UGA hires Grantham for $750,000 per year
(Updated 7 p.m.)
Athens – He last coached on the college level in 1998. He’ll make more money than Georgia has ever paid an assistant coach. He’ll change the Bulldogs’ defensive alignment to a 3-4.
He is Todd Grantham, and he is the answer to the question that dogged Georgia fans for 43 days: Who would coach Mark Richt hire as defensive coordinator?
“We have our man,” Richt said Friday as he named Grantham, the Dallas Cowboys’ defensive line coach, to fill the job that had been open since the Dec. 2 firing of Willie Martinez.
Grantham was known to have been on Richt’s radar for weeks, but at least three other candidates declined the job before it was offered to him. On Thursday night, Grantham accepted the same deal that Alabama defensive coordinator and former Georgia player Kirby Smart rejected three days earlier: a three-year, $750,000-per-year contract.
That salary will make Grantham the third highest-paid defensive coordinator in college football, behind only USC’s Monte Kiffin ($1.2 million plus a $300,000 bonus last season at Tennessee) and Texas’ Will Muschamp ($900,000). Georgia’s highest-paid assistants in 2009, Martinez and offensive coordinator Mike Bobo, made $325,000 each, plus bonuses.
Grantham, 43, was an assistant coach at Virginia Tech and Michigan State in the 1990s but has spent the past 11 seasons in the NFL, including the past two with Dallas. His only previous experience as a coordinator was with the Cleveland Browns from 2005-07.
Grantham will begin work at Georgia when Dallas’ season ends. The Cowboys play Sunday at Minnesota in an NFL playoff game.
By phone from Dallas late Friday afternoon, Grantham took a break from preparing for the Vikings to discuss his new job and new team.
He said Georgia will switch from its traditional 4-3 base defense to the 3-4, meaning three linemen and four linebackers rather than vice versa.
“We’re going to an aggressive style 3-4,” he said.
He said two outside linebackers “are going to be coming … are going to be developed as pass rushers.” Two inside linebackers, he said, are “going to be downhill guys to the ball.”
Although the 3-4 will become the base defense, Grantham said the Dogs will use “multiple” defenses “to have the ability to match [the offense's] personnel.”
The end result, he said, will be “an aggressive, physical, attacking-style defense.”
Grantham, who has coached the defensive line for most of his career, said he’ll work instead with the linebackers at Georgia. He said that’s a good role for a coordinator because the linebackers coach spends time on the practice field with both the line and the secondary, depending on the drill.
The only holdover on Georgia’s defensive coaching staff is line coach Rodney Garner. Grantham said they have not met, but “I have heard good things about him, and I expect to be meeting him shortly.”
Two openings remain on the defensive staff — Richt fired three coaches last month — but Grantham said no decisions have been made on who will be hired for those spots.
“Coach Richt and I will be working this weekend and next week to try to iron some of those things out,” he said.
Grantham’s hire capped an arduous process in which Richt was rejected by three highly respected defensive coordinators: Virginia Tech’s Bud Foster, LSU’s John Chavis and Smart. Richt said Grantham, whom he did not know when the search began, was recommended highly by many other coaches during the protracted process. One known to have recommended him was Foster.
After Smart turned down the job Monday, Richt turned the focus to Grantham.
“The overriding factor throughout the entire process is I was very prayerful that in the end we got the right man for the job. And that’s exactly what happened,” Richt said. “It was not something I was trying to do at breakneck speed.
“Sometimes it’s easy to just get a person who is willing to come at the drop of a hat, but when you’re looking at the quality we were looking for, such as Todd, it doesn’t always happen overnight. I’m just thankful we stayed the course and ended up where we ended up.
“I really feel like we hit the jackpot,” he added.
Richt’s six-week search for a defensive coordinator generated extraordinary interest among Georgia fans who have been concerned about the play of the Bulldogs’ defense the past two years. The Bulldogs allowed 34 or more points in 10 of 26 games over those seasons — a culture shock for a program once known for stout defense.
“I think … we can get the defense back to the way it has been in the past,” Grantham said.
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793 comments Add your comment
The Other St. Simons
January 15th, 2010
1:45 pm
Al Grow has fallen and he can’t get up.
Willie or Won't He?
January 15th, 2010
1:46 pm
Nice to know that we have bean counters watching our back.
Willie or Won't He?
January 15th, 2010
1:47 pm
At least we did get Grantham. Paying Groh 750000 a year would have been pretty embarrassing.
Where Is my Tanning Boothand Botox
January 15th, 2010
1:48 pm
Dear WTF, University of Chicago used to be relevant in football. Army and Columbia used to be relevant. Another 10 years of the Botoxed Beach Boy and you will have same meaning as Princeton. I would quit worrying about WHEN Florida started playing football and consider HOW they have played it last 20 years.
gdawginkalamazoo
January 15th, 2010
1:50 pm
ugaaccountant, thank you. Now can you please explain that to Bradley, Schultz and Barnhart?
gdawginkalamazoo
January 15th, 2010
1:51 pm
Al Groh lands in the ATL and ask “Where’s the beef?”.
Willie or Won't He?
January 15th, 2010
1:52 pm
I understand that being FANatical is the very essence of being a fan, but it doesn’t hurt to bring a critical perspective also. I pay more to the university through contributions, the annual fund, and my season tickets to three sports than most, so I have not only the right but also the obligation to keep a watchful (and objectively realistic) eye on UGA athletics. I support the Dawgs always, but that doesn’t mean I am blind. To the tens of thousands who buy season tickets and never went to a class there, and the millions who buy licensed logo merchandise and watch the telecasts: thank you and please continue to do so. But don’t tell me a turnip is an apple while you’re shoving it down my throat.
Todd
January 15th, 2010
1:53 pm
He had 11 All Americans on D, now he might have 1……………………..Attack Away.
Chipped Tires
January 15th, 2010
1:54 pm
Tenn sure didnt take long to hire a head coach. Derek Dooley wont miss a beat with giving beatdowns to CMR.. HA HA HA HA HA HA HA. Took Makie boy 6 weeks to hire a DC. HA HA HA HA HA
Saint Augustine
January 15th, 2010
1:54 pm
Willie or Won’t He?
January 15th, 2010
1:47 pm
At least we did get Grantham. Paying Groh 750000 a year would have been pretty embarrassing.
YOU OVER PAID BADLY DUDE
Willie or Won't He?
January 15th, 2010
1:55 pm
Last post: We got the best we could afford and the Techies got the best they could afford. We obviously could afford more and better. IF the recruiting rankings are to be believed we should see immediate improvement in the strength, attitude, and execution of the defense next year. Go Dawgs.
Chipped Tires
January 15th, 2010
1:55 pm
thats Markie boy !
Chipped Tires
January 15th, 2010
1:57 pm
I bet Virginia wished that they hired Derek Dooley. Rocky Top is really happy now. UGA just days were better. I bet ole VD is saying Take that Michael Adams and back stabbing Damon!!!!!
Coach from Cheers
January 15th, 2010
1:59 pm
To UF’sBitch! Get your facts straight moron! UGA grads are far more successful than GT grads as a whole. I lived with two GT grads post college and they could not find work for 2 years due to lack of social skills. Book Smart does not equal occupational success. Also, you’d have to go to China, Japan and India to see their success rates as half the GT student body graduates and goes back to their home country.
Terry
January 15th, 2010
2:01 pm
Derek Dooley will reportedly be named Tennessee’s next head coach even though the Vols still have one interview left to conduct. Multiple media sources are reporting that the former Louisiana Tech head coach has agreed to replace Lane Kiffin, who left UT for Southern California on Tuesday, and a deal is imminent. UT athletic director Mike Hamilton is set to interview interim head coach Kippy Brown at 1 p.m.
Chipped Tires
January 15th, 2010
2:02 pm
Derek Dooley will keep the beatdowns to UGA intact by and for Tenn..
Chipped Tires
January 15th, 2010
2:04 pm
Derek Dooley is a done Deal ! The beatdowns continue. CMR outFOXED again LOL LOL LOL
gdawginkalamazoo
January 15th, 2010
2:05 pm
I can’t wait until 2012 when UT plays Kennesaw State. “Dueling Dooleys Showdown”. Cuz can you buy me one of those t-shirts and ship it up here when it happens?
Kippy Brown
January 15th, 2010
2:07 pm
Pleae wish me luck today on my job interview!
icedawg
January 15th, 2010
2:07 pm
We could really use some help along the defensive line. Gotta get a lot more pressure up front which can take some heat off of the DB’s. Hope this will bring a fresh approach to the D.
Terry
January 15th, 2010
2:09 pm
I can tell you right now Vol Nation is not happy with this if it does happen and There has not been a confirmation on his hiring.
Circus Act
January 15th, 2010
2:10 pm
Athens town is nothing but a bunch of freaking clowns. Takes 6 weeks to hire a DC. Tenn takes 3 days to hire a well respected up and coming coach in Derek Dooley.
Circus Act
January 15th, 2010
2:11 pm
terry….. its a done deal !
Smart Guy
January 15th, 2010
2:11 pm
I like him already. He is not delusional like most UGA Fans. He simply stated the obvious that Bulldog nation has been denying all along when he said “I am very excited about being part of a staff that will work tremendously hard to return Georgia football to one of the premier teams in the SEC.” So he is of the impression that Georgia is not currently one of the premier teams in the SEC. Well said.
Kippy Brown
January 15th, 2010
2:11 pm
Damn I am so excited about this interview today. I just know that this will be THE ONE that happens for me. I am always the groomsman never the groom but today just feels different.
Office Depot - Kingston Pike Branch
January 15th, 2010
2:13 pm
Hey Kippy your new business cards are ready. We have removed the “Interim” title from your cards. We are open until 9:00 PM today. Congratulations.
Where Is my Tanning Boothand Botox
January 15th, 2010
2:13 pm
Larry Munson was available.
smokey
January 15th, 2010
2:14 pm
And the beat downs goes on DA DA DA DA DA DA DA and the beat downs go on…… Hey Russ wanna come out and play ?
Terry
January 15th, 2010
2:16 pm
I have not read any were the Vol Nation has made it a done deal,and do not be delusional know one in Vol Nation is happy about this hire.
Terry
January 15th, 2010
2:20 pm
The Vol’s have six remaining people from Kiffins staff with at less 2 years remaining that is the reason David Cutcliffe did not take the coaching position. To much luggage for him.
CDAWG
January 15th, 2010
2:20 pm
Good job CMR, I was pulling for Grantham simply because of his NFL experience. Now maybe I can get back to work and quit worrying about the DC.
Does anyone know if any of the Vol commitments that de-committed are considering UGA?
Way to go UT if Derek is anything like his Dad you got a good guy. We can trash talk all we want to each other but we know everybody out there is jealous of the SEC!
Floundering Fox Hounds Batman!
January 15th, 2010
2:21 pm
wow VD has given Derek his blessings……..
Saint Augustine
January 15th, 2010
2:22 pm
Grantham = Irrevelant
T.O
January 15th, 2010
2:25 pm
Huge sign!! Great job CMR!!
Floundering Fox Hounds Batman!
January 15th, 2010
2:27 pm
Vols to announce their new head coach @ 5:00 pm ESTD ESPN reporting
Throw Money at the Problem and it may get worse
January 15th, 2010
2:28 pm
$750K? Are you kidding me? Can somebody in here tell me what he was making in Dallas? I doubt he was making $250K in Dallas. WTF? This guy better be good or even the deep pockets at UGA are gonna start to dry up eventually. I think its a good hire but thats a lot of money to cough up for a 5th or 6th choice.
Nick Satan
January 15th, 2010
2:29 pm
I recommended Derek Dooley to Tenn. Even Vince was surprised !!!!!!
middler and so tired of all the rhetoric :
January 15th, 2010
2:31 pm
Come on. What in the world is this man going to do for the university, whose purpose is to educate thousands of nonfootball playing students not really to serve as tryouts for the NFL? How many professors or scholarships could that $750,000 fund? Sometimes it seems like UGA is only there so GA can have an SEC team. We’re down on the banking industry; what has college football done for us lately!
Dawg Racer
January 15th, 2010
2:33 pm
With dooley at ut, Richt will beat them like a rented mule every year!!! With Florida way down next year, Georgia wins the SEC east easily!!! Mark it–Ga upsets bama for the SEC title!!!
Larry Munson
January 15th, 2010
2:33 pm
We just got hob nailed booted by a Dooley.
DawgBuzz
January 15th, 2010
2:40 pm
Wow, a number of the news media sites say Derek Dooley is the new UT coach. I know he’s Vince’s son but again, another under performer as a head coach for Tennessee?
Why all the venom?
January 15th, 2010
2:40 pm
Who cares which grads make more money, or who won the game last year or the year before that? UGA is currently the state champion and it’s up to my Jackets to improve themselves and reclaim that title next year. That being said, both schools did precisely what they needed to do: improve themselves at DC. Both schools are happy (mostly) with the hires, so what does it matter how much each of them were paid? The situations were totally different and each coach signed his DC according to his needs and abilities.
I think both schools took a step in the right direction and I look forward to the day when both of us can go into COFH undefeated (or at least highly ranked). That is the point in time when the UF, UA, USC, UT’s of the world will understand that football in Georgia is a force to be reckoned with.
We can still despise each other, but let’s hope that we both go into COFH at 11-0–isn’t that the best way to ruin a season?
Good luck to both with the hires.
oledawg
January 15th, 2010
2:46 pm
Anyone with a pulse. Yeah, but what a pulse!!
The man has already started our visceral juices for payback. Let’s be passionate and PATIENT while he adjusts his life and family.
SIC’EM DAWGS!!!
Kippy Brown
January 15th, 2010
2:46 pm
Anybody seen Mike Hamilton? I was suppose to see him today at 1 but his door was locked and the lights were off. If you see him tell him to give me a call.
John Duke
January 15th, 2010
2:48 pm
Welcome Coach Grantham. Let’s make sure that we keep Rodney Garner. He is a proven performer who has been extremely loyal.
Office Depot - Kingston Pike
January 15th, 2010
2:49 pm
Mr. Dooley your business cards will be ready at 8:00 PM tonight. Sorry we couldn’t have them sooner it takes that “Head Coach” in orange ink a while to dry properly.
WTF
January 15th, 2010
2:51 pm
Does anyone know what Grantham was making with the Cowboys? Guaranteed it was anything remotely close to $750K. That might be 3 times what he was making.
Draggin' Fly
January 15th, 2010
2:53 pm
Seems the prevailing view on the CDD prospective hire at TN is negative.
Comments on the govolsxtra blog like:
CincyOhVol writes:
“Its over. We officially suck.”
They’re still hoping it’s not a done deal. Cutcliff and Hamilton apparently couldn’t agree on assistant coaches.
gdawginkalamazoo
January 15th, 2010
2:55 pm
Dooley is one smart coach. UT would be lucky to have him. Count on that. Don’t look at his record at LaTech because they played roough schedules year in and year out.
Lumpkin Street Larry
January 15th, 2010
3:00 pm
The Hope Scholarship grants are down; tuition fees are up; classes are larger; fewer kids are getting into college because of costs; hard working men and women all over Georgia are out of work; cutbacks verywhere! And UGA pays a guy $750,000.00 to coach football. Something is effed up.