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
Adam
January 12th, 2010
5:32 pm
TRAVIS JONES!
Buckhead Marine Corps Dawg
January 12th, 2010
5:34 pm
Guys, Let’s give CMR some support and back him up here.
None of us know what has gone on behind closed doors.
He got rid of Willie and has put it out there for a couple of top DC’s.
Now where is our loyalty? Give him a chance. He is a class act!
We will have a MUCH improved Defense next year regardless.
Nice comments Cuz.
How boutch ya!
TBOMACHINE
January 12th, 2010
5:36 pm
what about the AIR FORCE DC Tim DeRuyter?
Oakwood dawg
January 12th, 2010
5:36 pm
I too like Justin Wilcox(Boise State). Check out his creds. His defenses always exhibit knowledge, fire and intensity—something we haven’t had in a while. He might however, have a hard time adjusting to our Southern heat.
JMc12203
January 12th, 2010
5:38 pm
He may be a class act, but the pups WILL NEVER WIN THE NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP under his watch. He has top recruits every season, but loses games against lesser competition EVERY SEASON.
Buckhead USMC Dawg
January 12th, 2010
5:40 pm
Hey Oakwood dawg, I like that idea a lot.
I might have missed this earlier, but what is the deal with Johnson from South carolina?
Someone…anyone?
TBOMACHINE
January 12th, 2010
5:40 pm
i think ellis johnson would be good too,but dont think he would leave the visor
Buckhead USMC Dawg
January 12th, 2010
5:43 pm
JMc12203 I feel your pain. But I ask you this:
Has he elevated our program? And I don’t know about you but I think Mark has grown and honed his skills as a head coach every year (save 2009) But I see that he is maturing further and shedding the “players coach” style. Rome was not built in a day and I think Mark will surprise you this season.
But I do feel your pain.
Freddie G
January 12th, 2010
5:43 pm
I knew it would come to this circus after Willie was let go, which by the way I agreed with. I am not going to blame Coach Richt for going after Coaches he thought would elevate his program, but I doubted,that Bud Foster would leave after so many years at Virginia Tech, and that Kirby would leave despite Georgia been his Alma Mater. I wrote recently that Kirby would not necessarily have success at Georgia, because Richt was not a defensive coach and so could not help him like Saban can. Despite the accolades Kirby Smart is still a young coach and a veteran like Saban can provide meaningful input from time to time. For all the above I may be the only Bulldogs Fan that is happy Kirby is not coming. I truly believe that if Grantham will recruit he will prove valuable to the program, and if he does not come there must be someone available with College plus NFL experience.
TBOMACHINE
January 12th, 2010
5:44 pm
to JMc12203
i would hardly say that we are looking up to tenn, auburn and arkansas. go back to the engineering lab you nerd
Buckhead USMC Dawg
January 12th, 2010
5:47 pm
TBOMACHINE I bet ole boy would leave the Visor for $600k per year(I know that would probably be too high). Man isn’t it funny…I was ready to give KS $750k and now w/ Johnson I say oh no…that’s too much! Relativity…man…that’s life lol
But You know he would not leave for a HC job after two years.
Just wondering...
January 12th, 2010
5:49 pm
Is there any hard evidence to support the assertion that Kirby Smart (or anyone else) was actually offered the UGA DC job? Read the Kirby Smart and Alabama statements again. They are very carefully worded…and there’s a lot of innuendo… BUT, if one reads the statements word-for-word and literally, it is never stated that Smart was offered the job…or that Richt (or anyone else from UGA) even discussed it with him. Not to mention that, since this was a written statement, Kirby did not have to answer any direct questions. I certainly don’t know the truth, and wonder if any of the reporters really know, either. The whole story could have been a carefully orchestrated (and very “smart”) effort to get a raise…and Alabama and Saban then utilized the rumors as an opportunity to embarass UGA a bit.
What?
January 12th, 2010
5:53 pm
NEVER WIN A NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP? How do you know this? Every team/coach needs to get lucky and catch some break – Urban, Saban, Mack, Pet — all got lucky and had near misses – you can’t win without players CMR has them, you have to get good coaches and CMR has them and he will find a quality DC – but most of all to win it all you need some luck. stay healthy and catch some breaks during the season. Stop with the NEVER – its just nonsense.
BigDawg
January 12th, 2010
5:55 pm
David Pollack – DC and motivational coach. Bill Goldberg – tackling coach. Terry Hoage – DB coach.
Or Asst. DC Brent Venables at Oklahoma – unless Clemson has already nabbed him?
Joseph
January 12th, 2010
5:55 pm
Excuse me, and I am certain this may seem a tad bit redundant, but what happened to posting a position and interviewing those persons interested enough to apply? Then you don’t have to worry about rejection, let the applicants worry about it. After all, you would be hiring one as DC anyway. I just do not like the process we are engaging in. I would think we would be better hiring the person who not only wants the job, but is deemed the best fit of all the applicants.
Buckhead USMC Dawg
January 12th, 2010
6:02 pm
“What?” Thank you Thank you Thank you Sgt Carter!
We have all kinds of upside going into next season.
Where was Bama for most of the last 15 years?
Hey, my hat’s off to Bama and there fans.
But we are no “red headed” step child either.
CMR is “our guy”. And he will only get better.
How many of us have gotten a little “stale” at work, etc. and had a bad month or bad year?
Yeah, no $h1t. Then we “cleaned” house and reorganized and moved forward past where we had been. Well let’s give our “class act” coach a little benefit of the doubt.
1eyedJack
January 12th, 2010
6:02 pm
Get someone who can coach the 4-3, the 3-4, 5-2 or 11-0 with equal enthusiasm!
Mr. Touchdown
January 12th, 2010
6:07 pm
I think Uncle Commode is available.
GATADawg
January 12th, 2010
6:08 pm
Can you colossal idiots PLEASE stop mentioning Vic Keonning? I swear to sugar, if even one of your Moron counterparts in the media says a name you include it. The guy was never talked to and only floated a rumor to get more cash. What a bunch of horse poop. You know I think that Georgia offered Andray Bruce for the position…make sure you put him as chapter 6. Mutants…
Buckhead USMC Dawg
January 12th, 2010
6:16 pm
Ok…This may be a dumb question…but…What about Tenuda?
Yeah, he didn’t have a great run at ND, but that was sort of a weird situation anyway.
We saw what he did for our brethren at Tech.
And he DOES NOT want to be a Head coach.
Any thoughts?
Draggin' Fly
January 12th, 2010
6:16 pm
“f 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”
Is he the one that put the Rah-Rah into Keith Brooking? (rolls eyes).
Dave
January 12th, 2010
6:18 pm
Please, Coach Richt.. DON’T offer the job to Grantham. He was fired from his last job because he helmed the worst Defense in the NFL. While it’s true that he is doing an adequate job at Dallas, there is no evidence of consistency. UGA has had more than their share of inconsistent defensive coaches. So, again I ask that you pass on him.
The best candidate for the job (now that Smart is out of the picture) is Tim DeRuyter. He is a great strategist who sculpts his schemes to match the Offensive he is facing. He is every bit as good as Kirby Smart. He only needs a bigger program than Air Force to showcase his talent.
gdawgs77
January 12th, 2010
6:35 pm
WHY DO PEOPLE WANT GRANTHAM??? HIS 3 YEARS WITH THE BROWNS AT DC THEY FINISHED 16TH, 30TH AND 27TH IN TOTAL DEFENSE. HE DID A TERRIBLE JOB THERE!! DO YOUR RESEARCH!!!
gdawgs77
January 12th, 2010
6:36 pm
WHY DO PEOPLE WANT GRANTHAM??? HIS 3 YEARS WITH THE BROWNS AT DC THEY FINISHED 16TH, 30TH AND 27TH IN TOTAL DEFENSE. HE DID A TERRIBLE JOB THERE!! DO YOUR RESEARCH!!!
Buckhead Dog
January 12th, 2010
6:40 pm
Btw trade school dorks, Paul Johnson aspires to be Jim Donnan because he knows he couldn’t carry Coach Richt’s jock. It’s a certainty that CMR will win a championship before One-scheme-Johnson will. Losers.
Go Dogs….. and, Go Iowa!
cantondawg
January 12th, 2010
6:43 pm
I seriously doubt Koenning was ever offered the position with UGA. He ended up signing with Illinois for $350,000 a year. I’m sure if we really wanted him we would have offered $750,000 like we did Kirby
harold
January 12th, 2010
6:46 pm
Grantham is a JOKE. He got fired at Cleveland. These is CHAOS in Athens. Mike Hamilton and Lane Kiffin, and Mal Moore & Saban,would have gotten Smart. We are going after out fifth choice now. MEDOCRITY!
cantondawg
January 12th, 2010
6:46 pm
Dave,
I wonder what makes you an expert on NFL coaches. Are you an NFL GM or Head Coach. That’s right i didn’t think so..why don’t you just shut up and let the experts handle this
gdawgs77
January 12th, 2010
6:53 pm
EVERETT WITHERS the North Carolina DC or TRAVIS JONES the former bulldog who is at New Orleans right now!
Guess Who?
January 12th, 2010
7:03 pm
Right on Stay Classy UGA. Thats what you call telling it like it is. Great Post!
dawgshack
January 12th, 2010
7:10 pm
Patience dawgs… This will turn out just fine. There are plenty of great coaches who would love to have a chance at this job – now some of them will get that chance.
Gridchap
January 12th, 2010
7:11 pm
It must be frustrating to a newspaper columnist when they are supposed to know something but know nothing and no one is telling them anything…but they have to write something. In addition to getting great raises for certain DC CMR is driving AJC writers crazy.
Vangorder
January 12th, 2010
7:11 pm
brian vangorder stated today that he is interested in the coordinator job and this came from ugasports.com go check it out this is 100 PERCENT true. Richt has also found out that vangorder is interested and has taken it into consideration. i promise you dawg nation we do not have much more longer till we get our guy, a week at the most.
speedy
January 12th, 2010
7:23 pm
Romeo Crennel
Perry Fewell
January 12th, 2010
7:25 pm
Hire me. I am available today. I am from the South and have SEC experience along with a ton of NFL experience and I had a decent run as interim head coach of the Bills.
David Pollack
January 12th, 2010
7:32 pm
Tweet! Mark it, Dude!! Kirby is coming…DO NOT listen to the AJC…they have not a clue. Presser tomorrow is gonna rock. UGA just landed the Smart Choice!
Jimmy Hoffa
January 12th, 2010
7:38 pm
they’ll probably dig up a good defensive coordinator somewhere
Gary in Gainesville, FL
January 12th, 2010
7:41 pm
How about Bumpas at TCU? He has great credentials! Check this out on TCU’s Bumpus!
http://gofrogs.cstv.com/sports/m-footbl/mtt/bumpas_dick00.html
savannah dawg
January 12th, 2010
7:56 pm
What’s Marion Campbell up to these days!
Bo Williams
January 12th, 2010
8:03 pm
How arrogant can UGa fans be? Suggesting that Withers would leave UNC for UGa. You’d as soon get Roy Williams to come be your bb coach.
THE DUDE
January 12th, 2010
8:27 pm
how bout Jim Mora JR, hes needin a job bout now !
Will
January 12th, 2010
8:28 pm
Deruyter or Travis Jones would both be great hires.
Will
January 12th, 2010
8:31 pm
Someone off the Steelers staff might be good, they usually play great defense. As far as Grantham goes, he is a good line coach, but doesn’t seem to be a good dc.
Sam
January 12th, 2010
8:33 pm
Offer the Air Force guy or else Manny Diaz, they can’t match UGA’s offer.
Lefty
January 12th, 2010
8:34 pm
Not that it matters for UGA’s DC, but ESPN is reporting Lane Kiffin is going back to USC. Maybe his dad is available to come to Athens.
Timbo
January 12th, 2010
8:34 pm
LOL Lane Kiffin bolts TEN for USC!
Lefty
January 12th, 2010
8:36 pm
Maybe Kirby will take the Tennessee head coach position.
UGA Alum
January 12th, 2010
8:39 pm
Monte is going with him to USC! I can’t wait to see if the UT fans continue to talk trash on this blog! I love it! UT is back to the back of the pack! HAHAHA
Happydawg
January 12th, 2010
8:40 pm
Manny Diaz
Sam
January 12th, 2010
8:41 pm
Haha Kiffin didn’t want to get beat by Florida for the next 10 years! He’s so overrated, he’s 6-6 his first year for the Vols, couldn’t even beat UCLA!