Grantham now providing the right highlights at Georgia
Mark Richt and Todd Grantham both earned contract extensions. (Brant Sanderlin/AJC)
ATHENS – Once you get past the standard, astronomic, cartoon-like expectations of spring — Will Georgia go 13-1 next season? Maybe 14-0 if the dang, cheatin’ refs ain’t from Bessemer? — it’s worth noting that Todd Grantham has accomplished something pretty significant in Athens.
Something even bigger than evolving from sideline sideshow on YouTube — and who knew that was possible?
The Bulldogs, the team headed by a former offensive coordinator (Mark Richt), the program that recently had produced the likes of A.J. Green and Matthew Stafford — only to too often get punched in the mouth by Alabama, Florida or LSU — has discovered the key to success in the SEC.
Defense.
Who knew?
It’s important to note that college football in general, and the SEC in particular, doesn’t mirror the changing NFL. The pros have become pass-happy on offense. That means nickel defenses are now the rule, not the exception (which means old-school middle linebackers such as Curtis Lofton, who neither pass rush nor drop into coverage, can’t command the lofty free-agent dollars they used to).
But defense still rules in the SEC, and this is where Georgia’s return to relevance comes in.
When Grantham — Richt’s fourth choice as defensive coordinator — was hired two years ago, the Dogs were coming off a season in which they ranked 38th in total defense and 63rd in points against. The question wasn’t whether Willie Martinez would get fired, the question was whether he would be able to make it out of the parking lot.
Oh, boy. Here we go again.
Grantham, now in his third spring with the Dogs, has brought success — the defense ranked fifth in yardage last season, 23rd in scoring and third in third-down efficiency– but more important he has changed the mentality and the focus at Georgia.
When asked what is different now from what he saw on tape from Georgia players when he arrived, Grantham said, “The biggest thing we’ve done is we’ve become more resilient. We’ve learned to play every play. Did guys learn our system better last season? Yes. Were guys more comfortable? Yes. But playing the next play, competing, playing the game the way you’re supposed to, with effort, with toughness — that’s it. We’re tougher mentally. We’re tougher physically.”
There will be no cartoon-like predictions here. But that change in philosophy, combined with the Dogs’ soft-as-nougat-schedule next season, does set up for a potentially — potentially — special season. Also, Grantham seems to have learned from his own head-exploding tendencies.
“I’m driven,” he said, in comical understatement.
Driven — sort of like how Yosemite Sam was driven to get Bugs Bunny, only to inadvertently wire his boot to the dynamite.
Grantham admits he has “lived and learned. There are cameras everywhere.”
Two years ago, one spotted him grabbing his throat and yelling, “You’re gonna [bleepin'] choke” at Florida kicker Chas Henry, as the 21-year-old was lining up for a potential game-winning field goal.
Last season came the postgame skirmish with Vanderbilt coach James Franklin, fueled in part by Grantham’s beliefs that the Commodores were playing dirty.
Days following each incident, Grantham expressed regret. “I’ll use it as a learning experience,” he said of the Franklin confrontation.
So it won’t happen again?
“We’ll see,” he said, smiling. “When you put a hundred hours a week into something, you’ve got a pretty vested interest in it.”
Two embarrassing incidents had the potential to derail things. But Grantham has managed to overcome, well, himself.
The defense succeeded last season despite having 11 different lineups in 14 games because of suspensions and injuries. Georgia has great athletes, but that always has been the case. College teams aren’t defined by the number of stars on letter-of-intent day, they’re defined by how players develop and play.
“In this profession you either get better or worse, so you can’t stop teaching,” Grantham said. “In the pros [as an assistant with Dallas] I saw that if a guy knew that you could make him better and extend his career, you never had issues with him. At this level, you’re obviously developing more. But when players know you have a genuine interest in them and they believe in you, that goes a long ways.”
Grantham spent 11 years in the NFL. When asked if he prefers coaching in college, he said, “Obviously, I wanted to come here. I was friends with Nick Saban and used to watch him when he was at LSU. Systematically, we’re pretty similar. I felt like we could have that kind of success.”
The Dogs aren’t nearly at the Saban level of success. But at least they’ve figured out which side of the ball matters most.
By Jeff Schultz
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458 comments Add your comment
WE ARE...
March 29th, 2012
8:14 am
THUG-U!!!!
Hilton Head.o.k.
March 29th, 2012
8:19 am
Truly study the game of football,
the trends, and what’s going on.
phil
March 29th, 2012
8:29 am
LOL….the entire defense is gradually being suspended under Grantham’s fine care! We’re a laughing stock…
Fire em all!!
Move along, nothing to see here
March 29th, 2012
8:32 am
No discipline problems here, remain calm, all is well.
EGD
March 29th, 2012
8:38 am
Yeah that grantham and richt sure have a good handle on the program. How many suspensions is that now? lol. and 2-4 games? getting a dui or pot is 1-2 game. so what could 2-4 be? possibly getting busted again! with drugs. only uga and a few other sec schools allow this bs to continue over and over.
Buckeye
March 29th, 2012
8:56 am
Great day to be a Buckeye. Final Four Weekend and Urban takes to Spring Practice.
Bad day to be a dog. Ogeltree and Rambo dissapoint. Two bad dogs.
Concerned
March 29th, 2012
9:05 am
Love Coach Grantham for his passion, but it is his knowledge that is getting this job done. In the past, many from our LB group, as well our Secondary were badly out of place. We thought we were too small at the corners or just playing not smart. It was all about Willie putting guys out of postition, and it showed as we were once lit up for way too many points.
So it pays to bring in the right guy, as well pay for him. Grantham is a quality guy, and knows how to manage his players.
As for our HC and his management, well that is greatly under question. More players acting like fools, plus more suspensions coming. If we have four or seven caught dope smoking or worse (Say Crack Smoking) then we have four to six times that amount. So say we have 20 to 30 that are off somewhere else most of the time. Would this be representative of the general public, the high school systems, as well the culture of the players coming out of some of these areas?
If these players had to wait till there were seniors to graduate and go into the NFL, then they would use some common sense and not do the dope thing. Since they know they are two or three and done, they do what they want because they are here and gone, as well could care less about a degree. So four starters are gone, and you know there will be more as it is only March.
TampaGator
March 29th, 2012
9:06 am
In all honesty, I feel sorry right now for Dawg fans. The behavior of some of Georgia’s players, mostly on defense, is downright embarrassing. Question: Grantham presents himself in a certain way (not always very postive)….so what influence is he having on his players? It seems like a lot……(not always very postive).
TampaGator
March 29th, 2012
9:08 am
“Grantham is a quality guy, and knows how to manage his players.”
@concerned
I am not so sure about that.
TampaGator
March 29th, 2012
9:12 am
I guess Saban only recruits angels….because no Alabama football players ever gets in trouble….as long as they are under Saban’s protection. Just saying.
5150 UOAD
March 29th, 2012
9:13 am
Do the players Think they are NOT going to get caught? They KNOW the RULES. Richt has made sure the Rules are understood so what is the problem? I don’t get it. We make fun yes but this is getting OLD. Yes these are teenagers to young men and they make mistakes. Too many keep doing it when they know the rules. This was supposed to be a great year(and still could be) but some players are making if very difficult on their teammates.
TampaGator
March 29th, 2012
9:13 am
Should have typed,,,,,,,”get into trouble”……sorry….have not had my coffee yet.
9 Losses in a Row to teams made AP Poll Top 25 - not since beating Georgia tek # 13 in 2009. 7 Losses in a Row to teams who made AP Poll Top 10 - not since beating Auburn # 9 in 2006.
March 29th, 2012
9:16 am
Todd Grantham is not to blame for the fact that Mark Richt did not kick off his Starters like Mark Richt did his back-ups.
Todd Grantham did not give up all the points Aaron Murray gave up fumbling and throwing interceptions in every key situation against every team who made the top 25.
Todd Grantham was, as you know, criticized by Mark Richt at the Vandie game – for example.
This is Mark Richt’s program and it is OUT OF CONTROL.
Wet Willie...keep on smiling
March 29th, 2012
9:18 am
Gator get off Saban’s dickie sport! UF and UGA lead the pack on arrest yet your two hypocrite presidents worry about greyshirt! There is not a player on the UGA team that fears Mark Richt!!! Not a one. The conduct of the players on the sideline tells a true story of the discipline at UGA! Thugs R Uz! Denial is your tradition so get after it Dawgs. Ruff Ruff.
"Boss" Tweed
March 29th, 2012
9:25 am
I can’t even defend the Dawgs anymore. Yall Techies and Bammers have your fun, there is no defense or explanation that I can post anymore. Just plain embarassing
Dr. Phil
March 29th, 2012
9:31 am
I was at the Outback Bowl when an average MSU team moved the ball the length of the field with no timeouts to tie the game, then win in overtime.
Lester Maddox
March 29th, 2012
9:33 am
“What Georgia needs are higher quality prisoners.”
Real world
March 29th, 2012
9:42 am
When you watch Bama, there is NO doubt who is in charge. When you watch Thug-U, the playuhs are in control. I.E. when that punk Crowell just walked away from Richt.
Wet Willie...keep on smiling
March 29th, 2012
9:49 am
You know you have a problem when the AD is asked to handle the situation instead of the HC! Duron Carter has been at Alabama for over a year( seems like 4 years) and 1st it was grades from Juco and now he’s been suspended by Nick. His Dad spends a lot of time in T-town but really football doesn’t mean that much to a spoiled player that he will do the right thing. The fact is we have about 6-8 more years of college football before thug players and coaches will ruin what a lot of great coaches and players created over the past 100+ years and that my friends is just damn sad. The coaches can only do so much and trying to teach kids what they should have learned at home is asking a lot. This is just a society problem that will only get worse. The “let everyone play two innings was bullshit from the get go”. Give Richt a break on this one for this is only ignorance and nothing more.
crossdawg
March 29th, 2012
9:51 am
Grantham’s good for the program. I think he has the GATA spirit.
Maybe in his spare time he can help CMR find some more thugs to recruit.
georgiasouthernalum
March 29th, 2012
10:13 am
Grantham’s good for the program. The Clark County Jail program so they can get those Obama dollars! When are you going to clean up your act UGA!
promethius
March 29th, 2012
10:25 am
So, UGa is awash in disciplinary issues, and who are they considering to bring in to coach these thugs? “Drunk behind the wheel” Hines Ward. Go figure!
A Father
March 29th, 2012
10:31 am
We knew Mark Richt was not a leader and was lazy, now it seems like Todd Grantham is a thug himself, all his prior videos from pro and two years at GA are quite telling with the total lack of discipline from his players as well as himself. Congratulations Georgia: Just when you think you hit a low you go find a way to go lower. Maybe, just maybe, the new pedophile strength and comditioning coach from Penn St will be able to ” Rub a little soap on the boys and play slip and slide”, GA is without a doubt at the bottom of all institiutional athletic departments.
DawgSTILE
March 29th, 2012
10:41 am
Chip Towers cut comments on the “rambone & tree” story faster than a UGA defensive player can bitch-slap his girlfriend or buy a bag of dope. UGA should follow the example ALABAMA sets – both ON & OFF the field. My is that Coach Sabin handsome too.
Snoop Dawg
March 29th, 2012
10:42 am
Well, Rambo and Ogletree suspended again, huh?
Where is our Three Million Dollar Man Markt Wrecked? What kind of leadership is this? Half the team have either quit or become convicts.
It’s called leadership. Saban has it. Richt does not.
Enjoy another miserable year you stupd UGA fans. You are the ones with the votes who just gave Preacha Man an extension for a mediocre season with the easiest schedule in the history of the SEC.
Eat that broccoli…
Tide Rising
March 29th, 2012
10:50 am
TampaGator
March 29th, 2012
9:12 am
“I guess Saban only recruits angels….because no Alabama football players ever gets in trouble….as long as they are under Saban’s protection. Just saying.”
Tampagator,
The facts speak otherwise. During Saban’s first year and a half 7-8 players were arrested. The Tuscalossa News even did a series of articles asking if Bama players were being singled out for arrest by the TPD. What started it was when Rashad Johnson was arrested for brawling inside a bar and a 5 minute video of his “brawling” completely vindicated him and charges were drop.
There’s no protecting Bama players. Currently 3 or more Bama players are under team suspension for breaking team rules and may never play again including our most promising wideout Duron Carter-son of NFL hall of famer Cris Carter.
The reason only 1 Bama player has been arrested in the past 1 and a half is because Saban has instilled a sense of discipline and expectations that other programs simply do not have. Screw up and embarrass the team and the university and you are gone. End of story. When you look at our players both on and off the field one thing comes to mind- discipline. And we will not apologize for Saban running our program with an iron fist and a sense military style discipline that keeps our players out of the headlines.
Parade of Knuckleheads
March 29th, 2012
10:54 am
Grantham
has done a poor job keeping the defensive players out of trouble.
A Father
March 29th, 2012
11:00 am
Many state that I am not a loyal GA fan. I have said for several years now that Butts Mehre Is On Fire, yet they say I am a negative person. I just tell the truth and most cannot handle the truth. Another day, another year and the same BS continues. Until change occurs, the firing of Michael Adams, Greg Mcgarity, Head Coaches, Board of Regents and Politicians stealing from the college students thoughout GA, expect more of the same.
Dawg Obedience Trainer
March 29th, 2012
11:00 am
Loran, how many we got . . .
in Todd Grantham’s Hall of Shame this season ?
$750,000.00 is not enough to pay the bills
March 29th, 2012
11:04 am
`
A new contract with higher pay for this mess ?
GTBob
March 29th, 2012
11:09 am
Richt should just create a new policy. Get in trouble and you are off the team. Maybe then the players at UGA might actually care.
Trey Mehrebutts, Proud UGA Alumnite
March 29th, 2012
11:16 am
Grantham has some highlights alright, on the police blotter. He’s leaving his stamp on this program. How low will we go? Someone asked if, with the suspensions, UGA just holds itself to a higher standard. That is so laughable. What standard? How low will we go?
Gene
March 29th, 2012
11:18 am
Saban is a jerk, but his players are scared of him. Richt is an advocate and protector. His players are neither frightened of him nor respect him. Richt will never win a NC, nor will he win a conference championship while Saban is at Alabama.
Alabama | MrSEC
March 29th, 2012
11:22 am
[...] Asked if he might have another emotional blowup on the field this fall, Georgia D-coordinator Todd Grantham said, “We’ll see.”4. This writer says “Georgia is back to having behavior problems.”5. Frank [...]
promethius
March 29th, 2012
11:23 am
UGa needs to hire a defense lawyer.
K9 Trainers
March 29th, 2012
11:36 am
Provide your players with the best dawg training at K9 Trainers.
We offer a broad range of dawg training services such as ….
Dawg Obedience.
"Boss" Tweed
March 29th, 2012
11:40 am
“Saban is a jerk, but his players are scared of him. Richt is an advocate and protector. His players are neither frightened of him nor respect him.”
Even as a Dawg fan, I have to agree with this statement
"Boss" Tweed
March 29th, 2012
11:42 am
“The reason only 1 Bama player has been arrested in the past 1 and a half is because Saban has instilled a sense of discipline and expectations that other programs simply do not have. Screw up and embarrass the team and the university and you are gone. End of story. When you look at our players both on and off the field one thing comes to mind- discipline.”
I have to agree with this as well
Stank Wren
March 29th, 2012
11:45 am
“When you look at our players both on and off the field one thing comes to mind- discipline”
When it comes to the Dawgs – When you look at our players both on and off the field one thing comes to mind- lack of discipline. I don’t have the answers but something has got to change. A lack of respect and discipline is eating away at what should be a top program.
dawgs smell
March 29th, 2012
11:49 am
I guess a loss to Missouri will be due to player suspensions. Early excuses !
out of control
March 29th, 2012
11:51 am
I guess Richt needs to move Richard Samuel to defense (AGAIN), along with Malcolm Mitchell.
harold
March 29th, 2012
11:52 am
UGA JUST ISN’T A CHAMPIONSHIP PROGRAM. SABAN HAS MORE NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIPS THAN UGA!
RICHT WILL NEVER GET UGA WHERE THE FANS WANT IT TO GO. THE AD AND UGA FANS ARE FINE WITH AN 8-4 OR 9-3 COACH LIKE RICHT!
harold
March 29th, 2012
11:52 am
UGA JUST ISN’T A CHAMPIONSHIP PROGRAM. SABAN HAS MORE NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIPS THAN UGA!
RICHT WILL NEVER GET UGA WHERE THE FANS WANT IT TO GO. THE AD AND UGA FANS ARE FINE WITH AN 8-4 OR 9-3 COACH LIKE RICHT!
dawgs smell
March 29th, 2012
12:00 pm
I just dont understand where dog fans think they have this football tradition and expectations out the roof ! Year after year they play a soft schedule and want to brag about being 4-0 then ? When was the last time UGA actually beat a top ranked team. The past 2 years have shown they are average and the ONLY reason they win the east is scheduling. Brag about beating Bama 4 years ago ? Really. I look forward to seeing Uga go out with 4 losses this season even with that pastsy of a schedule. They will still brag about the Big win over Buffalo !
Concerned
March 29th, 2012
12:16 pm
I would like to chim in here, and say this. I am an ex player, a grad of UGA , successful in life, as well appalled at how little respect, and control there is in Athens.
I have sent the e-mails to the AD, Greg. Have voiced my solutions which included a person who administers the punishments (Not Coach Richt), and if you think Saban is that person you are wrong. Nick hardly talks to players. His staff, as well his key outside the staff members who are not coaches watch, act, and deal with the players who cannot cut it. Those there fall in as soon as they come on campus. The expectations are off the chart at Alabama, and the current players enforce most of the rules. Yes BIG BROTHER with a BIG STICK. So you do not hear about this at Alabama because they take all this very seriously.
Saban talks to few, on the plane talks to no one. Has an ego that is as big as the state of Alabama. He is not worried about what his Sunday School Class thinks when he speaks on or of the record. Players there would have to move from the state if they embarrased Alabama, and the same goes for Auburn. Now tell me, are we or do we have that type of State where we expect this high level of commitment to The University of Georgia. I say NOT, and evidence is in the system. Coach Richt cannot do this by himself, and again Saban does not have to do any of it.
Dooley never raised his voice, did not have to say a thing, if he spoke your name you were oh no. As for who was Dooley’s sideline men, well Coach Kasey was one, as well others not on the staff. Today with a sue happy society, as well a media that looks each day for a story, there is plenty to cover. We wait for stupid to show himself, and man does he know how to not be a student first. As for an athlete second, NOT as there are certain characteristics that distinguish a high level athlete from a want to be athlete. Georgia has had few players recently (last six to eight years) that meet this criteria.
I will be in Tuscaloosa the next month, and will play golf with may in their program. They have already said, “see you in the Dome”. That may change as we look to be the laughing stock of college football, as well the SEC. The Evil Genius is having great fun with this. At least he is through with Garcia, and now watches as Georgia self inflicts wounds upon wounds.
What will 2012 be like, just like when we were the pre-season # 1, and that team lost there. Prediction is we lose 3 or more with the morons we have playing for us.
We have the players, but the players dod not have much upstairs to help their own cause. Seriously, how in the heck did they get into UGA, as well who on the staff is picking/recruiting these players. Can someone do a study on who do these plays belong to as a Georgia coach that once recruited them. That may be one place to go, as well hire some men to put the fear of God into our Program.
These players fear nothing, and as on response says, they dod not respect the game, the University, their place on the team, the HC, and their families. Ugly is us……………when will Athens get it? It sadness me, but truth is truth.
Snoop Dawg
March 29th, 2012
12:28 pm
Mark Richt is not worthy of tying Nick Saban’s shoes. Nor Bobby Petrino’s. Nor Steve Spurrier’s. Nor Les Miles’. Nor even Dooley’s or Franklin’s.
We have just given a contract extension who puts puts new meaning into “Doing less with more” each succeeding year.
The entire UGA athletics program is dysfunctional.
Nick
March 29th, 2012
12:52 pm
I am in control at Bama. NOT the playuhs. ‘Nuff said.
A Father
March 29th, 2012
1:20 pm
Concerned: I have done the same, written emails to all parties as a former scholarship player and graduate of UGA. Have had conversations over the phone and yet not one change and only excuses, I guess that way no one has to be held accountable. I founded a phrase two years ago and it goes like this, ” BUTTS MEHRE IS ON FIRE “. Has been ever since the end of 2007 football season and continues today.
ogletree should be off team: theft and now drugs YOUR GONE
rambo: 2nd drug failure YOUR GONE
brandon smith: failed drug test, then arrest drugs: YOUR GONE
sanders commings: assault of female, not first YOUR GONE
When Mark Richt allowed 12 players I know of that failed the drug test prior to Florida last fall play and then only punished 3, this is what the final results are, the THUG U assylum members with what is turning into possibly having a THUG Asst COACH, hire a S & C coach from a college sexual assault on children and he was their and knew, now we entertain hiring a behind the wheel DRUNK as a coach and mentor. WTF
UGA, home of Thug U
TampaGator
March 29th, 2012
1:40 pm
Maybe they are scared of Saban at Bama…..but they become less scared (Dre Kirpatrick for example) immediately after they leave. Hard to imagine that someone smokes weed immediately after they leave and not while they are under someones “scary eye.” Most people who smoke weed do so socially and regularly. I find it hard to believe that Dre Kirpatrick did not smoke while he was on campus under Saban. But maybe some other school’s less saintly athlete influenced him suddenly to do so…..NOT.
Finally
March 29th, 2012
1:44 pm
Since Dooley was at UGA, thru the Ray Goff era and Donnan’s era and CMR/ BVG and up to now, UGA really lacked a fiery competitor as D Co ordnator. BVG was that before he left. Tow years UGA had him? Down hill it was for UGA after he left.
CTG is THE DEAL and the more I think about it, CTG ought to be the number one choice as UGA HEAD COACH if/when CMR leaves. Why not? HE LIVES and BREATHES SERIOUS , HARD NOSED FOOTBALL, SEC style.
Guys like CTG are hard to find. UGA has proved that since Dooley left and the old Erskine Russell days.
CTG IS the real deal.