So is Grantham the guy?
All indications continued to point Wednesday toward Dallas Cowboys assistant coach Todd Grantham as Mark Richt’s latest target for Georgia’s defensive-coordinator job.
What remained uncertain is whether Grantham would accept the job, and when he would feel free to do so.
As I mentioned a couple of days ago, Georgia keeps running into complications in its search. The complication with Grantham -– beyond his decision about whether to return to college football after 11 years of building a strong reputation as an NFL assistant – is that his current team is still playing. Would the Cowboys tolerate a potentially distracting announcement –- or even potentially distracting negotiations –- as they prepare for Sunday’s playoff game at Minnesota?
Grantham hasn’t commented publicly on the Georgia job. Georgia also had no comment Wednesday, reiterating Richt’s refrain that he won’t comment until he has his guy.
But it does appear that Georgia has zeroed in one another strong candidate, this time one whose resume indicates a willingness to change jobs.
Grantham, 43, started his coaching career under Frank Beamer at Virginia Tech and then coached under Nick Saban at Michigan State. Since 1999, Grantham has coached for four NFL teams –- the Colts, Texans, Browns (as defensive coordinator from 2005-07) and Cowboys (as defensive-line coach the past two seasons).
Saban tried to hire Grantham as the Miami Dolphins’ defensive coordinator when Grantham took the Browns job instead in 2005. He was mentioned as a potential head coach in Cleveland in 2006, then fired as defensive coordinator a year later. Such is life in the NFL.
Grantham has one known tie to Georgia -– a vacation home on Lake Oconee.
If you missed it, here’s a blog from yesterday afternoon on Mark Fox, the king of tweeting in the SEC.
And please follow me on Twitter for the latest UGA news and notes.
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260 comments Add your comment
Awful anticipation
January 14th, 2010
2:20 pm
JB and cajdawg,
I hear what your saying, valid points. I wouldn’t disagree, however, it would be nice find a DC trying to make a name for himself. If this person is an unknown it would take 3-4 yrs before other would look really hard.
A No Lose Plan for Richt
January 14th, 2010
2:28 pm
Coach Richt’s going to get 2 guys, more than likely, that way, if one leaves too soon, Coach is covered.
Hey, it worked for Batman and Robin?
Last time, Coach Richt got 2 guys he wanted, Brian Van Gorder and Willie Martinez. When Van Gorder left, Martinez plugged right in and it worked pretty well for 3 more years. It gives some continuity to the program that way.
DC will be announced first, then we’ll get guy #2 as the Plan B.
Possible guys for the dynamic duo are:
Travis Jones, Kevin Steele, Sal Sunseri, and Todd Grantham
JB
January 14th, 2010
2:32 pm
We’ll have Grantham for atleast two years, maybe three. Foster will be the HC at VT by then, and if Grantham has turned our D around, he will be called home for 1 mil a year at VT…..
Or………………….he may love Athens. HE’s gotta lake house at Oconee.
UA Alum92
January 14th, 2010
2:32 pm
I’m not slamming Richt, just wondering why we haven’t heard of anyone interested / campaigning for the DC job. Don’t most coaches have a stable of former players and coaches who are part of their potential talent pool for such a position? Weird.
I do think CMR made mistakes firing Coach Martinez without a bird in hand, allowing this to stretch out so long and especially letting this play out so pubicly.
My two cents.
jellybeandawg
January 14th, 2010
2:33 pm
Mark Richt = FAKE JUICE
Mark Richt = FAKE TAN
Mark Richt = FAKE JUICE
Mark Richt = FAKE TAN
Mark Richt = FAKE JUICE
Mark Richt = FAKE TAN
Mark Richt = FAKE JUICE
Mark Richt = FAKE TAN
Mark Richt = FAKE JUICE
Mark Richt = FAKE TAN
Mark Richt = FAKE JUICE
Mark Richt = FAKE TAN
Grantham Long Shot
January 14th, 2010
2:36 pm
Grantham would be a great choice, but it’s a long shot. If Georgia gets him, give the man a parade. But at this point, we don’t want to get our hopes up AGAIN only to be dissapointed. Probably gonna be a couple of up and comers from a non SEC/ACC conference. The rumor folks are all usually wrong, and they’re saying Grantham, so I seriously doubt it. Look for a guy with a #1 ranked D in a non sec/acc conference, lots of choices and options. Last time, Coach Richt went for 2 lesser known names from a smaller division. You could probably get 4 of those guys, for the price of 2 bigger names.
Flo-Ri-Duh!
January 14th, 2010
2:36 pm
Pee Wee Herman is being interviewd for the head coaching position at Tennessee – well qualified as his record at the Orange County police department indicates.
how2fish
January 14th, 2010
2:38 pm
GT Rich after that coaching meltdown last year he’s one and done!
pants on the floor
January 14th, 2010
2:40 pm
Grantham Long Shot…..How is Grantham a long shot? He would be going from a position coach making about $300,000 to a DC position making over twice that. I might be crazy, but it sounds pretty appealing to me!!!!!!
Cherokee
January 14th, 2010
3:02 pm
jellybeandawg = IDIOT
Fair and Balanced
January 14th, 2010
3:09 pm
Rivals states with almost certainty that it’s Grantham.
Nate Dawg
January 14th, 2010
3:09 pm
If Mark Richt really wants Todd Grantham, I would think he could get him. Why would the Cowboys get in a bidding war with UGA over a position coach? He’ll come for the right amount of money.
JB
January 14th, 2010
3:14 pm
There are a lot less Gators on here since Meyer “broke” and put them in a tail spin. I will not flame his Results and success at Florida, it’s been great, but that I’m outta here , I’m back, well maybe, we’ll see, ok by Sept has to have the fan base and Recruits nervous.
Grantham Long Shot
January 14th, 2010
3:15 pm
Last time, in this same situation, Richt ended up with 2 smaller known guys from a smaller known conference, Martinez and Van Gorder.
Because Grantham’s on a team in a Super Bowl run, I’d say the timing is off and it’s a long shot.
Big Clue:
When the media hypes up a guy, it’s usually an agent trying to get the guy a raise at his present team. Been there, done that.
1eyedJack
January 14th, 2010
3:24 pm
Is Ricky Tidwell’s Momma still available?
She was a real bold woman raised on a farm
Had Bear Bryant tattooed on her forearm
She’d wash all her team mates uniforms
Tucked everybody in in the football dorms
Cooked the game meal, said the Lord’s prayer
You’re missing a jockstrap? She’s got a spare
Crawled in the huddle, and called all the plays
The only one tough enough to go both ways
Yeah…a mouth full of mud, scoured up knees
Cussing out the coaches spittin’ on referees
dawglaw
January 14th, 2010
3:38 pm
It seems like the back channel from Richt to Grantham would be Brad Johnson. Have any of the AJC folks followed up on this?
route66
January 14th, 2010
3:54 pm
What becomes of Garner if this hire is made because he is also a defensive line coach?
brucemac
January 14th, 2010
3:54 pm
UA92, how is it any different than when Bama fired Shula and Saban was the fourth choice. I don’t think it matters anymore, does it? This is just a bunch of media and anti-UGA nonsense. When we hire the right guy noone will remember or care about this and if we hire the wrong guy CMR will not be here anymore. So, let the man do his job.
Wreckmaniac
January 14th, 2010
3:58 pm
Maybe UGA should just skip next season and spend a full year in this search so they know they will get it right. I mean, if Meyer is taking the year off, can’t CMR ? Don’t coaches get sabbaticals ?
Archbishop of Canterbury
January 14th, 2010
3:58 pm
Let’s address it this way. Is there ANY date that would make you unhappy if there is still not a DC on board. Is there any doubt in your mind that any coach hired at this point will STILL be hailed as a “great Fit and just the RIGHT man for the job. Glad it took so long because CMR got his man” You know it will be portrayed that way. Tommy Bowden or Mickey Andrews could he hired and he would be treated asTom Landry before he left the Giants to go the Cowboys in 1960.
This is why i prefer pro sports. The fan bases in college are so emotionally connected to teams they follow that they treat coaches as family–above criticis in many cases. The clown in Athens has gone 2-7 against Florida, his achievements in 9 years have been dwarfed by what Meyer has done in 5 and yet there are Georgia people who want him around forever even if he went 6-6 BECAUSE he is a good” Christian” man. Wow!! what the guy’s religion has to do with his performance evaluation and perception at a public institution as a coach is something I don’t get, BUT I like pro sports.’
Wreckmaniac
January 14th, 2010
4:01 pm
Don’t blame the AJC writers. They’re just calling it like they see it.
This is a disaster. The awful earthquake in Haiti is a disaster. So is the UGA coaching search. What else can you call it ? “UH, we’re just looking around” ?
Wreckmaniac
January 14th, 2010
4:07 pm
The Dallas coach said “this job was rejected by Kirby, Bill Foster,and
John Chavis and its just the one I’ve been looking for “
GaGator
January 14th, 2010
4:09 pm
Richt is the happiest coach in America. This Kiffin soap opera has taken all the attention away from his fruitless search (so far) for a DC.
brucemac
January 14th, 2010
4:11 pm
Archbishop, sounds like you have the same illogical college fan love for old Coach Cry Baby. I guess you like pro sports and Coach Cryer equally well. Please stay off our blog and you won’t have to be so frustrated you idiot.
brucemac
January 14th, 2010
4:14 pm
Coach Cryer ain’t there anymore so he is irrelavent. We are 0 and 0 against your new Coach Spaghetti. You can hang your hat on high school kids if it you want. I will bet on our 10 returning offensive starters on and new DC. See you in Jacksonville.
GaGator
January 14th, 2010
4:16 pm
brucemac
Testy, testy, testy, the Bishop was right as rain about Richt vs Meyer. If you look a the Gators #1 recruiting class you will know it will be 4 more painful years in Jacksonville.
DOUG
January 14th, 2010
4:20 pm
Every coach in the Southeast has property in Georgia. That rairly makes a difference but maybe it will be enought to put him over the edge. Still not sure he would leave the greatest pro football program for one of the best in the SEC. Dont go to far Willie.
Grantham Long Shot
January 14th, 2010
4:23 pm
Pretty sure Grantham’s agent will play this up in Dallas with Phillips and Jones.
And Jerry Jones shouldn’t have any trouble matching ANY offer Georgia can come up with, Jones is a Billionaire. $700,000 is chump change to Jerry Jones.
UglyOld Dog
January 14th, 2010
4:24 pm
GaGator….heard Maeyer started having Panic attacks again thinking ….no more Teblow….oh noooooooooo
UglyOld Dog
January 14th, 2010
4:26 pm
GaGator…sorry about the misspell…I’m a product of georgia’s fine education system…shoulda been Meyer
GaGator
January 14th, 2010
4:36 pm
That ok, it’s silly either way. But I read that Tuberville has gotten a DC from the Alabama staff. It’s James Willis, Saban linebacker coach. It’s becoming more and more apparent with each passing day that Richt just know anybody or is in over his head as a Head coach.
We shall see.
Richt must be the happiest coach in America. This Kiffin soap opera has taken all the attention away from his fruitless search (so far) for a DC.
oledawg
January 14th, 2010
4:43 pm
Cojones has been posting around that we should rally behind Richt at this time–no matter what the outcome. Agreed! He suggesta that we post on Richt’s site and others in a resounding way to show our support for UGA, Richt and the Dawgs. Let’s do that ASAP so that Richt and the rest of these sorry anti- Georgia posters and writers know how we are together and resolved with our team to see another good Dawg Team grow.
RISE UP DAWG NATION!! Do your good thing.
Left out of all this sturm and drang has been a declaration to end our period of mourning and get UgaVIII introduced. Onward and upward! The rise of the 2010 and 2011 Dawgs has begun. My two hounds, Fannie Mae and Priscilla, send their greetings to the next symbol of our University: “WOOF!WOOF!” and “YAWHOOOOOOUUUR!”.
What's Up Wirh Richt's AD?
January 14th, 2010
4:45 pm
Is Damon Evans trying to undermine Richt? Why not spend the big bucks to get Foster, Chavis, or Smart? Is Evans trying to get out of the contract with Richt without firing Richt? Makes you wonder if Evans wants Richt to jump to another school. Really, really bizarre the way Evans has guarded the purse. Don’t think AD is giving Richt any leverage.
GaGator
January 14th, 2010
4:45 pm
Whoops, forgot I already said that.
Lesser Known Defensive Coordinators
January 14th, 2010
4:59 pm
Don’t know how many of these are still avilable, but here are some of the top defenses from 2009 in different conferences:
North Carolina
Rutgers
Pitt
Navy
Central Michigan
Temple
Air Force
TCU
Boise St.
Probably going to be a couple of these guys.
TBOMACHINE
January 14th, 2010
5:09 pm
clay aiken would be a GREAT fit with CPJ at Tech. Finally a masculine figure for the techies to look up to. hahahaha GO DAWGS
TBOMACHINE
January 14th, 2010
5:11 pm
and if you dont like it, punch one of the AMERICAN IDOL judges in the face
An Long Shot for Richt? New England DC
January 14th, 2010
5:17 pm
He’s avilable as of today. Go get him.
http://www.patriots.com/team/index.cfm?ac=coachbio&bio=28099
Froggy Dawgy
January 14th, 2010
5:33 pm
JB
January 14th, 2010
3:14 pm
There are a lot less Gators on here since Meyer “broke” and put them in a tail spin. I will not flame his Results and success at Florida, it’s been great, but that I’m outta here , I’m back, well maybe, we’ll see, ok by Sept has to have the fan base and Recruits nervous
This guy has been sleeping the last 3 weeks, hello……………………the Gators class went from great to some experts calling their incoming class the best ever assembled. Check out Rivals, Scout, and the ESPN150 and see all those “scared” Gator commits. The only people that should be nervous are SEC East teams that are going to see these boys the next 3 or 4 years. Tailspin? No, preseason #1 to 8-5 is a tailspin.
Pitbull
January 14th, 2010
5:36 pm
AJC don’t know DIDDY about who the next DC will be.
Charlie Charlie
January 14th, 2010
5:42 pm
JB
You shouldn’t be surprised, Muslims don’t help each other out let alone the rest of the world.
Nick
January 14th, 2010
5:48 pm
Powerdawg:
George Edwards. Yeah never heard of him either. He came from the Dolphins. Why didn’t this hire make so much as a ripple when ours has been a total media debacle?
I think if CMR wants Grantham, he knows and likes something that we don’t know about yet. I totally put my trust in him. He’s paid alot of money to know what he’s doing. Only time will tell and I’m not going to write Grantham or anybody for that matter off immediately. Innocent until proven guilty!
Nick
January 14th, 2010
5:51 pm
PowerDawg:
P.S., further research shows George Edwards was on UGA’s staff in 1997 as a DL coach!
Came from Duke, was grad assistant at UF in 1991.
Duke? ha ok
Bark Avenue
January 14th, 2010
5:58 pm
Enter your comments here
MVP
January 14th, 2010
6:10 pm
Don’t get too excited mutt nation. Grantham will say WHY?
CMR
January 14th, 2010
6:18 pm
I’m clueless about the search for the new DC but my tan and hair looks great!
Jesup
January 14th, 2010
6:19 pm
GaGator “Richt must be the happiest coach in America. This Kiffin soap opera has taken all the attention away from his fruitless search (so far) for a DC.”"”
AS MUCH AS YOU OR ANY OF US THINK….UGA DC Position has never got alot of press on the National level,
*
Big DAWG
January 14th, 2010
6:24 pm
I think Todd Grantham would be a great hire and a terrific DC. The man coached under Nick Satan once, but was smart enough that he turned him down in in request to follow him to Miami. I alo don’t fault him for the problems as DC with the Cleveland Browns. Get real people, Cleveland had not done anything since Jim Brown. It was not Grantham’s fault. I hope to read in the next few days that he is our new DC.
Big L
January 14th, 2010
6:25 pm
Hey, all us Dawg fans should calm down. We could be Tenn. or Bama 2 years down the road. Richt is stable and cares. That will keep is successful and proud. Richt will get a great DC and Ogeltree will lead the assault. On the other hand, listened to Colin Cowheard on the radio and he has a good source who said that Richt HAS to win this year, and 9 or 10 won’t cut it.
Jesup
January 14th, 2010
6:26 pm
Look, give me a very successful High school coach that has a record of strong Defense with a little fire in his belly. They are a lot of very talented High school coaches that could be a lot more successful than willie. But too many fans for Ga. think that its all about a name, or a former player with one year exp. I will be happy with a GREAT high school coach.