UPDATED: McGarity meets with Grantham, SEC reviews confrontation at Vanderbilt
Georgia defensive coordinator Todd Grantham (R) confronts Vanderbilt head coach James Franklin after Franklin allegedly yelled at one of the Bulldogs' players at the end of Georgia's 33-28 win in Nashville on Saturday.
UPDATED WITH COMMENTS FROM VANDERBILT COACH JAMES FRANKLIN (1:33 P.M.) AND GREG McGARITY AT TOUCHDOWN CLUB OF ATLANTA MEETING (1:45 P.M) .
UPDATED WITH COMMENTS FROM TODD GRANTHAM (11:25 A.M.). . .
ATHENS — Georgia Athletic Director Greg McGarity has already met with defensive coordinator Todd Grantham regarding the postgame confrontation with Vanderbilt head coach James Franklin on Saturday and the Southeastern Conference is in the process of reviewing the incident.
McGarity, who was in Nashville on Saturday, said he discussed the situation with Georgia head coach Mark Richt by telephone on Sunday, then met with Grantham face-to-face at Butts-Mehre Heritage Hall early Monday morning. Meanwhile, both Georgia and Vanderbilt have been asked by SEC Commissioner Mike Slive to submit written reports to the league office for review.
“I spoke with the Commissioner earlier today and they are in a sort of fact-finding process now,” McGarity said. “We’ll submit a report either verbal or in writing. I’m sure Vandy will do the same and then, basically, we’ll see what happens at that point in time.”
As for his meeting with Grantham, McGarity said, “I’d just say those discussions will remain private, but I’ve addressed it with both Coach Richt and Coach Grantham. There were lessons to be learned here. Obviously the conduct that was displayed was not representative of how we want to conduct ourselves after a hard-fought game.”
Grantham and Franklin were caught on video in a heated, finger-pointing exchange immediately after Georgia’s 33-28 win over Vanderbilt had concluded. Moments before that, Franklin is observed yelling at Georgia safety Shawn Williams.
The Bulldogs were flagged three times for personal fouls in the game and, in one instance, it appears Georgia noseguard Kwame Geathers tries to punch a Vanderbilt player. But McGarity said UGA’s reports to the SEC will not address anything that took place during the game.
“The conference does that anyway,” he said. “That’s part of their normal, standard operating procedures where they’ll go through it. Each team submits plays to review and they review things without either team submitting them. That’s just basic standard operating procedure there, things that happen during the game. I’m sure they’ll review the clips and I’m sure they’ll review the personal fouls. They do that all the time. That’s part of their weekly tasks.”
SEC Associate Commissioner Charles Bloom confirmed the postgame confrontation is being investigated.
“The conference office is gathering information from all parties about the incident,” Bloom said via email. “Too early to comment on it.”
Bloom indicated the SEC might have a response by Tuesday.
Grantham, in his second season as the Bulldogs’ defensive coordinator, was reprimanded by UGA last year after directing a choke signs toward Florida kicker Chas Henry before he tried a game-winning field attempt in overtime.
Grantham told the AJC Monday morning he regretted his actions after Saturday’s game.
“First of all, I love my players and appreciate their hard work and investment in our program,” Grantham said. “I feel a responsibility and loyalty to protect and stand up for them. However, I feel it’s important to educate them in all areas of life. While my intentions were genuine, I feel it was unfortunate that things escalated to a confrontation. However, I’ll use it as a learning experience for myself as well as my players so that we all become better men.”
Meanwhile, Franklin was asked at his weekly news conference on Monday if he had followed up on the incident. He said he Richt talked via telephone about the situation on Sunday and indicated there had been some correspondence with the SEC office.
“We have a very, very talented commissioner and they’ll do their job and do what they think is right and we’re going to move forward,” Franklin said as video of his 1 p.m. news conference was streamed live via the school’s website. “I have tremendous respect for the University of Georgia, their history, their program, their coach. We had a hard fought battle with a lot of passion, with a lot of emotion. . . . Some things got a little bit out of hand and I know myself and Coach Richt — I don’t want to speak for him — would have liked for the game to have ended a little differently and been able to just walk off the field.”
Asked specifically if he had any personal regrets with the way he behaved at the end of the game, Franklin said: “I’m not a guy who really has a whole lot of regrets. I’m pretty calculated and pretty well thought out for the most part with the things I do. I am an emotional guy, as you guys know.”
Speaking to the Touchdown Club of Atlanta today, Greg McGarity had more to say about the matter:
“I think the whole story will come out at some point in time. Right now both institutions are basically filing a report to the Southeastern Conference office on really what happened from Todd’s standpoint and, I’m sure, from Coach Franklin’s standpoint. That will go to the commissioner, and then we’ll see where things go after that. But I don’t think there’s any question that . . . at the end of the day that’s not the way you want to end athletics competition. It’s kind of like Mark said after the game: ‘At the end of the game, you want to go over there and shake the opponent’s hand and move on to the next game.’
“I won’t get into specifics, but I think if you ask Todd if he had to do it over again, I think he definitely would do some things differently. I think that’s not the way you want to represent your institution on either side. At the end of the day, I think you’ll see that. But I know Todd is in the process of making a statement. We want to get ahead of this and deal with it up front to where there’s nothing out there that we need to be worrying about the rest of the week.
“It was kind of like we saw at the end of the NFL [49ers-Lions game] yesterday –- I think we had a situation there with a couple of coaches. Things get heated. There probably are a lot of things people would like to take back, but at the end of the day that’s not what needs to happen in college athletics. We need to talk about the student-athletes and what they did that day — and not reduce it to where things off the field are the topic of discussion during that day. So it’s something we’re really not proud of, and we’ll deal with it and learn from it and also teach our student athletes on the positives and negatives of situations like that.”
AJC reporter Tim Tucker contributed to this report.
|– Chip Towers and Tim Tucker
Tell us what you think about the site
Customer Care »
Vacation stops, manage subscriptions and more
AJC Services
Sections
Other Editions
Visitor Agreement | Privacy Statement
© 2013 The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
714 comments Add your comment
my old lady is from tenn go dawgs
October 17th, 2011
6:13 pm
Who cares we won its time for Florida.It is what it is.
TG = BR
October 17th, 2011
6:15 pm
Todd Grantham = Buddy Ryan
Those who play for him love him, but everyone else thinks otherwise…dress ‘em up, but you can’t take him to anyplace nice…LOL
David
October 17th, 2011
6:15 pm
When we play Vanderbilt up there in Nashville, things are not normal. One Georgia plays Tennessee a week before that stadium is huge. Everyone knows that. It feels like college football at its best in Knoxville. Georgia beats Tennessee this year. Then, I said this we better watch out for Vanderbilt. Now, who get fire up for Vanderbilt in football. Again, I am walking the campus in Vanderbilt, it just does not feel like a college football feel. I see a car show next to the baseball stadium, and I see no one really care if Vanderbilt wins or loses there. Their stadium is very small almost high school stadium small it has not change like the rest of the SEC stadium has. I sorry Vanderbilt, but it is Vanderbilt. During the game, Georgia miss FG’s, had a kick block at the end, cost some turnover on defensive; however, it just seem we could not lock up the game and it had to take a saving tackle off the block kick with 17 seconds left and our defensive had to play extra hard at the end to win the game. About what I saw after the game, was the players were greeting each other and usually both teams together would have a pray in the middle of field. I saw the Vandy head coach charging after some Georgia players who I believe were celebating the win after the game. Then I saw coaches from both sides argueing and trying to get their players off the field. Like, I said before it is Vanderbilt, I knew this was not going to be a normal game. For Georgia, let get ready for a very angry Florida Gators in a couple weeks!.
tripwire
October 17th, 2011
6:17 pm
Wait until the UF game,the Gators are already pizzed off from the Auburn game.T G will probably have a coronary occlusion drop his drawers and moon every one. He needs to be punished regardless of what Franklin did or did not do . He is supposed to be the adult and represents UGA.
Cheryl
October 17th, 2011
6:19 pm
Grantham is certifiably psychotic. Fire his ass now before he kills an innocent person.
Don Smith
October 17th, 2011
6:21 pm
Can we just get a new special teams coach? How many blunders can you make in a season? Have we set a record? Richt…………..the fake punt happened right in front of you……………….do you know how to take a time out?
T.
October 17th, 2011
6:22 pm
Cheryl
You got cookies in the oven.
Buclkead Bulldog
October 17th, 2011
6:25 pm
Mark PRicht – Why do you care so much about this topic? Did you go to or are a fan of Vandy or UF?
I coach 2
October 17th, 2011
6:27 pm
I’m a Gator fan, and a coach. An opposing coach once got into with one of my players…yells at one of my kids. I did the the same as your DC…gotta stand up for your players, no doubt.
rod
October 17th, 2011
6:30 pm
maybe the conduct between both coaches / schools / players were not at their best by games end – HOWEVER – theres been a fire missing for years at Georgia , coach richt is great but shows so little emotions – maybe if he’d get fired up on the field like grantham did our players might show us more upbeat playing and confidence . i say get over it none of this is worth taking to the next level – get ready for the swamp lizards – maybe – JUST MAYBE —– GRANTHAM MIGHT CAN LIGHT A FIRE UNDER RICHTS BUTT FOR THIS GAME .
T.
October 17th, 2011
6:31 pm
He needs to be punished regardless of what Franklin did or did not do
So Franklin gets a pass?Umm…He’s not responsible for his actions?Sounds like a Nerd hating on Georgia.
gt4ever
October 17th, 2011
6:33 pm
I coach 2,
Well,,,, YOU shouldn’t Coach…. You have NO business coaching! Period!
angry mangy mutt
October 17th, 2011
6:34 pm
@ I coach 2
Any coach who doesn’t should not be in that position. Too bad too many of these people do not understand that.
I coach 2
October 17th, 2011
6:34 pm
And I add, I’d take the punishment…gotta have your players back.
T.
October 17th, 2011
6:35 pm
I’m a Gator fan, and a coach. An opposing coach once got into with one of my players…yells at one of my kids. I did the the same as your DC…gotta stand up for your players, no doubt.
Hey Gator,good to hear the voice of reason coming from a
rival school,these Nerds from Tech who claim to be so brilliant are eat up with stupidity on this issue.
mark
October 17th, 2011
6:35 pm
we had a baseball coach here in Atlanta that would run out of that dugout like a Bulldog to defend his players and say a few choice words in the process and EVERYBODY wanted to play for him! I bet every player on that team will look at CTG alittle different and be glad he’s on their side, I know I would.That first day back at practice would be fun and I bet everybody has a little more bounce in their step
I coach 2
October 17th, 2011
6:37 pm
Sorry gt4ever,obviously you have never coached, and it looks like your DC did not on Saturday as well.
the seat just got a little warmer
October 17th, 2011
6:39 pm
uh huh…..saturday was just another piece of evidence to show what needs to happen….
anybody see what bama did to vandy?
anybody see what bama did to ole miss?
oh, i’m sorry. it’s not fair to compare a program that competes for national championships with UGA.
nor is it fair to compare St. mark to the great Satan.
funny how all the talk about “we’re better than ‘bama” got silent all of a sudden.
seems to be a little dry powder in everyone’s koolaide…….
the only team UGA bows up to is Vandy. That’s a sad commentary.
T.
October 17th, 2011
6:39 pm
CTG took up for his player,then Franklin balled faced lied about it in the press conference.
If all this pans out as truth Franklin should be fired,if
for no other reason than lying.
Planet Claire
October 17th, 2011
6:42 pm
Hello…these Tech goobers never played sports so their opionion is void!
Planet Claire
October 17th, 2011
6:42 pm
(sp.) opinion
mark
October 17th, 2011
6:42 pm
Cheryl, if thats true then we need to give him a raise, you ever heard of jack tatum? or utube dick butkas? learn the game darling
angry mangy mutt
October 17th, 2011
6:44 pm
It is clear here who has played the game and who has not. I hate seeing the card played almost as most as I hate the questioning of fan loyalty and the eight year olds posting “first”
As somebody who grew up a son of a coach, played behind enemy lines at a Florida football power plant, and developed knee problems I fully endorse our DC. Shooting for the knees is cheap and those who have played the game know sooner or later retaliation is coming.
In other words, in baseball if a pitcher slings a pitch with bad intentions, the favor will be returned. In boxing, if a fighter plays dirty and lets his gloves go low, an experience fighter eventually returns the proves he can do the same.
Grantham just landed a few recruits. Likely those recruits with a blue collar upbringing whose dads have an influence on where his kid is going.
Those who do not agree, keep your kids on the soccer field. Football will be too tough for them and you.
Mulberry Dawg
October 17th, 2011
6:45 pm
Franklin displayed a lot of class… All third. For a head coach to attack an opposing team’s player is inexcusable. I applaud TG for standing up for his player. Using the F Bomb was inappropriate and unfortunate and I think that McGarity has to deal with it and the SEC will fine TG for a doing the wrong thing for the right reason. Franklin did the wrong thing for the wrong reason. BIG difference.
angry mangy mutt
October 17th, 2011
6:46 pm
one day I will read what I type before I submit
Tally Ho
October 17th, 2011
6:46 pm
Bust em in the mouth CTG.
Tally Ho
October 17th, 2011
6:47 pm
Do the same for Muschamp, bust ‘em in the mouth
LoganvilleDAWG
October 17th, 2011
6:48 pm
All of you idiots that are sailing CTG down the river are the same ones that expect your child to have the 1st place trophy even though they came in last place. Alot of the people in this country are a bunch of lame, complaining whiners, it is really sad. All of you complaining probably suuport the protesters around the country. The said thing is that it happened in front of fans watching the game. Now all you want to do is complain about CTG being a bad coach/person. Our 1st DC under Coach Richt would have done the same thing, Coach Russell would have done the same thing.
Why can’t people quit complaing about everyone else & start looking at themselves… oh I forgot all of you are perfect!!!!
gt4ever
October 17th, 2011
6:48 pm
You sir are WRONG! I grew up with a dad who coached and have coached all my kids… He is turning over in his grave at some of the stuff going on…. I really hope you are kidding… Some of the posts on this and other blogs are PATHETIC, as yours is the epitome of what is wrong with some of the youth of today…. Good Grief it’s NO surprise that we have youth laughing in the face of authority with coaches like you leading….
gt4ever
October 17th, 2011
6:49 pm
and then there was angry mangy mutt…. Your IQ must match your waist size!
Tally Ho
October 17th, 2011
6:51 pm
Yeah, and Muschamp gets 10x worse on the Refs Saturday. I wish Grantham would have put that little A$ right on his back. That Vandy team went after the legs of Geathers throught the night. Cut block him on numerous occassions THAT is what the SEC should be reviewing.
Planet Claire
October 17th, 2011
6:51 pm
gt4ever = so how do you defend CPJ’s BS?
angry mangy mutt
October 17th, 2011
6:52 pm
@gt4ever
Is that directed at me or I coach 2?
Regardless a coach always has his player’s back, Always.
Tally Ho
October 17th, 2011
6:53 pm
Loganville dawg has it right, bunch of friggin pansies, raised in a pansy society where wheeeee…Everyone is special, and winners too!
@sportsguru95
October 17th, 2011
6:53 pm
In the end, the refs will get the blame! The officiating was horrible! They let some things go that shouldn’t have been allowed! They missed several chop blocking calls! That should not happen! Grantham was out of line, however I do understand! Did Franklin not shake CMR hand after the game? What happen 2 adressing it then? No1 is talking about that! Franklin should not go after a player aggressively either! Had he approached Grantham instead of Shawn Williams, things probably would have been a little better!
I coach 2
October 17th, 2011
6:54 pm
gt4ever…. not gonna make a comment, you sir are entitled to your opinion….. have a good one.
Nub
October 17th, 2011
6:55 pm
Long time season ticket holder…. I support CG! Vandy coach was wrong !…. Am feeeling better about FL…. Love the passion !!!!!
angry mangy mutt
October 17th, 2011
6:55 pm
Enter your comments here
Tally Ho
October 17th, 2011
6:58 pm
This Vandy bunch played Dirty all night. Just like CPJ line, they are good at destroying knees. THEY should be made to suspend Franklin for 3 games not for his ranting after the game, but him directing his players to cut block and go after Geathers knees. They did it all night long, and this stupid crew ignored it all night long.
I coach 2
October 17th, 2011
7:02 pm
First time I’ve agreed with any Dawgs!
Toccoa Dawg
October 17th, 2011
7:05 pm
What is becoming perfectly clear us Coach Grantham should be our head coach.
Toccoa Dawg
October 17th, 2011
7:05 pm
“is” not “us” sorry for the typo
tell me again
October 17th, 2011
7:06 pm
All of this is quite funny – every week you see Saban on the sideline using more cuss words than a drunk sailor aimed at everybody including his own players and no one is even slightly concerned. And now the SEC – great investigator of all things wrong with the conference – is investigating a midfield spat after a game. Talk about misplaced energy and focus. Stupid much?
angry mangy mutt
October 17th, 2011
7:06 pm
@gt4ever
How can you be so critical of another’s actions while you yourself lack the dignity to conduct yourself respectfully here. I know you are safe sitting there in front of your computer playing with your Star Wars action figures and insulting somebody you do not know. I assure you my IQ does not get questioned – not even by a couple of GT grads I hang around with. Heck, I even dated a Stanford grad who never questioned my intelligence. Perhaps they have all been too nice to say anything.
Toccoa Dawg
October 17th, 2011
7:07 pm
what also is becoming clear is the AJC writers need to eat some cheese to go with their “whine”
Toccoa Dawg
October 17th, 2011
7:09 pm
angry mutt, amen brotha preach on
Tom G
October 17th, 2011
7:14 pm
Get rid of Grantham, some of you people are out of your mind. You do rememeber that he was a coach with the Dallas Cowboys and he left to come to UGA and be with Coach Richt. He must have really wanted to come to us. Of course the $750,000 salary did not hurt too much either. Cut him some slack, he stood up for his guys, right or wrong, which is what leaders do. This is big boy football not cricket!!!!
Sam
October 17th, 2011
7:21 pm
SEC can’t do squat.
They let Fairley body slam UGA players last year, so have to let Jenkins & Williams this year.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6xljcMJxJZg&feature=related
Todd Grantham
October 17th, 2011
7:24 pm
I shoulda whooped him!
Intrepid
October 17th, 2011
7:27 pm
I am glad to see some fire in that defense! Reminds me of that junkyard alittle. Vandy and the rest of the country needs to understand one thing- ” This Dog don’t beg, this Dog don’t sit, its just a bad Dog!”