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?
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492 comments Add your comment
BMDPD
January 12th, 2010
2:42 pm
BAMA STAN good post.
Bama Stan
January 12th, 2010
2:42 pm
Usually I’m a voice of reason in a sea of hyperbole but I’m still completely delusional on the true # of Alabama national championships.
Reggie Ball
January 12th, 2010
2:43 pm
yo add me on teeter atl_thuglife
NCDAWG
January 12th, 2010
2:43 pm
DAWGS4LIFE:
You’re welcome……..I for one would rather have someone who wants to be at UGA…..not because of the money, but because the want to compete in the SEC…..
Afternoon Grab Bag | MrSEC.com
January 12th, 2010
2:43 pm
[...] Gators… safety Ahmad Black has decided to stay in Gainesville and not jump to the NFL.6. So is Todd Grantham Georgia’s next target?7. With his mentor heading from the college game back to the NFL, Lane Kiffin compares the pro [...]
Kendawg
January 12th, 2010
2:43 pm
What we need to find is a good young candidate on the way up. If Richt ever thought that he had a realistic chance to get Kirby Smart, then he’s a lot dumber than I think he is. Who would leave a top program for a lateral move? Only a dummy, and Kirby is smarter than that.
JB
January 12th, 2010
2:43 pm
Hey Chuck………………………………………Inflated self image 30………….Tech best in 20 years…..24
Glad it still hurts……………………………….
Josh Lopez
January 12th, 2010
2:44 pm
the fact of the matter is that Richt has a mountain of resumes and he is smart, he is going after the best and the school is willing to pay top dollar for top talent, which should make the Dawg nation feel good.
Be patient, I would rather he take his time and get a top pick than rush into a subpar hire.
Dawg Fud
January 12th, 2010
2:45 pm
solid post Bama Stan. agreed
DAWGS4LIFE
January 12th, 2010
2:45 pm
We should also be looking at young assistants in the NFL who work under good defensive coaches like the Jets secondary coach or someone for the chargers, ravens, jacksonville
DILLIGAF
January 12th, 2010
2:45 pm
I think Everitt Withers @ UNC would be worth taking a look at. he’s fiery, passionate and did a good job with that defense in his 1st year holding 9 teams to 17 pts. and under.
JB
January 12th, 2010
2:46 pm
Thanks Bama Stan…………Somebody will get a great job.
Dawg Man
January 12th, 2010
2:47 pm
How about the grad assistant that worked the bowl game???? UGA can get him cheap (only $60,000 plus a free parking space). He will be good until they can find a real D coordinator.
TW3A
January 12th, 2010
2:47 pm
I would be intereted in what most of the recruits would say about who they would like to see come
Rick S
January 12th, 2010
2:48 pm
There obviously was not any thought given to counter-offer in case Kirby Smart did decline the offer as any half-way intelligent business person would know that Mal Moore and Nick Saban were not just going to roll-over and play dead but would put an all-out press to keep Kirby Smart on the Alabama payroll. Damon Evans should be fired over this incident as he is suppose to provide the leadership to get these deals done. I, as the majority of the Georgia Nation are pissed-off and tired of execuses and Georgia having to play seconds to Alabama, Florida, LSU, and soon to be Tennessee and Auburn. Georgia needs and deserves new leadership in the Athletic Department!
Former Big East Baller
January 12th, 2010
2:48 pm
Here’s a long shot – How about Paul Pasqualoni, just fired D-coordinator of the Dolphins. College background (Syracuse Head Coach for 10+ yrs – when they were very good), well thought of in the coaching profession. Took the fall for the Dolphins backslide on D this year. If Grantham gets the job, Coach P would be a candidate for the linebackers job – his specialty.
Sean Chatham
January 12th, 2010
2:49 pm
Can’t believe I’m saying this, but what about Mickey Andrews? It would allow us to retain our recruits, possibly even gain one or two AND buy us some time to find who we want over the long haul.
UGAX
January 12th, 2010
2:49 pm
Hey Tim-
What about Bumpus from TCU?. Is he available?. Certainly he’s not making that much (comparatively speaking, that is).
JB
January 12th, 2010
2:50 pm
The Stock on Grantham is going up…..Look for Tubbs and Carrol to contact him. Having a lake house at Oconee is a big plus for Dawgs.
Dawg Fud
January 12th, 2010
2:50 pm
Former Big East,
interesting.
if grantham took the job i guessed that reggie herring, current cowboys LB’s coach would also be a candidate the LB’s coach at UGA
Dawg Fan 74
January 12th, 2010
2:50 pm
Trust me, CMR knows what he’s doing.
He will get a DC better than little kirby (stab you in the back) smart.
booger
January 12th, 2010
2:51 pm
I’m back……….how bout Norm Parker from Iowa. He did pretty good in the South Beach scrimages last week.
UGA FAN IN ALANAMA
January 12th, 2010
2:51 pm
O YES ITS GREAT TO BE A GEORGIA BULLDOG!!! G– E—- O—-RRR—G–E–O–R–G–I–A—!!!! GGGGOOOO DAWGS!!! SICK EM!!!!!
cherokee
January 12th, 2010
2:51 pm
BAMA STAN ………I totally agree
Bartkowski had a great arm!
January 12th, 2010
2:51 pm
Get DeRuyter and be done with it! The guy should have been on top of the list to start with!
DAWGS4LIFE
January 12th, 2010
2:52 pm
I know we are all playing arm chair AD but it seems the ones of us on here that are being constructive and supporting our school actually have some decent ideas maybe Richt and Evans should stop by and read some of these blogs.
Dawg Fud
January 12th, 2010
2:53 pm
because Mickey is retired, Sean. he retired for family reasons. his son committed suicide and he wants to spend more time with his family.
thoughts and prayers with coach andrews
Dog Man 98
January 12th, 2010
2:53 pm
I’m glad Kirby Dumb did not return to UGA. I think there are some great pro coaches available and CMR will make the right choice.
Regardless, UGA will roll over GT and their high school offense.
Mark
January 12th, 2010
2:53 pm
MANNY DIAZ!!!!! He is who we should have been pursuing the whole time.. Lateral moves from other SEC schools just are not gonna happen. Especially if they are a credable DC. They are just gonna have thier offer matched by their existing team. I understand the effort and wishful thinking, but I knew Saban wasn’t gonna let Smart leave not with his big ego. Manny Diaz would do a fine job.
Smokie Joe
January 12th, 2010
2:53 pm
I know one thing……. I hope Kirby is never mentioned again to be the next head coach at UGA. He turned his back on the Dawg Nation. We want guys that wanna be DAWGS!!!!!
TW3A
January 12th, 2010
2:54 pm
I think most of the recruits are solid kids that believe in Richt that is why they are not bailing, they are smart kids who know a good thing that is why they chose UGA. they are not falling for all the glimmer and gold, just basics that will get you to the next level, enjoy a game they love without all the beat down.
JB
January 12th, 2010
2:54 pm
Richt swung for the Fences, and I admire that, but he needs a solid double now. Bama got turned down 3 times before Saban. We have been good enough on offense even the last two years to win every game. The creeps on here are praying we don’t get our D problems solved, because they know what’s coming.
is Kirby a pansy?
January 12th, 2010
2:54 pm
It’s bad enough he lets Saban do all the thinking and speaking for him, but now he’s crying about e-mails? Sounds kinda douchey……
Zeb
January 12th, 2010
2:55 pm
Dam……come on guys. It amazes me of all the UGA faithful that are “doubters” out there. I haven’t seen anyone on our blogs that has a resume of a head coach of anything. The speculation and judgement on here absolutely amazes me. This is one of the reasons that we are made fun of. We all know “what’s best for the UGA program” but most of us don’t have a clue what it takes to run a major college football franchise. Please just take a step back and let CMR do what he does. We won’t be disappointed…….I can almost promise you that. We have to have faith in our coach. Until he absolutely let’s us veterans down….we will be behind him all the way.
Bartkowski had a great arm!
January 12th, 2010
2:55 pm
DawgMan, give credit where it’s due. Garner and two grad assistants put that defense together. I have a strong feeling it was mostly Garner. Not to take anything away from their effors because I’m sure that they’re fine coaches but in no way did they have any say so over CRG.
Kirby "The Weasal" Smart
January 12th, 2010
2:55 pm
That’s for the raise dawg fans…I have to go now…it’s time to shine Nick’s shoes.
JB
January 12th, 2010
2:55 pm
I agree. If Kirby ever wants to be HC in Georgia, it better be at Tech.
NCDAWG
January 12th, 2010
2:56 pm
Forget the FSU-Richt ties…….A long shot would be Amato as a position coach……..The only knock one may have on Bumpas is that he is older compared to some of the other guys. But guys remember most of wanted Willie gone, so we can all agree that anyone is going to be an improvement
Tech Realist
January 12th, 2010
2:56 pm
Georgia is having trouble attracting the top candidates because they are unsure about mark richt’s remaining tenure at UGA. Richt’s on the hot seat starting next year. The UGA fans I know are sick of these mediocre seasons, blowout losses to florida and tennessee and minor bowls every year, especially now that Tech has taken over the ACC and going big with bowls and money.
UGA Alum
January 12th, 2010
2:56 pm
Get DeRuyter from Air Force. Look at what the guy has done their with less atheletes!!!! He a smart guy that is known for an attacking defense. Whats not to like???!!! He will bring some more dicipline and structure do a defense that has been seriously lacking in that dept. GATA DAWGS!!!
BELIEVE IT OR NOT
January 12th, 2010
2:57 pm
Deon Sanders has just arrived at butts mehre by way of a private jet
Dawg Fud
January 12th, 2010
2:57 pm
Everybody bashing Kirby’s decision to stay…
he did not turn hsi back on the Bulldog Naiton, he made a business decision – there is a big difference. he would not have even entertained the idea of talking to UGA if it were not his alma mater, thus proving he did not turn his back on us.
Kirby has nothing to gain and everything to lose by making a lateral move – regardless of where it was.
his stock rises at Bama and gets a HC job in the next coupel of years.
respect the man’s decision.
have any of you ever had to make a business decision. you have to use your head, not just your heart. i bet it was damn tough for Kirby.
cut him some slack, geez…
KIRBY SMART
January 12th, 2010
2:58 pm
I WISH MY DADDY WOULD HAVE LET ME LEAVE!! BOOHOOO
BigTimeTECHFan
January 12th, 2010
2:58 pm
I know 2 coaches DC’s UGA is looking at. Both not big names but you will like their resumes when you see them. I don’t want to start rumors because dog fans seem to go overboard and turn contacts into offers.
Tech also contacted at one of them’s boss.
Mark "Crimson Crier" Ingram
January 12th, 2010
2:58 pm
Is the Hawkeye’s DC happy freezing up in Iowa?
Without-a-clue
January 12th, 2010
2:58 pm
While everyone bemoans the lost of the big-names, was Mark Richt on any blog radars before he was hired?
cherokee
January 12th, 2010
2:58 pm
is Kirby a pansy? …..haven’t heard he was crying about emails, are all of the dawgs hammering him for using UGA for a big raise? Kinda of funny though
Bartkowski had a great arm!
January 12th, 2010
2:59 pm
Mark my words. If Richt waits on Grantham, he loses 3 or 4 recruits to UT’s hostesses, and Florida’s beaches. GET DERUYTER NOW BEFORE SOMEONE ELSE DOES!
NCDAWG
January 12th, 2010
2:59 pm
Mark Ingram;
Iowa’s DC is older than Bumpas….not sure that is the direction UGA and Richt want to go?
JB
January 12th, 2010
2:59 pm
Whew Tech Realist, I’m glad you didn’t say ” BOWL WINS”……LOL……………