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
UGA FAN IN ALANAMA
January 12th, 2010
2:59 pm
Hey lets all agree!!!! Who ever we get, we s DAWGS nationwil stand behind them!!! I dont care we call Bob Night and see what he thanks of football!!!! I am a DAWGS fan who has had it UP TO MY NECK with these peopl bashing the DAWGS!!! I personally want to see Mike Leach on the staff,not DC you goobers!! Put Mike any where on the staff an i wil dress like pirate for every game!!! I AM A DAWGAT HART NO MATTER WHO IT IS!!!!!!
PapaDawg
January 12th, 2010
2:59 pm
We did not need Kirby simply because he’s a temporary DC. He’ll be a head coach within a year maybe even this year and I don’t want to go thru this again.
uga dawg man 1994
January 12th, 2010
3:00 pm
Kirby is whining about emails!
What a jerk!
I hope he stays in Alabama.
Little Kirby boy needs to grow a pair.
I see why Saban doesn’t want Kirby talking with the press.
I waiting for him to start crying.
CMR will make the right move!
TW3A
January 12th, 2010
3:00 pm
I hope Deon didn’t actually try to land on the building, that is a sign within itself
TECH
January 12th, 2010
3:00 pm
Marion Cambell
Dave Wommack
January 12th, 2010
3:01 pm
I’m still available but you better hurry. I just won 11 games. Find another available DC that did that. That’s several more than UGA won.
Buckhead Marine Corps Dawg
January 12th, 2010
3:03 pm
I believe in Coach Mark Richt. He will get us a great DC.
Guys, do you remember what month it was when Bama finally hired Saban?
I was late January early February (help me out Bama fans).
Now, settle down. We sound like a bunch of school girls getting anxious over if we will get an invite to the prom.
Any coach is an improvement over what we have had for the last couple of years.
Did you see what two Grad assts. did with the talent we had in the Indy Bowl?
Now hang in there and be positive.
Go dawgs!
Damon Evans
January 12th, 2010
3:03 pm
Dave Wommack …yea but one of your loses were to UGA, so you do not count. Sorry……..thanks for the interest!
Sean Chatham
January 12th, 2010
3:04 pm
Dawg Fud, didn’t realize Mickey’s son had committed suicide. I can understand him wanting to take a step back and spend time with family. Who knows where this will lead? I do know I have ALL the faith in the world in Coach Richt. UGA is lucky to have him and he will get this thing turned around. No doubt.
Bartkowski had a great arm!
January 12th, 2010
3:04 pm
There is absolutely no sense at all for anyone to be upset with KS. The guy obviously had a very tough time with this decision and if Bama doesn’t cough up the money, he’s back in Athens. But the guy has worked under Saban for years and it really didn’t make sense after the pay raise for him to come on board. Not to worry Bulldog Nation. This will be a blessing in disguise because we’re going to get a guy that will do a great job and leave after 4 or 5 years just like all the others. That’s the sign of a strong program. That’s life! Now go get DeRuyter and and let him hit the recruiting trail to secure all these great recruits. DAMN!
SUPER DAWG
January 12th, 2010
3:04 pm
If K Smart was loyal to his alma mater he would be packing up his crap and heading east. It appears the either a) he is not loyal at all or b) he felt that he was not up to the task at UGA and stay under the comfortable wings of the Sabanator. Anyone who finds fault with Smart’s decision has every right to be angry. He has embarrassed his alma mater and most Dawg fans have removed his name from any consideration in the future. For two people who both played sports at UGA I can not fathom any other explanation for doing what he did. Everyone knows Athens is the greatest college town ever and that once you have UGA in the blood even the Sabanator can’t get it out.
Yellow Jacket Man
January 12th, 2010
3:04 pm
Good luck Dog Fans.
I think CMR will pick a class guy to be the DC.
Based on Kirby’s whining, your’re lucky he will not be in Athens.
I don’t think Bama will have the talent next year and I think UGA just had an off year.
Although I still want UGA to get kicked by GT…I want that to be your only loss.
JB
January 12th, 2010
3:05 pm
With the ADA in place, ole Marion Campbell might work. Let’s hire Joe lee Dunn an Tenuta and blitz 11 every play. A beer drinker and a physco.
JB
January 12th, 2010
3:06 pm
Thanks yellow Jacket Man…………………………………………………………..
FalconUGAFan
January 12th, 2010
3:06 pm
Kirby Smart isn’t a traitor. He did what we would all do in his situation. He weighed his options and did what was best for him and his family.
SHELLEY
January 12th, 2010
3:06 pm
what is sanders doing in athens he is not a coach
NCDAWG
January 12th, 2010
3:07 pm
Dave Wommack,,,,,what a joke…You and Willie have fun looking for jobs.
I hope UGA has their guy by the end of the week……
Buckhead Marine Corps Dawg
January 12th, 2010
3:08 pm
Hey Dawg Fans. It is not the “University of (insert coaches name)”. It is the University of Georgia!
Don’t bash Kirby. He made the best decision for what is best for Kirby.
We will get our guy and look to a great season coming up.
And I am so tired of hearing the talking heads bash CMR for going after the top DC’s in College Football.
We would be pissed off if CMR did not go after the best.
BlueHose97
January 12th, 2010
3:09 pm
Go get Tommy Spangler at La. Tech. All you people out there are fools for only focusing on the big names. Spangler is just as good of a defensive mind as Krby Smart, Chavis, or Foster. I have been a big Presbyterian fan for years and watched Spangler as a DC and HC. His defenses were always the BEST prepared on the field and played with intensity. Tommy is an excellent motivator and will have his players playing at the highest level. Great DC, but everybody is so caught up in big names they fail to see what a coach can do. Just because he has been in the lower levels does not mean he doesn’t know his stuff. I hope The Dawgs choose to go that direction because I know they won’t go wrong!
Richard Hamilton
January 12th, 2010
3:09 pm
Why isn’t Paul Pasqualoni being considered? He was a successful head coach in college and is well respected around the nfl.
Vince Dooley
January 12th, 2010
3:09 pm
Can I count on some of you showing up tomorrow to help with the construction?
I need some help and Barbara is driving me nuts.
And remember I am the best coach UGA will ever have…. .621 winning percentage.
shuck
January 12th, 2010
3:09 pm
In all reality Smart would not have been a good hire, everyone knows Saban runs the defense and gets the athletes. At GA Smart would have been under a major radar and would have more involvement with the football program as a whole(recuiting, Richt’s knowledge of defense over Saban), more than under the control freak Saban. He simply will continue to ride the coat-tail of Saban and land a job probaly within the next two years. Coach Richt really needs to take a look at a lower lever D-I program up and coming coach to consider for the DC and stop giving all these Coaches raises.
UGA FAN IN ALANAMA
January 12th, 2010
3:09 pm
I beliv whoever we get wll be a man and i quote. ” I’m a man!!! I’m 40!!!”… Any ways next fall when these recruts and our new DC step on cmpusand they here that trumpeter in the West endzone play from the seats, thn they will pee there pants like i did at my fist game!!! lol…. GO DAWGS!!!!
JB
January 12th, 2010
3:09 pm
Deon in town to help Richt with his look and recruiting.
I know4Sure
January 12th, 2010
3:10 pm
I have it under good authority that Will Muschamp is not interested and would never consider returning to Athens.
wishful thinking
January 12th, 2010
3:10 pm
“Exdawgballer” great insights. Tell Mr. Richt of your insight since you were on the team. I know CG to have a great respect from the team and he is like family to most away from home. Great idea with other assistants. Go DAWGS!
30-24
JB
January 12th, 2010
3:11 pm
BREAKING NEWS: The real reason Kirby turned down UGA. He had the tongue cut off his house. He’s stuck in Paradise off route 27.
Jim
January 12th, 2010
3:12 pm
All that matters is that Kirby is not that good of a coordinator, it turns out….unless of course he took the UGA job, then he would have been the best defensive coordinator in the history of the sport….but since he didn’t, he is worthless and UGA can find someone much better. Go Dawgs!
Grits Blitz
January 12th, 2010
3:12 pm
Jerry Glanville!!! He’s out of work, short on cash and needs a job! He’ll bring the heat every play and bring some “atmosphere” to the D. Give him a call—he’s at some juke joint pounding down PBRs right now!!!
bwell
January 12th, 2010
3:12 pm
Why not get someone from a D2 school and call it the day. Someone who has a proven track record with a top notch D. That way you will have someone unknown and stability with the program. Why not ask Coach Bill B. the former Bal. Ravens coach.
We need help
January 12th, 2010
3:14 pm
Hire Vince Dooley back, he’s the only one who wants to be in Athens. Wait, we’ve already fired him once.
kEVIN
January 12th, 2010
3:14 pm
Shouldn’t it be Kirby Smert would should be told to stay classy. Saban called him “a loyal guy.” That’s like Tiger Woods calling you husband of the year. Face it, Kirby learned class from his daddy Saban and he uerked us around to get more money and traise his profile. Not a very classy thing to do to your alma mater in my opinion. He should have his degree taken away and replaced with a Bama one. I hear , like everything else Bama, including the nat. champ trophy, you can buy one at Wal Mart. As for Richt, he has botched this big time. Just antoehr example of why he is so ill suited to be a HC in the SEC. But he could still get lucky with a Van Gorder type hire.
LVJacket
January 12th, 2010
3:15 pm
clearly you jest….Gailey won????? He averaged over 5 losses per season with Tech……come on….
EGGDOG
January 12th, 2010
3:15 pm
Earlier in the process the AirForce DC was mentioned and sounded as if his resume was outstanding. Does anyone know anything about him and his possibilities?
Midtown Dawg
January 12th, 2010
3:17 pm
How about this guy (Jaime Hill) at BYU? I’ve heard great things about him from people out west. The Air Force guy would be good too, but I read he’s going to Texas A&M.
http://www.deseretnews.com/article/695216568/Breaking-down-Jaime-Hill.html
Larry O
January 12th, 2010
3:18 pm
Hire me!!, We would blitz or do stunts on every down. And my conerbacks would be jamming the recievers at the line,not stand 20 yards away and then watch the reciever blow by them. And maybe institute a 4-4-3 defense every once in whlie
Bama
January 12th, 2010
3:20 pm
Hey JB, you could go visit, it’s the closest UGA fans will get to the NC trophy.
Buckhead Marine Corps Dawg
January 12th, 2010
3:20 pm
Anyone is better than Willie Martinez…Anyone. He is not and X’s and O’s coach…never was.
UGA FAN IN ALANAMA
January 12th, 2010
3:20 pm
For the non Richt fans, this is me being VERY dilloutional, what if we paid Rcht money to go sit in the sky box Samford stadium…. And gave i toatal H–L to get are budy Will Mashtaters in here asth new HC and gave the OC job to Mik Leach and Get Granthem as the DC!!!!! lol…. Now that would be FUN!!!! lol
Alabama Jack
January 12th, 2010
3:22 pm
Chuck Amato – its a done deal.
Iron Dawg
January 12th, 2010
3:24 pm
Buddy Green – Navy – Need to take a look at him. Air Force is in Mt. West and not used to as many defensive schemes as Navy who has to play everyone as an independent. He also knows Ga Tech’s program so our most important non-conference game wouldn’t take him by surprise. And, think of what he can do with UGA athletes if he got the Navy kids to a better bowl than UGA.
GT
January 12th, 2010
3:25 pm
I’m a Ramblin’ Wreck from Georgia Tech and a hell of an engineer,
A helluva, helluva, helluva, helluva, hell of an engineer,
Like all the jolly good fellows, I drink my whiskey clear,
I’m a Ramblin’ Wreck from Georgia Tech and a hell of an engineer.
Oh, if I had a daughter, sir, I’d dress her in White and Gold,
And put her on the campus, to cheer the brave and bold.
But if I had a son, sir, I’ll tell you what he’d do.
He would yell, “To Hell with Georgia,” like his daddy used to do.
Oh, I wish I had a barrel of rum and sugar three thousand pounds,
A college bell to put it in and a clapper to stir it around.
I’d drink to all good fellows who come from far and near.
I’m a ramblin’, gamblin’, hell of an engineer.
gomdawg
January 12th, 2010
3:26 pm
i hope not
coachdawg 2000
January 12th, 2010
3:29 pm
I am ashamed of bashing of kirby Smart. So what, he has chosen to stay at a better situation. He is no more of a sellout than Van Gorder going to Jacksonville as a position coach. He even took the Chicken job in ‘08 before the Mike named him DC of of the Falcons. We need to get a grip. Ask notre Dame about “winning the press conference” with some flashy hire. The fact is get a guy that this is a dream for. Not somebody whose looking to jump for a HC job or who we have to twist their arm to get. Big deal Kirby was a good ball player here (except of course for ‘98 Tech game when he missed about a zillion tackles) Vince Dooley was an Auburn guy but he didn’t bolt. Also Ray Goff was an outstanding Georgia man as a player and assistant coach. Coach Richt will find the right guy who fits the “Georgia way” and hopefully we’ll be fine if not so be it. CMR has earned the benefit of the doubt (I was at Georgia from 95-2000, back then just winning a bowl game was huge) It is called perspective people, GET SOME! You nonsensical ramblings embarrass us.
Jon
January 12th, 2010
3:31 pm
I’m tired of reading the same blog written over and over again. Please don’t post another one until Mark Richt hires somebody. Thanks!
gdawginkalamazoo
January 12th, 2010
3:34 pm
Tim, can you tell all of us what offers were made to Chavis, Koerning, and Foster? I have been checking this thing daily for info and seemed to have missed those offers. I know what Kirby was offered and it wasn’t enough to cut the Saban apron strings but all these other guys that have turned down what offers?
longDawg
January 12th, 2010
3:35 pm
All these smart a$$ saying5 offers have been made only ONE was in writing and verifible. NOT to worry there are plenty of TOP DC’s for us to get and belief me it will be a great one
coachdawg 2000
January 12th, 2010
3:35 pm
GT-
Is that the fight song I didn’t hear that much at this year’s game. Coach Pajamas runs World of War Craft not this state. His middle school offense was good until he got out of the All Cupcake Conference. 30-24 chump.
Iron Dawg
January 12th, 2010
3:37 pm
Anyone putting down K. Smart isn’t a “true” Bulldog. I wish he would have accepted also but didn’t really think he would. The ONLY reason he even considered it was because it was UGA. Smart made a Smart decision and anyone on here that is half as smart would have done the same thing. There are good coaches out there, while Smart is good it isn’t like he’s the only one. I still say Buddy Green at Navy should be interviewed.
coachdawg 2000
January 12th, 2010
3:38 pm
GT-
I hear Joe hamilton is coming out his own line of booster seats. the come equipped with cubbies for hiding your stash.