Big buyout ties Grantham to Dogs
Georgia obviously doesn’t want to be looking for a new defensive coordinator again anytime soon.
UGA’s three-year, $750,000-per-year deal with newly hired Todd Grantham would make it expensive for him to leave for anything other than a head-coaching job.
According to a memorandum of understanding signed by Grantham and UGA officials — a copy of which was obtained Tuesday by the AJC under the state’s Open Records Act — Grantham would owe Georgia more than $1 million if he were to resign within the next year for any reason other than to become an NFL or NCAA Division I head coach.
While he would be allowed to leave without penalty for such a head-coaching job, he would owe Georgia 75 percent of the amount remaining on his contract if he were to leave before Feb. 1, 2011, for any other reason, such as to take another coordinator job.
For example, if he were to resign in January 2011, he’d owe Georgia 75 percent of the approximately $1.5 million that would remain on his contract at that point – or approximately $1.125 million.
His buyout would decrease sharply later in the term of the contract.
If Grantham were to resign between Feb. 1, 2011, and Feb. 1, 2012, he’d owe UGA 20 percent of the amount remaining on the contract. If he were to quit after Feb. 1, 2012, he would owe UGA 15 percent of the remaining amount.
Other details in the memorandum:
– If Grantham is fired without cause by UGA, he would be paid all remaining base salary ($300,000 per year) and supplemental income ($450,000 per year) through Jan. 31, 2013.
– Like Georgia’s other assistant football coaches, Grantham will be eligible for a series of bonuses tied to his base salary and the team’s on-field performance. He’ll get 25 percent of his base salary if the Bulldogs win the BCS national-title game, 20 percent if they lose the BCS title game, 17 percent if they play in a BCS bowl other than the title game, 14 percent if they play in the Capital One Bowl, 10 percent if they play in the Outback, Chick-fil-A or Cotton Bowl, or 8 percent if they play in any other bowl. In addition, he’ll receive a bonus of 13 percent of his base salary if the Dogs win the SEC Championship Game, 6 percent if they lose the SEC title game, or 3.5 percent if they are SEC East co-champs but don’t play in the title game. The percentages in all of those bonuses are the same as in the contracts of Georgia’s other assistant coaches.
– He’ll be provided a car or a car allowance of $600 per month.
– He’ll receive up to $1,600 worth of clothes and shoes from Nike each year.
– He’ll be required to make eight promotional appearances or endorsements per year with payments to be retained by the Athletic Association. In addition, he’ll be required to make six unpaid appearances at Bulldog Club meetings or fund-raising events each year.
Georgia announced the hiring of Grantham on Friday as its new defensive coordinator. He has been an assistant coach in the NFL for the past 11 seasons, including the past two as the Dallas Cowboys’ defensive-line coach and the previous three as the Cleveland Browns’ defensive coordinator.
Grantham signed the memorandum of understanding on Thursday night. UGA President Michael Adams and athletics director Damon Evans signed it on Saturday.
In response to an open-records request for newly hired defensive-backs coach Scott Lakatos‘ contract, Georgia said no written documentation yet exists. (Lakatos will receive $180,000 under a one-year contract, UGA said Monday.) UGA also said there are no written documents pertaining to the offer of the DC job to Kirby Smart, who declined the position three days before Grantham accepted it.
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144 comments Add your comment
bamadawg
January 20th, 2010
9:45 am
Defense wins 3/4 games each season…I feel it Todd had been here our 8/5 season would have been 10/3, maybe 11/2…should have beat Kentucky, LSU and Okie State with a stout defense…yes, 11/2 would have been the mark with Todd…I feel it coming…Tenn. and Florida shuld really have been our only two losses…What say you?
NCDAWG
January 20th, 2010
9:55 am
Bama Dawg—–I think the LSU loss carried over to the Tennessee game…I will give Rocky Top credit, at the time UT was playing really good at the time……If UGA beats LSU I think the UT game will not be a blowout. I am glad Richt was willing to make changes. I hope he address the turnovers and penalties this offseason. UGA has a knack for committing penalties and the worst times.
Bob
January 20th, 2010
10:16 am
I hope that the new d-backs coach says something mean about blacks or gays, so the AJC will be able to run a headline: “Lakatos Intolerance”
South Georgia UGA Hick
January 20th, 2010
10:27 am
Man it is tuff livin’ down here in this hickish South Georgia.
Used to, I could get to work in ten minutes, but because
we have all these yankees moving in here, now it takes
twelve minutes.
Went on a great dove shoot this past weekend.
Today we’re playing golf after work at the VCC (without
a tee time).
Had lots of rain lately, really improved the duck hunting
at our little pond south of town.
Wasn’t it a couple of South Georgia QB’s that won the
last national championship and the Cotton Bowl against
Texas and alas lost the national championship game to
Penn State?
Oh, I got to go, got to meet all my buddies at the Gold
Plate for breakfast.
Shore wish I lived in Lanta, miss all the stuff ya’ll have
up ;there that we have to drive a couple of miles to git.
And by the way, congratulations on being nominated
the Number One Gay City in America.
Dawg Days
January 20th, 2010
10:29 am
Grantham will be the coach in waiting at that salary, figuring richt will get fired in a year or two for mediocre records. Dawg fans have had enough of minor bowls.
NCDAWG
January 20th, 2010
10:34 am
Travis Jones, Travis Jones, Travis Jones
But SHE said...
January 20th, 2010
10:41 am
What about Todd Grantham makes anyone think he’s worth this kind of jack? Is there previous successful experience has a DC that I’m missing somewhere?
But SHE said...
January 20th, 2010
10:42 am
*as*
Rob
January 20th, 2010
10:44 am
Minor point, I know, but I’m glad to see you know that the Georgia Open Records Act is one thing and the federal Freedom of Information Act is another. Not to name names, but others do not.
Bill
January 20th, 2010
10:46 am
Sounds like Richt has put his career at UGA in Grantham’s hands. Produce are Richt is gone. No more blame on defence, If Grantham don’t “geta” and UGA don’t win…its bye bye Richt. Good luck!
NCDAWG
January 20th, 2010
10:47 am
But SHE said:
I think Richt and UGA might have been desperate and that is what it took to get Grantham…….Some people will argue that the Defense was/has not been the only problem. They mention: Offensive Red Zone efficiency, Turnovers, and Penalties….I believe UGA will improve a lot on D…..Willie seemed over his head at times and it seemed to me he never made adjustments. I will agree with some people UGA needs to take care of the ball and cut down on the penalties.
Clusters' baby mama
January 20th, 2010
10:47 am
You know, that Sonny likes to make out like him and Jeff is a couple of angels. Well, they ain’t. Leastwise, Sonny ain’t. Where’s my check for the baby?
Mama Clusters
January 20th, 2010
10:49 am
You leave my baby alone, you gold digging hussy.
Curt Long
January 20th, 2010
10:51 am
Buyout for Grantham unless he gets a D-1 or NFL head coaching job???I think it’s a safe bet either one of those won’t happen. Grantham? Seriously, head coaching material? That’s like offering Grady Jackson a buyout unless he wants to become a gymnast.
Bill
January 20th, 2010
10:58 am
Thats cool…. Grady -gymnist! CURT LONG, I just happen to also agree.
Money Man
January 20th, 2010
11:13 am
Why did UGA pay Grantham, their 4th choice, $750,000, when he was only making $250,000 with the cowboys?? Did he suddenly become smarter and worth $500,000 more per year?? But, it’s taxpayer money–no big deal. There’s plenty more where that came from!!
Gratefuldawghead
January 20th, 2010
11:23 am
Money Man its Not Taxpayer money its DAWG FAN contribution money! DAWGS in the top 10 list for Forbes!
BigTimeTECHFan
January 20th, 2010
11:28 am
Good thing he signed before the Minnesota game, offer may have been less after that performance. I hear Dallas was going to replace him anyway.
SOUTH GA DAWG FAN
January 20th, 2010
11:33 am
118th !!!!! yes !!!!!!!!
dad gum only a day late I am getting better , just trying to lighten up all the hostility
NCDAWG
January 20th, 2010
11:52 am
Richt and Grantham; Hire Travis Jones
gadawgs
January 20th, 2010
11:59 am
Money Man…Taxpayers do not pay the salaries of the football coaches. The athletic association does which gets its money from boosters, tickets, bowl games etc…. And yes, I believe CTG will be well worth every penny of the 750.
how2fish
January 20th, 2010
12:15 pm
Dawg Days please head over and join Yellow Fuzz and Louie’s tickle pile.BigTimeTECHFan really where did you hear that in the tickle pile ? Hey if you don’t know sh** don’t say sh**.
Island Eagle
January 20th, 2010
12:31 pm
People you should support the school that you went to whether it be the highschool or college that you graduated from. uga’s stadium would be half-full if it was just graduates that came to the games. Some of you are so brainwashed to be uga fans that you are using all of your food stamps on tickets and donations.
Thirty-third
jefferson
January 20th, 2010
12:54 pm
Hope the ticket prices go up !!!!
Rebel Fan
January 20th, 2010
1:05 pm
I hope Grnatham works out for you guys. After seeing what Willie did to you guys was pathetic. I can understand Richt’s loyalty to a point. UGA did not want another “Tuberville” Incident – you know, tell people “i’m not going anywhere and haven’t been contaacted by another school.” Then, after your team’s last regular season game, you bolt for Auburn.
However, there comes a time when you have to “cut the cord” and let a guy go. Just one outside guys opinion but Martinez should have been gone after the 2008 season.
Rebel Fan
January 20th, 2010
1:06 pm
excuse me, Grantham
Richard Simmons
January 20th, 2010
1:52 pm
FIRSTTTTT!!! PICK ME, PICK ME! IM LIKE A PONY
SOOHSO
January 20th, 2010
2:12 pm
128th
Freddie G
January 20th, 2010
2:18 pm
I like the hiring of Todd Grantham, and I am so happy we did not get Kirby Smart. I am not sure what Kirby will do without Saban should he be on his own. Grantham was with Saban and worked with the likes of Dom Capers, Wade Phillips and other good NFL DC’s. Despite who is on the roster now things will defintely be better on the defensive side, with significant improvement expected in Grantham’s second year. His ties with the Cowboys makes the Bulldogs more relevant to Recruits, which could not be said of Willie Martinez. We can only hope that Coach Richt will hire a special teams coach soon. Mike Bobo is still there because it would be too much to be replacing both Coordinators at the same time. He has not done enough to warrant keeping him in that position, and if the offense does not do well the next couple seasons 2011 could be the end of Bobo as OC at Georgia.
Curt Long
January 20th, 2010
2:28 pm
I knew it would not take long for the “I am happy we did not get Kirby Smart” posts to appear. A couple of weeks ago when Pollack tweeted that “Smart to UGA was a done deal”, you assured us that SEC championships were on the horizon. Sooooo damn predictable.
Rabun Dawg
January 20th, 2010
2:31 pm
I happen to live in a small town and county, and although there are a number of UGA grads here, seems as though 90% of the autos here have a “G” on the front. Hey, that’s fine, they support the “flagship” school of the State of Ga. regardless of whether they went to school there or not. I had much rather see that old pick-up with a “G”, rather than any other letter. So, whoever brought up the idea that they should’nt be counted as fans, I say phooey on you! JMHO
heyberto
January 20th, 2010
3:44 pm
It certainly looks as if Damon and co. have confidence in Richt as well… at least for 3 more years.
Damn you SOOHSO
January 20th, 2010
3:51 pm
Damn you SOOHSO, damn you to hell, I was waiting for 128th
Grantham Rules!
January 20th, 2010
4:01 pm
A big time D coordinator like Grantham, who will be the best in the SEC, is the missing piece for UGA. With a great D in 2010, Georgia beats Florida, Tennessee and Tech easy—mark it down! Georgia will totally shut down florida’s spread with John Brantley, who will be running for his life from the Dawg pass rush! I can’t wait for that blowout over florida—I’ve already got the date of that game circled on my calendar.
dd
January 20th, 2010
4:29 pm
the first thing he should do is teach georgia football players to tackle like men and not like pansies, you want to be a wuss play soccer or figure skate, NO MORE HORSE COLLAR TACKLES! tackle like a man and legally, and not like a dirty, cowardly wimp anymore. no more tackling by the helmet, no more hitting the helmet, illegal hands to the face or face masking! be a football player or do something else with your life!
JMc12203
January 20th, 2010
5:49 pm
All I will say is that CMR must really think Grantham is going to want to run and hide after he sees how really irrevelent a team he just signed on with, and made it very herd for him to leave. Remember, Grantham stated that the puppies are not an elite team, and that means below Bama, the Gators, LSU, and possibly a couple of more.
Big L
January 20th, 2010
6:24 pm
okay , someone back on the first page defended atlant by saying it had low cost of living. Are you freakin kidding me? Air , is expensive in atlanta. Not to mention that it was reported in a magazine that Atlanta is the gayest city in America. Them’s just statistics. Atlanta has not one redeaming quality accept that it has Chick fil a bowl and SEC champ game and now the season kickoff game. As far as Atlanta goes, does anyone know a spell to raise Sherman? Where is he when you really need him?
138th
January 20th, 2010
7:12 pm
Sooooooo, GT’s O scheme is the option, which runs more east west than north, and UGA’s new D scheme is a 34, which puts more quicker athletes on the field. And Tech fans think they have a chance in the future because..???
139th
January 20th, 2010
7:15 pm
BTW, i’ve just wasted a few hours here at work reading NOT about UGA’s new defensive coaches, but more along the lines of Dawgs hating Dawgs, Techies hating Dawgs, Vols hating Gators, Gators hating Bammers, Bammers hating Barners, SEC homers hating Big12 homers. And some dude who doesn’t hate Osama Bin Laden???? Geez dude, life is too short to hate?? How about Hitler, is he evil enough to hate? Beat this for irrelevant comments!
Louie
January 20th, 2010
7:34 pm
How long before the doggies dump bo bo and his big time play calling?
That will be the next worm to turn in red-ville. cmr will be gone after next year.Look forward to another 7-5 BIG year and another low tier bowl game.
Will send you humpers a line from a WARM location.
STILL L M F A O
LAST
January 20th, 2010
8:53 pm
First!!!
AceDawg
January 21st, 2010
1:20 pm
UGA is at a crossroads in the Richt era, so if they feel good about Grantham, the strong compensation is understandable. If he delivers, it will also be well justified. If not, oh well, Richt will be gone too, and a whole new staff can roll in.
UGA Alumn
January 21st, 2010
11:02 pm
UGA DAWGZ is not a UGA fan! I guarantee you he is a techie trying to piss off people. I am a UGA Grad and it makes me extremely proud to see everyone supporting the school that I was lucky enough to attend. I love all my fellow bulldog fans; especially, the hicks from south Georgia. Go Dawgs
UGA Dawgs
January 26th, 2010
12:08 pm
Sorry UGA Alumn, but I did graduate from the University of Georgia, Class of 2007. I guess you must be proud of all the rednecks who constantly make the University look bad. Why do you think Tech fans make fun of us? Because most UGA fans do live in trailers and have GEDs. I know this isn’t the case once you get into Athens, but it’s hard not to make that assumption since most “fans” are missing teeth and work at Waffle House.