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
ty webb
November 16th, 2011
3:20 pm
Jeff Schultz,
I apologize. I take Chip’s word that the agent sought him out first. Please forgive me.
Nooga Dawg
November 16th, 2011
3:24 pm
Don’t care about CTG’s contract or his agent at the moment. Just finish the season strong and all will be fine. Hell, if he needs a raise take it from Bobo’s salary.
Hi I go to GT
November 16th, 2011
3:25 pm
I make it rain in my dorm room at GT. GT numba won
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nzk6wJ43o5U
SanDiegoJacket
November 16th, 2011
3:27 pm
Grantham is Crowell when he’s grown up!! Two peas in a pod.
TO HELL WITH GEORGIA EVERY DAY IN EVERY WAY!!!!!
hogmtndawg
November 16th, 2011
3:28 pm
Hey Jeff, are they trying to squeeze you in the time slot between Jerry Springer and Maury? Man, this is weak. Another fine example of today’s hyper-sensitivity.
It's almost here
November 16th, 2011
3:29 pm
The annual post Thanksgiving Trek beatdown.
I can’t wait.
BBBWWWAAAAHHHAAA
62-39-5 coming soon.
Simeon Rice N Gravy
November 16th, 2011
3:30 pm
a man of character and dignity with free advice
“.the man is paid to write opinions, not to appease the delusional whims of the dawgtard nation…get your head out of Uga’s lap and move on..”
Actually the man IS paid to write opinions that SELL papers. Why would any Dawg fan buy a paper that constantly criticizes the state’s flagship university, even when things are going good? Like it or not, Bulldawg Nation is probably 75% of Georgia citizens.
It is my opinion that Bulldawg Nation is sick of Schultz’s back handed compliments and negative story lines day after day.
It's almost here
November 16th, 2011
3:33 pm
You’re 75% number is way too low.
Trek doesn’t even have a majority fanbase in a 15 mile radius of their stadium (which is never filled, even with the allure of a free hotdog and coke).
It's almost here
November 16th, 2011
3:35 pm
Paul Johnson is Susan Boyle and Chaz Bono all wrapped into one. The only other big and tall store in the southeast as prosperous as his, must be Charlie Weiss’. How do you grow a pants size from game to game.
It's almost here
November 16th, 2011
3:36 pm
Sorry Chaz, I forgot you had your mammaries removed, unlike Susan and Paul.
Simeon Rice N Gravy
November 16th, 2011
3:36 pm
^^^^ Elastic everything
5150 UOAD
November 16th, 2011
3:37 pm
ARDawg………….Bradley has been on a banning high as of late. Soon he will not have anybody on his blog. I understand the cussing and racial stuff, but some thing are not over the line.
It's almost here
November 16th, 2011
3:38 pm
Why is South Carolina still playing football with a .502 all time record?
It's almost here
November 16th, 2011
3:39 pm
Did Leonard Little ever get his drivers license back?
I thought I saw him getting held up by Nuk-Dog Richardson at a gas pump today.
Abnerish
November 16th, 2011
3:40 pm
You have to admit that from the reader’s viewpoint (prior to Chip’s info on the agent seeking him out) it appeared that this was all contrived by the AJC. Chip tosses it and Jeff knocks it out of the park. Seemed to be awfully coincidental.
I guess my question is did Chip get any compensation (read: $$$) for doing the agent’s and Grantham’s PR for them? Obviously, the article he wrote was exactly what the agent wanted to happen. Interesting that Chip would oblige. When I initially read Chip’s article, I assumed that his article was born out of his honest curiosity of Grantham’s contractual situation given the overwhelming success he has had this year. I guess I need to read articles from the AJC with a little more skepticism from now on.
News | MrSEC.com
November 16th, 2011
3:40 pm
[...] Todd Grantham says he’s focused on coaching, not contract extensions…5. But this writer believes Grantham instructed his agent to start angling for a new deal.6. Les Miles thinks Houston Nutt will land on his feet [...]
It's almost here
November 16th, 2011
3:40 pm
Is Muschump the worst SEC coach of all times?
Comes in to a loaded team and goes bowl-less.
NICE
what of it?
November 16th, 2011
3:41 pm
Grantham isn’t the sharpest tack in the box with respect to public relations. that’s for certain.
5150 UOAD
November 16th, 2011
3:42 pm
hogmtndawg
November 16th, 2011
3:28 pm
Hey Jeff, are they trying to squeeze you in the time slot between Jerry Springer and Maury?
Why because you want to watch your family members on TV while you read and comment on Jeff’s Blog?
Todd Gratham
November 16th, 2011
3:46 pm
Not sure why everyone is getting worked up over a little horseplay.
Willie Martinez
November 16th, 2011
3:46 pm
Yea, I never asked for contract extensions.
BiggdawgK
November 16th, 2011
3:53 pm
I know no one at all cares about the north avenue trade school but this is ridiculous. CPJ has his entire team acting like thugs. They try to punch out other players, they engage in some of the dirtiest cheap shots in college football and manage several dozen illegal blocks mixed in with their borderline legal blocks every game. What is most pathetic is the bugs still can’t win,
Somehow though this cretin and his coaching of career ending dirty football is not worthy of even being mentioned. No the ajc and it’s staff of moronic hacks would rather write about a UGA coach ’s agent wanting a contract extension.
It is no big surprise though. When you consider the cheating and lieing that has gone on at the trade school in the hood since cpj has been there it should make even the lowliest murderer sick. However north avenue’s acc championship being stripped barely even rated a mention in the ajc. Despite the trade school being investigated for a lengthy period of time before being punished and sanctioned, the ajc and their intrepid investigators felt like the story didn’t deserve any coverage.
JSS
November 16th, 2011
3:53 pm
OH i see that the silly season is almost upon us… Immature people living through 18-22 boys ruining a perfectly good holiday season… Sigh… Message to all of you, pssst… Your teams aren’t that good and it is called the “Mythical National Championship” for a reason! Division 1 College football is “Lord of the Rings” for Southern folks and the criminally insane!!!
BiggdawgK
November 16th, 2011
4:08 pm
The north avenue trade school having a lengthy investigation that uncovered a litany of cheating and lies that resulted in one of their only championships being stripped barely got a mention by the intrepid staff at the ajc.
The north avenue trade school and it’s coach paul johnson run the dirties program in college football. Players are coached to mis illegal blocks in with borderlind legal blocks and the players throw late hits and punchs at will during every gane. Somehow none of this garners a mention from the ajc slack jawed morons.
An agent wanting to extend his clients contract though. That is stop the presses front page news.
PTC DAWG
November 16th, 2011
4:08 pm
The food and more blog isn’t bad.
ThreeDawgKnight
November 16th, 2011
4:09 pm
Jeff;
I’m sure you will never read tis far down,
but what did Grantham do to you ?
Give you a wedgie after a presser once ?
harold
November 16th, 2011
4:20 pm
RICHT IS 1-9 AGAINST RANKED TEAMS. THE LAST 6 OUT OF 8 TEAMS HE BEAT ALL HAD “LOSING RECORDS”——-COASTAL CAROLINA, OLE MISS, TENNESSEE, MISSISSIPPI STATE AND NEW MEXICO STATE! AUBURN AND FLORIDA ARE JUST HORRIBLE FOOTBALL TEAMS. MUSCHAMP WILL BE FOEY’S “ZOOK TWO” AND LIKE DOOLEY AT TENNESSEE BOTH WILL BE FIRED SOON.
FACT: RICHT HAS LOST 14 GAMES IN THE LAST THREE YEARS.
FACT: BOBO IS A JOKE.
FACT UGA WOULD BE FOURTH IN THE SEC WEST BEHIND LSU-BAMA AND ARKANSAS.
FACT: I STILL CONTEND IT IS TIME FOR RICHT TO GO!
ty webb
November 16th, 2011
4:25 pm
“FACT UGA WOULD BE FOURTH IN THE SEC WEST BEHIND LSU-BAMA AND ARKANSAS.”
Harold,
all caps aside, hypotheticals are not “facts”.
Apostle
November 16th, 2011
4:39 pm
This is a case of CTG putting his foot in his mouth….again!
North ave. faithful
November 16th, 2011
4:43 pm
way to go schultz, now ya got harold all stirred up.
TC
November 16th, 2011
4:44 pm
Schultz— you are a victim of that rag you work for. Grantham stated he wants an extension only b/c you meat-heads in the media first starting talking about his current contract. He is obviously very focused on his job and getting his players ready to play. Again, the media manipulates information.
5150 UOAD
November 16th, 2011
4:55 pm
Not really. Harold will be going to bed soon after his meds kick in.
Juice
November 16th, 2011
4:56 pm
Jeff- be honest (I know that’s a tough job) you have a h__d-on for coach Todd…I could care less what you write…. sometimes your funny….but when it comes to CTG you have an axe to grind.. Just tell the truth… you don’t like him…. then the readers would know going in…
P.S. next time your at the Masters…. leave the bulejeans at home….It’s Augusta National..for god’s sake…
Northern Sympathizer
November 16th, 2011
5:05 pm
As a graduate in Journalism from UGA, I have enjoyed how Shultz and Chip have handled this story in their two articles.
Two points I would like to make:
1) I was one of the UGA fans calling for CMR’s head after the SC game and I now recognize that position was premature;
2) I agree with Jeff Schultz that Grantham needs to focus on coaching for the time being. The jury is out for me over Todd Grantham despite the play of his defense. There are some behavior issues going on there. It intrigues me as to how calm CMR is despite the fact that he likes to surround himself with rather spirited assistants (Van Gorder/CTG). I think these coaches need to find a happy middle-ground between spirit and focus.
Sam
November 16th, 2011
5:06 pm
Brilliant work by his agent, nd he’s telling the truth.
Programs all voer the country, NFL & NCAA, scour top defensive rankings and grab those coaches, look at the newq Texas defensive coach.
If McGarity doesn’t extend Grantham immediately, and loses Grantham, he should be fired.
dawgfan
November 16th, 2011
5:06 pm
This is a very bitter and vindictive column. Grantham must have given Schultz a wedgie and stuffed him in his locker at some point. In all seriousness, I read the story about Grantham’s contract and not once did I think “what in the hell is he doing? He needs to concentrate on coaching!!!” I just thought it was a perfectly innocuous story about the business of college football, but somehow Schultz turns it in to an indictment of Todd Grantham and everything the man stands for. Its almost as if he used it as an excuse to post that YouTube clip again.
Good grief Schultz needs help.
5150 UOAD
November 16th, 2011
5:06 pm
Why can’t people wear Bluejeans at the Masters? Some Bluejeans cost more than you khaki Dockers.
5150 UOAD
November 16th, 2011
5:10 pm
Jeff Schultz is so Powerful he is going to bring down the UGA football coaching staff.
Jeff please don’t ever get too mad at the coaches I like. You have TOO DAMN MUCH POWER. With much power comes much responsibility.
phil
November 16th, 2011
5:11 pm
Please, TG, pack it up and leave…
You idiot coaches are a dime a dozen anyway….no one with an ounce of sense cares what you do.
savannahdawg
November 16th, 2011
5:15 pm
The team is having a good year and what do you do? Still the pot a little, start some crap just because you need something negative to write about. You must be the new Terrence Moore. You are such an expert, you know how it works?
Who cares whether TG and/or his agent called or not. This is sport these days. The team is riding an excellent hot streak. Everyone knows TG has had alot to do with it. Of course the bug is going to be placed int he AD’s ear. Hello……….Shultzy……………
So many positives going on right now and you pick the one negative. That is why you suck as a writer. You moral ethics suck!!!
And proof read your work please……….the typo’s are killing me.
Couldnt' resist
November 16th, 2011
5:20 pm
“Who cares whether TG and/or his agent called or not. This is sport these days. The team is riding an excellent hot streak. Everyone knows TG has had alot to do with it. Of course the bug is going to be placed int he AD’s ear. Hello……….Shultzy……………
So many positives going on right now and you pick the one negative. That is why you suck as a writer. You moral ethics suck!!!
And proof read your work please……….the typo’s are killing me.”
There’s no such word as “alot.” It’s “a lot.” Then YOU have a typo. And proofread is one word. Just sayin’ – maybe you shouldn’t be throwing stones.
schultz for brains
November 16th, 2011
5:21 pm
once again the article was not worth my time or effort.
North ave. faithful
November 16th, 2011
5:29 pm
savannnah dawg “still the pot”, might want to check your typing.
Studawg
November 16th, 2011
5:31 pm
Why did I waste time reading this article?!?!?! Grantham didnt do or say anything! THE ONLY DRIVEL IS IN THIS ARTICLE!!!! Chip asked his agent a question and he answered it! Any agent worth a dam would have said the same thing!
THE MAIN MAN
November 16th, 2011
5:31 pm
I put a major hex on schultz and I don;t want a raise.
T-Dawg
November 16th, 2011
5:32 pm
Whenever I read one of Sgt. Shultz’s columns, I think “Barbisol”…
pay up!
November 16th, 2011
5:35 pm
GA needs to pay grantham whatever his attorney is demanding–he’s worth it—even it takes $2 mil per year!
abravefan
November 16th, 2011
5:37 pm
A dumb column (like many) by Sgt. Schultz.
Joey
November 16th, 2011
5:38 pm
“And sorry, but Mark Richt’s contract is a slightly higher priority.”
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Why? Mark Richt would be discussing with Kathryn about their mission destination for 2012 right now if not for Grantham.
If Mark Richt lets Todd Grantham get away, this would be his second, idiotic move of letting a proven, excellent (not just good, Jeff) DC leave for lack of salary.
Would any Dawg fan trade him for the 1st three guys that got offered the job a couple of years ago?
Maybe for Chavis, maybe not. Grantham has had 1 recruiting class to pick the players he needs for his defense. He has brought UGA’s defense from laughable (40th) to nearly the best in the country in less than 2 seasons.
Beast from the East
November 16th, 2011
5:38 pm
Grantham has turned UGA’s defense into a really solid group this season. That said, he’s got no class.