Tech, Georgia D-coordinator hires will impact recruiting
Georgia and Georgia Tech both hired defensive coordinators in the last 24 hours. The timing is not a coincidence.
The Yellow Jackets are expected to name former Virginia head coach Al Groh as defensive coordinator later today. The Bulldogs tabbed Dallas Cowboys defensive line coach Todd Grantham head of their defense earlier Friday.
Why now? The NCAA calendar on Friday flipped out of the red of a dead period into the yellow of a quiet period. On Monday, it switches to the full-out green of a contact period that will continue for two weeks. Both schools are hosting official visits this weekend.
Tech and Georgia needed to have these situations resolved so they could introduce their defensive recruits to the men they’d be playing for if not just be able to say with certainty who it would be.
Ten of the Yellow Jackets’ 13 commitments so far are with either slated to play defense or have extensive experience on that side of the ball. Twelve of the Bulldogs’ 19 commitments are defenders.
“I got a text message from one of the players on the team this morning,” longtime Georgia Tech commitment Denzel McCoy said. “I think it’s a great hire. I think he’s going to bring some new things with him and that’s going to be good for us. I’ve heard nothing but good things about him.”
Georgia players are excited about Grantham’s pro experience.
“I’m kind of excited about it,” said Port St. Lucie linebacker Deon Rogers, who was about to board a plane for an official visit to LSU. “I didn’t know [the new defensive coordinator] was going to be from the NFL. I’m shocked but shocked in a good way.”
Rogers has been taking visits at other schools since Willie Martinez was fired as Georgia’s defensive coordinator last month. But he said he remains committed to the Bulldogs and the hiring of Grantham “definitely” helps.
Grantham’s hiring has helped with at least one other recruit. Manning, S.C., defensive end Dexter Morant has canceled a weekend visit scheduled for Clemson this weekend because he now intends to stick with the Bulldogs, according to DawgPost.com.
That does not mean Georgia’s top 10 recruiting class has been preserved. For the moment (Mark Richt doesn’t address media until 5:15 p.m.) we don’t know how Grantham’s hire will affect recruiting coordinator and assistant head coach Rodney Garner. The lone holdover of the defensive staff happens to coach defensive line, the same position Grantham has handled most of his career.
Garner is directly responsible for several of Georgia’s commitments, including high-touted defensive linemen Garrison Smith of Douglass and T.J. Stripling of Southwest DeKalb. He’s also the lead recruiter of defensive tackle prospects Mike Thornton and Jeff Whitaker.
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284 comments Add your comment
John H
January 15th, 2010
12:06 pm
woo
John H
January 15th, 2010
12:07 pm
First!!!!!
Dawg's rule
January 15th, 2010
12:13 pm
UGA’s recruiting class with be outstanding!
reality check
January 15th, 2010
12:14 pm
Good hire now let’s go DAWGS! 30-24
Tim
January 15th, 2010
12:14 pm
Should be interesting…. Just glad we finally got a DC
Not Disappointed
January 15th, 2010
12:17 pm
It should be a hire for both schools! Congrats to UGA and Georgia Tech!
Ramblin Wreck!
4th Place SEC East Dawg
January 15th, 2010
12:17 pm
Grantham nose a thing or to about D
Sik em!
Tom
January 15th, 2010
12:19 pm
It’s not a matter of whether or not Garner’s gone (he is), it’s whether or not the UGA staff will be honest with recruits and let them know he’s gone before signing day.
Voice of Reason
January 15th, 2010
12:21 pm
Coach Grantham will be preparing young men for the NFL so this is a great hire for UGA. Hopefully Coach Garner will be retained and is a credit to the university. Good things lie ahead!
The only drawback to Tech’s hire of Coach Groh, is his age.
Ward
January 15th, 2010
12:22 pm
If I were a DL prospect I would want to be a UGA. I think between Garner and Grantham you will really get coached-up well, plus with more pro teams switching to the 3-4 as well coming to UGA and playing in the SEC will get you ready for the next level. Our DTs will need to clog the middle and stop the run, and our DEs will need to be space eaters too so our LBs can run around and create havoc. This is an exciting day.
Congrats to Tech too. I am no Tech fan, in fact I hate Tech, but can admit when you make a good hire. I think that Groh will do wonders for your team, but I still see the offense as something of a weak point any time a team has more than 1 week to prepare for you. So, I think you will do well in ACC play, but never do well in bowls.
sharecropper
January 15th, 2010
12:26 pm
Who, and why, are those idiots who apparently have nothing better to do than sit in front of a computer screen so they can shout “First!”? For whatever that means. It’s embarrassing that those people actually read the AJC.
Alphare
January 15th, 2010
12:28 pm
Tech has as many high NFL draftees as BAMA this year. With the new DC, more kids will get developed in Tech into high draftees.
If you want to go to NFL, there is no better school than Tech.
WOOF!
January 15th, 2010
12:29 pm
What recruit would’nt want to learn from a NFL coach?This could be potential the best case scenario for UGA a recent NFL hire from a still in the Super Bowl hunt playoff team.I,m not a Dallas fan but he did turn the D-line around from the let down last year in convincing fashion so far.I am really excited bout the 34 defense too!! more LB’s bigger NT more physical at the corners and WR flinching to catch the ball across the middle!!! AHHHH MAN COME ON!!!!!
Monticello Dawg
January 15th, 2010
12:29 pm
Tom, you know Garner is gone? How did you come by this info? Rodney usually fields offers every year, but seems to like it in Athens. I would think he would have left by now if he was going anywhere this year.
Blind Dawg
January 15th, 2010
12:33 pm
First?!?!?
Paddy
January 15th, 2010
12:35 pm
Someone will kmow this answer I am sure. In the last 3 years who have the most players on active NFL rosters; Tech or UGA? Drafter or undrafted. My guess is the Dawgs!
Thanks.
armydawg
January 15th, 2010
12:39 pm
u beat me to the punch monticello dawg. tom must of been one of the same guys that had the inside info. on kirby smart.
NewnanDawg
January 15th, 2010
12:39 pm
Tom knows nothing – Garner most certainly is NOT gone – that was one of the problems with the Kirby Smart thing. They have had recruiting “disagreements” in the past while going after the same guys. A big reason Kirby did not come was that Richt has stipulated that Garner stays, period.
Looks like a good hire on the surface – looking forward to Fall to know for sure.
Go Dawgs!
Alphare
January 15th, 2010
12:40 pm
Paddy,
that’s the thing, it’s what you have done for me lately.
Tech has 4 players going round 1&2 this year as I know of. The best from UGA is projected to be a 3rd rounder. Also, consider this, most Tech players are 3-star recruits, while most UGA players are 4-stars.
The fact is just the fact. There is no point to argue about the fact.
Alphare
January 15th, 2010
12:48 pm
I mean, don’t you think those 4-stars in UGA feel bad for themself now, not to mention the 5-stars? They joined UGA with 5-stars on their shoulders as those 3-stars joined Tech with little glamor. 3-4 years later, those Tech guys will make millions while the 5-stars will be luck to get a tryout at the NFL.
Reality
January 15th, 2010
12:49 pm
Coach Richt is obviously keeping Rodney Garner. GEE! Anyone with any sense knows that!!!! Garner will continue to be Recruiting Coordinator/Asst Head Coach and a defensive assistant.
Mr.Dawg
January 15th, 2010
12:49 pm
LOL!! Garener is staying as long as Richt is. no debate here, Nada. None! got that message! 100% sure inside information
To MR KB
January 15th, 2010
12:50 pm
Alphare…..SMH…really? Not even worth trying to argue with a moron.
Dawg fan
January 15th, 2010
12:50 pm
Rodney Garner is keeping his position at UGA. It is silly and ignorant to think otherwise.
J-Dubb
January 15th, 2010
12:52 pm
It has been written (here on ajc) more than once that Garner said “I am a recruiter first, I am not a defensive coordinator”. Garner would have been the DC if he and Richt thought best. If he wanted to be DC he would have left when UGA was looking at the 1st 3 candidates. He loves CMR and UGA and recruiting. I bet he stays and coached dbs or Grantham coaches dbs and lets Garner stay as DL coach.
Go DAWGS!
Paddy
January 15th, 2010
12:53 pm
Alphare…I don’t want to argue anything or anybody. I just asked a question because all I was interested in was the answer. No hidden plot here. No hidden agenda. Just some numbers.
Redcoat Sousaphone
January 15th, 2010
12:53 pm
Coach Richt has typically set up his staff with two defensive line coaches. If this remains it would hopefully allow Garner to stay on. However, as much as I would love to see someone be named as the all-time special teams coach, keeping Rodney is much more important.
J-Dubb
January 15th, 2010
12:54 pm
Paddy, Alphare’s an idiot….its not rocket science to figure out UGA has sent more and has more guys in the NFL than GT.
Another year
January 15th, 2010
12:54 pm
Another top 10 recruiting class, another mediocre year. When will UGA fans figure out it’s not just the players, it’s what you do with them? A new DC alone won’t be able to coach the recruits to the next level. UGA is middle tier SEC and will continue to be unless Saban, Meyer, Spurrier, Miles retire or leave. Set your sights on beating Kentucky then think about the rest of the SEC.
1970 Dawg
January 15th, 2010
1:00 pm
I don’t believe the Org Chart would show the Asst HC below the DC. Coach Garner is a valuable part of UGA’s staff. With all the criticism
and second-guessing by many of our “expert” fans and some media types, why would Garner have ever wanted to be DC? ( Probably the same reason KS reconsidered.)
J-Dubb
January 15th, 2010
1:03 pm
Another year?
thats just ignorance you’re writing. these are from my memory, not from a fact sheet, but let me enlighten you with my best effort.
DAWGS are 1-1 against Saban while at AL, 2-1 or 2-2 against him at LSU
3-1 against Spurrier last 4 years with South Crack-o-lacky
2-2 or 3-2 against Miles at LSU with a tackle away from a massive upset this year with our sub-par defense.
Meyer is the only one who gave us fits and that is soon to change since he had his mental breakdown and he’s losing his g*y pal, Teblow.
Of course its what you do with the players, thats why Willie’s gone. Way to go Captain Obvious, you’re a genius.
ColonelUGA
January 15th, 2010
1:03 pm
Garner isnt gone. I’d imagine he would continue to coach the DL with Grantham coaching the backers.
Saint Simons
January 15th, 2010
1:03 pm
I am really exciting about possibilities of having AL Groh as our staff!!!
Wreck em TECH!!!
Vick=Dog killing thug
January 15th, 2010
1:03 pm
Gee Another year….
Maybe they figured that out? Maybe. just maybe firing 3 coaches recently was a bit of a clue?
What a stupid post…. True Kentucky beat UGA this year, Don’t hold your breath till it happens again.
Wait.. check that.. Hold your breath…. yah.. that’s a good idea…..
1970 Dawg
January 15th, 2010
1:04 pm
Another mediocre year? We’ve won the SEC championship 2 of last 8 yrs (25%). Beats GT’s %. That criticism had to come from a nerd because
no Dawg fan would refer to UGA as mid tier.
J-Dubb
January 15th, 2010
1:06 pm
Great Minds think alike, V=Dkg, guess another year is proud of himself.
1970 Dawg
January 15th, 2010
1:07 pm
Another year, Les Miles couldn’t coach our scout team. Did you see him
tell his QB to ground the ball as the clock ran out against Ark?
BILLY JACK
January 15th, 2010
1:08 pm
ANOTHER YEAR -RICHT HAS WINNING RECORDS OR IS TIED WITH THOSE COACHES YOU NAMED-GET EDUCATED OR GET OFF THE BLOGS FOREVER-YOUR PROBABLY SOME TECHIE ANYWAY.
Taliban Techie
January 15th, 2010
1:09 pm
ANOTHER YEAR YOU’RE A QUEER!!!
long dog
January 15th, 2010
1:09 pm
alphare what planet have you been on
Joe Hamilton's tutor
January 15th, 2010
1:09 pm
Saint Simons has finally come out to play again on the AJC blogs. I wonder what he has been doing to kill the time these past couple of months since he couldn’t be online for 16 hours of the day posting junk on the blogs. Good to have you back Saint Simons. We were all getting a little worried about you.
J Dawg
January 15th, 2010
1:10 pm
Alfhair?, Your an idiot if you really think Tech is a better school to go to for young men trying to get to the NFL. Look at the last ten years and all the defensive players that UGA has put in the league seriously, dont post dumb comments
obomaisaclown
January 15th, 2010
1:10 pm
Pro scouts have stated that the d-lime kids coming out of Ga. have been poorly coached. He did not state names but it is well known that RG is not their because of coaching. Great recruiter but leaves the kids coached down.This from from pros with nothing to gaim
obomaisaclown
January 15th, 2010
1:11 pm
Pro scouts have stated that the d-lime kids coming out of Ga. have been poorly coached. He did not state names but it is well known that RG is not their because of coaching. Great recruiter but leaves the kids coached down.This from from pros with nothing to gain
J-Dubb
January 15th, 2010
1:11 pm
Al Groh is a relic! He’s from another era…he’s so old he’ll try and get the players to shine his shoes…..this can’t end well.
I am almost as happy GT hired him as I am UGA hired a top-notch NFL coach! You really think Wade Phillips is behind Dallas’s defensive prowress lately? As Samuel L. Jackson said, all that man thinks about is PIE!
J-Dubb
January 15th, 2010
1:14 pm
Grantham is behind Dallas’s success lately…it can’t be Wade (pilsbury doughboy) Phillips.
As Samuel L. Jackson said, all that Wade thinks about is PIE!
long dog
January 15th, 2010
1:14 pm
st simoms al did such a wonderful good at va
J-Dubb
January 15th, 2010
1:15 pm
Stupid AJC….I thought they deleted the first post.
didn’t mean to write the same corny s*@t twice!
Tailback U
January 15th, 2010
1:19 pm
Another year
Hellloooooooooo !!! What an idiot , you must be related to m
“when will Georgia fans figure out it’s not just the players, it’s what
you do with them” no kidding ? what do you think that all the
coaching change hullabaloo is about today. Of course there is more
to it than just players and especially in college football.
You are obviously too dense to figure it out so I will explain it to
you. Georgia fans are much more excited about the hiring of the
new DC than they are the players committed because the lack of
proper coaching was a key to unfulfilled promise in a strong class.
Al Davis
January 15th, 2010
1:24 pm
Tom, Garner is Asst Head Coach at UGA. The DC hiring has nothing to do with that.