Cowboys’ Grantham next target in DC search?
Athens – Hello from Butts-Mehre, where Kirby Smart won’t be coming to work.
All’s quiet here, by the way. No press conference or anything like that is in the works, if you’re wondering.
But on the day after Smart turned down Georgia’s defensive-coordinator job, Mark Richt presumably is about the business of pursuing the next candidate.
And let’s say — in the absence of any new credible rumors at the moment — that’s Todd Grantham, the Dallas Cowboys’ defensive-line coach who is known to have been on Richt’s radar for weeks.
In a search that has been full of complications, Grantham presents another. The Cowboys are in the NFL playoffs, preparing for a game Sunday against Minnesota, and will play a couple more games after that if they keep winning. Would the Cowboys let Grantham talk about and even accept (although obviously not begin) another job during the playoffs, risking potential distraction? How would a further delay affect UGA’s recruiting, especially with the final sprint to national signing day about to commence? And would the recent success of the Cowboys’ defense put Grantham in bigger demand among NFL teams?
Questions, questions.
But all indications today are that Grantham is the next target in Georgia’s six-week-old search.
Grantham coached at Virginia Tech (under Frank Beamer and Bud Foster) and Michigan State (under Nick Saban) before a series of four NFL coaching gigs. His only experience as a coordinator was with the Cleveland Browns.
It is a crucial hire for Georgia’s football program, and Richt has reiterated his recognition of that by aiming high in his targets. Foster, John Chavis and certainly Smart were already in good, winning situations at schools that, not surprisingly, proved willing and able to compete aggressively with anything Georgia could offer financially.
Foster had 15 years invested at Virginia Tech, and Chavis, although in only his first year at LSU, does not have a history of job-hopping. And while Smart was tempted by the prospect of returning to his alma mater, the fact is he is on track to be a head coach somewhere in a year or two anyway.
So while we wait for the next chapter — let’s call it Chapter 5 after the Foster, Vic Koenning, Chavis and Smart chapters -=- to unfold in this saga, how do you see the story ending? With Todd Grantham? Or who?
And please follow me on Twitter for the latest UGA news and notes.
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492 comments Add your comment
Kirby Smart interview!!!!!!!!!!!!!
January 12th, 2010
2:26 pm
Did you hear the Kirby Smart interview quote yesterday He said that he has been inundated with rude emails calling him names and insulting his coaching ability from UGA fans.
Our entire state just got smeared on ESPN because of a bunch of trashy fans. CLEAN IT UP!!!!!!
DamnGoodDawg!
January 12th, 2010
2:26 pm
Kirby’s smart in a way for staying with Saban. Everybody knows Saban’s the real DC at Alabama. At Georgia he would have had to produce on his own. By the way Kirby, Kiss our ….well, good luck.
Larry
January 12th, 2010
2:26 pm
richt should hire marky mark and the funky bunch. even if they suck as coordinators, they can entertain us with dancing and other antics at halftime.
Sid
January 12th, 2010
2:26 pm
TW3A,
I’m pretty sure RG is on record as being totally content with his situation at UGA.
DAWGS4LIFE
January 12th, 2010
2:27 pm
Pull out a list of the top 20 or so defenses in college football over the last few years and offer any one of the coordinators and if the coordinator is not interested ask them about their top assistants or secondary coaches and hire one of them. Not a hard task the longer this drags out the more UGA looks bad and the more recruits start to second guess their commitment even the offensive ones!!!!!
Fleischman in Chi Towns Bed
January 12th, 2010
2:27 pm
David Pollock is too busy “tweetering” with his gay online friends.
NCDAWG
January 12th, 2010
2:27 pm
David Pollack has tweeted numerous times that he would not want to be a coach……and that my friends is one of his tweets I believe
Jh
January 12th, 2010
2:28 pm
Tyrone nix. What’s he make now? Throw the amount we were offering smart and I don’t see him turning it down. Good recruiter and I would love to see what he could do with our talent.
DAWGS4LIFE
January 12th, 2010
2:28 pm
I really don’t care who it is because everyone has to stat somewhere.
Sid
January 12th, 2010
2:28 pm
Did you say Paul Johnson has the “runs”? Or just his _ _ _ _ _ y team?
Vick=Dog killing thug
January 12th, 2010
2:28 pm
I wouldn’t mind a mid-major kind of guy coming in for 300k or so and spending the extra loot on other needs but that’s not the way it works. Those big bucks are ear-marked for a major name and the associated star quality buzz will generate additional monies for UGA.
It may be a game between the hedges but this aspect of football is all about the MONEY.
don't need him
January 12th, 2010
2:29 pm
Until I see Kirby coach a productive D outside of Saban’s shadow I will continue to believe he is just a puppet. Besides, if he’s only 34 that doesn’t bode well for a long-term coaching career. Hell, he looks older than Richt.
Dawgie Bowser
January 12th, 2010
2:29 pm
Okay, I’m starting to hear that Spagnuolo and Pasqualoni have been added to the “Lookie here” List. I don’t much about them but think I would prefer someone with a name I can at least pronounce.
jack bull
January 12th, 2010
2:29 pm
travis jones,,georgia guy, aggressive style, can recruit
BMDPD
January 12th, 2010
2:30 pm
From ESPN
http://espn.go.com/blog/sec/post/_/id/8165/richt-zeroing-in-on-cowboys-grantham
Alex Wright
January 12th, 2010
2:30 pm
Tyrone Nix turned down Florida to stay at Ole Siss. No way he would go to that wasteland of a college town known as Athens.
Old School
January 12th, 2010
2:30 pm
Resurrect Erk Russell, or barring that, hire Vince Dooley as the defensive coordinator!
JB
January 12th, 2010
2:31 pm
please with the Pollock plea’s. big time football is a lot more than clapping and rah, rah. Pollock would be lost trying to scheme the defense every week.
jw
January 12th, 2010
2:31 pm
Been saying this for several weeks – that coach from Kentucky that just retired – Rich Brooks – he is old – 68 – but he could be the greatest teacher for some of the younger assistants – and I guarantee you that UGA will have the best defense in the conference and there will be FIRE and BRIMSTONE out of that side of the line – much like the old Junkyard Dawgs of the late great Erskine Russell – that DawgNation hasn’t seen in awhile – wouldn’t hurt to give him a call CMR – you may be surprised – those millions you were throwing around for these guys can buy you a dandy EXPERIENCED coach -
NCDAWG
January 12th, 2010
2:31 pm
Here is a list of the top 25 defenses this past year. I commented on whether I thought they would come to UGA:
1 TCU- Not Sure
2 Alabama-NO, got more $$$ to stay
3 Texas-NO is HCIW
4 Florida-NO….now HC @ LU
5 Ohio St.-Not likely
6 North Carolina-Name has been mentioned in a lot of blogs.
7 Nebraska-No it is a brotherly thing
8 Oklahoma-NO
9 Penn St.-NO
10 Iowa-Not sure
11 Air Force-Not sure
12 Virginia Tech –NO got more $$$ to stay
13 Arizona St.- Not sure
14 Boise St.-Not sure
15 South Carolina-Name was mentioned early, not sure now
16 Army-Not sure
17 Wisconsin-Not sure
18 Rutgers-Not sure
19 Utah-Not sure
20 Clemson- Name was mentioned early, not sure now
21 Mississippi-Turned down UF, more than likely turn down UGA
22 Tennessee-A father-son thing
23 Pittsburgh-Not sure
24 South Fla.- Who knows with their situation
25 Arizona-Not Sure
SAVDAWG
January 12th, 2010
2:31 pm
I would say go after the Iowa D-Coordinator. Their defense is always at the top and look what they did to GT. GT never had a chance in that game. Iowa manhandled them. UGA would be a much more high-profile gig than Iowa even though I am sure there is not near as much pressure up there. Go and get Norm Parker – Iowa DC.
who cares?
January 12th, 2010
2:31 pm
Richt is a push-over who coaches a bunch of underachieving, undisciplined thugs
Richt is fine
January 12th, 2010
2:31 pm
For Richt to have landed the 3 guys he targeted would have been as far fetched as GT firing Hewitt and trying to lure coach K away from Duke. It just ain’t gonna happen. Get a young coach somewhere with a a good track record, smaller program who is hungry for his shot at the SEC. Signed, sealed, delivered!!!
Larry
January 12th, 2010
2:31 pm
Richt should hire Bill Stanfill. Dude was a serious badass at UGA and on the 72 Dolphins. He used to come off the end and sack Steve Spurrier into the next dimension. And he would not tolerate this arm-tackling crap.
TW3A
January 12th, 2010
2:32 pm
sid
thanks that’s what I thought,
The top guy is still out there
January 12th, 2010
2:32 pm
The Air Force dude is the best candidate!!! Let’s lock him up already!!
Scooter
January 12th, 2010
2:32 pm
UGA fans kill me with their ideas on this DC matter. There are numerous candidates out there who can do a great job. Coach Richt has focused on big names to try and hit a homerun in the press. He knows his job is on the line with a 7-8 win season in 2010. He wants to score big with the name. Reading the posts of UGA fans, I can see why he needs to do that. You guys are idiots that know nothing about defense, hiring coaches, etc. Seriously, hire Garner and keep looking for a DC in the meantime. Do you live here on earth with the rest of us. Are you really that freeking stupid to think it even works like that? You guys deserve UGA and UGA deserves you.
dawg jammin
January 12th, 2010
2:32 pm
Glad Kirby got insulting emails from our fans. He deserved it. If you don’t want to come back to your alma mater, you are nothing but trash. Thanks us for your raise, now we are gonna ram the football down your throat in the championship game next year. See you in Atlanta you pathetic excuse for an alumnus.
Dawg Fud
January 12th, 2010
2:33 pm
Kirby Smart interview,
are you serious? that is freaking terrible! how embarrassing if true….geez.
JerseyDawg
January 12th, 2010
2:34 pm
Just pick an up and coming candidate off the list below, generally a program would really rather promote from within but thats not an opportunity this time. The TCU looks great, but older and never coached in the southeast.
http://collegefootball.rivals.com/viewCFSE.asp?selposition=3
BMDPD
January 12th, 2010
2:34 pm
Bashing KS is classless. Leave a MNC team for an 8-5 team, HMMMM let me think about that. Oh wait, now my MNC team is meeting the offer of the 8-5 time. Seriously, put yourself in his shoes.
TW3A
January 12th, 2010
2:35 pm
NCDAWG
GOOD LIST THIS WAS WHAT I WAS LOOKING OFR TO COMPARE THANKS
BMDPD
January 12th, 2010
2:35 pm
8-5 team vice time my apologies
GMoney
January 12th, 2010
2:35 pm
Bring in Bob Shoop from William and Mary – Div II Assistant of the Year.
Foothills football fan
January 12th, 2010
2:37 pm
Give it to one of the G.A.s that prepared them for the bowl game. There is enough returning talent(if the recruitniks know what they speak of) for UGAG to battle UT for 2nd place in the east.
JB
January 12th, 2010
2:38 pm
Bill Stanfill……..Are you kidding………………………………First question he would ask, what’s this plastic thing on the front of the Helmet? And by the way, I go to bed at 8, no night games. Oh, And I poop every tuesday and friday at 10 AM…………………………Geez.
dan
January 12th, 2010
2:38 pm
I will be shocked if Richt is still in Athens by 2015. I think his program is done. From 2001 to 2005 his players bought in to his system, but these kids now don’t care! They don’t care about UGA pride or tradition. They don’t care if they get blown out by Tennessee or lose at home to Kentucky. Hell, they barely even care about playing for their draft status.When these kids don’t care they DON’T CARE!!! It’s not just a coaching problem at UGA, I think it’s a culture problem. I really do.
The years from 2002-2005 where UGA averaged 11 per season are over and 2007 was an anomaly. You average 2006,2008, and 2009 and you come out to 9 wins, and that’s where the program is right now. The Dawgs are an 8 or 9 win team. They a GOOD team with GOOD talent but not great. And after 9 years and given the current situation in Athens, I don’t forsee greatness happening with Richt.
TW3A
January 12th, 2010
2:38 pm
1 TCU- Not Sure
6 North Carolina-Name has been mentioned in a lot of blogs.
10 Iowa-Not sure
11 Air Force-Not sure
13 Arizona St.- Not sure
14 Boise St.-Not sure
15 South Carolina-Name was mentioned early, not sure now
16 Army-Not sure
17 Wisconsin-Not sure
18 Rutgers-Not sure
19 Utah-Not sure
20 Clemson- Name was mentioned early, not sure now
23 Pittsburgh-Not sure
24 South Fla.- Who knows with their situation
25 Arizona-Not Sure
OK NOW LETS LOOK AT WHO THEY HAD TO DEFEND WITH THE ONES LEFT
chuck allison
January 12th, 2010
2:38 pm
UGA has a problem with an inflated self image. No one else thinks that they have a program as grand as they do. I suggest that they run an ad in the help wanted section of the AJC and take whoever will work the cheapest. Tech will have a DC long before UGA. All this reminds me of the time Erk Russell said “No Thanks” to the HC job at UGA along with several other high profile candidates. There are classier places to work.
BAMA STAN
January 12th, 2010
2:38 pm
13 NATIONAL TITLES – 22 SEC TITLES!!!
Again – in the long run – UGA not getting Kirby Smart is better for UGA>
Why? – He is on the fast track to take over as HC – another year or two of seasoning – and he will be gone from BAMA.
This is not a big deal – with the exception that it is wearing on the patience of an impatient bunch!
Richt needs to stay the course – and he will find an excellent DC.
Remember – Nick Saban was our #4 offer to be HC at Alabama – and same thing was happening with our fan base getting all cramped up wanting the new coach named asap. Patience dog fans – Patience.
ROLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLL TIDE!!!1
DAWGS4LIFE
January 12th, 2010
2:39 pm
Thanks NCDAWG at least you are on the same wavelength as I am It dosen’t have to be a big name just a proven commodity over the past few years results don’t lie no matter what school you coach.
NCDAWG
January 12th, 2010
2:39 pm
TW3A
No Problem………..
I hope this debacle is over by the end of the week……If Grantham wants the job go ahead and take it….finish out with the cowboys and all this will be over….
Willie Martinez
January 12th, 2010
2:40 pm
Everyone needs to chillax. At the end of the day, I’m still fired. Life is good in Bulldawg Nation.
BMDPD
January 12th, 2010
2:41 pm
BAMA STAN good post and congrats!
Reggie Ball
January 12th, 2010
2:41 pm
Yo, i be running dem screets, i can shawly run dat offense. yoo know what im sayzin
Ira in East Lake
January 12th, 2010
2:41 pm
Nobody wants to work for Richt and his God-squad version of coaching.
HAHAHAHAHAHA!!!
Tell Richt to call me – I’ll take the job and I’m a perfect fit: I know nothing about coaching and my strategy will always be “takle the mofo with the dang ball and spit on random opposing players.”
I guarantee my D will meet or exceed Willie’s best.
Otherwise, hire some no-name and watch the Dawgs become Vandy-South.
HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
TW3A
January 12th, 2010
2:41 pm
Look at how long they had to stay on the field, what kind of offence they had to defend for and the conference now who would be your pick form NCDAWG list
SAVDAWG
January 12th, 2010
2:41 pm
And yet GT will always play second fiddle to the team over in Athens! Chuck Allison you are a moron that does not even deserve to post anything.
UGA FAN IN ALANAMA
January 12th, 2010
2:42 pm
just saw were Barney andig Bird or on the GT short list of canidates for there job!!! Cookie Monster took the job at Troy and Grouch toook te head coaching job at Who Gives flying flip University!!!! So you think UGA has it bad!!!
Matt DaWg RIP UGA
January 12th, 2010
2:42 pm
Grantham does not have to run a 3-4 if he indeed becomes UGA’s next DC. The only reason Dallas is running the 3-4 is because that’s the D Wade Phillips runs. Coaches are very important however, it takes talent on that field to play ball. At the end of the day you just got to want it more than the other guy. The 09 season about killed me. There is just won great thing about that… number 9 GT got beat at home on national tv. Than Iowa spanked them again on national tv. Seems to me Tech fans should get off her and pray for next season to hurry up and get here.