place that we need to get some press out there about a contract extension….. It was suggested by one of the two that the agent call a writer at the AJC and make the statements… and that TG Oked this? Just asking?
OkieDawg
November 16th, 2011
11:45 am
If Charlie Weis and Guz Malzahn are worth more than $1M, then based on performance, CTG is certainly in that range. And I don’t get why there is so much attention being given to the timing. Now, tomorrow or January who cares, so just do it.
Mexdawg
November 16th, 2011
11:45 am
Do not lose this coach he will bring us championships.Whatever it takes we need to keep this guy at UGA.Remember what happened when we lost Van Gorder.I don´t want to go through anything like that again.LET THE BIG DAWG EAT:
UGA has 5 National Titles if you count them like Tech Does
November 16th, 2011
11:47 am
Enter your comments here
5150 UOAD
November 16th, 2011
11:47 am
What is Bobo worth?
Mark (another one)
November 16th, 2011
11:48 am
It will be intersting to see if McGarity sticks to the one-year contracts for assistants. Past behavior doesn’t necessarily dictate the future. I bet McGarity evaluates all the factors including the market for defensive coordinators. If it dictates that top assistants get multi-year contracts, he will most likely do it.
I see the points in the article. I agree that his agent’s comments were either cleared by Grantham or they wouldn’t have been made. Grantham doesn’t have the kind of personality to take a back seat to an agent. I just don’t see it as an unusual issue with a successful coordinator during this time of year.
doug dawg
November 16th, 2011
11:49 am
hey, folks. extending contracts and giving pay raises at this point in time is like assuming a victorious outcome for the next four games. wait until the final smoke clears. mcg is right, and i am sure all the coaches understand his position. no one gives out contract extensions and pay hikes when the war isn’t won. patience. and jeff, no more such speculation now; it destroys focus for everyone involved.
Mash
November 16th, 2011
11:50 am
Totally agree.
gbal
November 16th, 2011
11:51 am
And Jeff, … Not asking if they are distracted to the point of loosing to Kentucky. I just dont thin TG or his agent called without proding or enticement and just offered up this information.
UGA has 5 National Titles if you count them like Tech Does
November 16th, 2011
11:54 am
1927, 1942, 1946, 1968, 1980
Blackberry Cobbler
November 16th, 2011
11:54 am
Shultz- another example of you spouting off at the mouth making assumptions about something you know nothing about. Why not do a real job of reporting and present some facts rather than accusations based on what you think you know based on 30 years experience at digging through the trash.
ty webb
November 16th, 2011
12:01 pm
gbal,
you’re correct. Schultz won’t respond to you beacuse he knows the whole premise of his blog entry is false. TG’s agent was asked by Towers. the agent(and TG) didn’t bring it up. TG’s focused on just winning the next game…as chip towers has already posted.
TROTTINGHOME
November 16th, 2011
12:06 pm
Dear Schultzie,
Please don’t worry about what Grantham needs to do…worry about your job…this article could have been written by any arm chair quarterback sitting on the toilet.
GTBob
November 16th, 2011
12:07 pm
He is making noise now because his stock will likely drop in the coming weeks. He has been coasting against really bad offenses for 8 weeks now. UGA will shut down Kentucky because Kentucky has the 3rd worst offense in all of college football. After that, there is considerable risk against GT, LSU, and whoever the bowl team is. Then again if he shuts all of those teams down his stock could go even higher.
Doofus
November 16th, 2011
12:08 pm
Who says he isn’t? More crappy headlines by the AJC! Come on guys, you’re better than this.
5150 UOAD
November 16th, 2011
12:09 pm
The more you people POST Blog hit the better Schultz does. You people are just not too smart. I hate Bradley so I don’t read what he rights and I don’t give him hits. if you want the writer to go away then don’t post. What part of Stupid don’t you people understand? I want the writer to lose his job so I will stay on his blog all day posting how much I hate him.
G
November 16th, 2011
12:10 pm
Perfect… I missed it by one day but I knew Shultz would come out with a negative article on something to do with UGA… There was just too much positive energy going for him…
RiffRaff
November 16th, 2011
12:12 pm
“I hate Bradley so I don’t read what he rights”?????????
5150 UOAD
November 16th, 2011
12:13 pm
writes is that better now?
Jeff
November 16th, 2011
12:13 pm
Why don’t you find something of substance and importance to write about instead of trying to cut down UGA coaches. Your view on TG’s contract mean nothing to him or anyone else. I get sick and tired of your dribble. That would be all his business and not yours, besides he said that was his agents job and he would let him do it. As far as you being a mind reader and reading their minds that’s a joke. There is no way you know what they are thinking or planning. Your speculation is meaningless, like most of your articles!
5150 UOAD
November 16th, 2011
12:14 pm
With BRADLEY what he Wrongs is probably closer to the truth.
RiffRaff
November 16th, 2011
12:15 pm
True
c u later
November 16th, 2011
12:16 pm
Here you go again Mr Schultz, sticking your nose in something that is not any of your business for the sake of trying to make a local coach look bad. I’ve never seen anyone who enjoys trying to destroy a person’s image more than you.
Red Dog 77
November 16th, 2011
12:16 pm
Schultz, give us a break. Is it not possible to instruct someone paid to work on your behalf to do his job without “worrying about it?” What part of this quote in yesterday’s article by Chip led you to believe that a story like this story is warranted?:
“…My focus is on getting the defense to play well and getting ready for the Kentucky game, and getting ready to win the SEC East, truthfully.”
It’s adults doing their jobs. You’re the only one tuning this into something it’s not.