Contract extension likely for Mark Richt, but what about Todd Grantham?
Georgia head coach Mark Richt (L) and defensive coordinator Todd Grantham have proven to be a pretty effective tandem for the Bulldogs this season. (AJC photo by Brant Sanderlin)
ATHENS — It’s reasonable to assume — and we have to assume since Athletic Director Greg McGarity is reserving comment — that Georgia will extend the contract of head coach Mark Richt after the season if the Bulldogs get past Kentucky on Saturday to secure a spot in the SEC Championship Game.
Richt has only two years remaining on his agreement following this season and it would only seem logical that UGA would lengthen that by at least three or four years sometime after the season.
But there’s another contract matter with which the 15th-ranked Bulldogs are going to have to deal if the season continues to progress as it has.
The three-year contract that Todd Grantham signed to come to Georgia to coach its defense expires on Jan. 31, 2013. And while that’s still 14 months away, what the Bulldogs’ defensive coordinator has done on his side of the ball in Year Two has made him a pretty hot commodity.
So says Grantham’s agent, at least. Michael Harrison, an attorney out of Stevenson Ranch, Calif., said he has already “gotten inquiries” from some NFL teams about the possibility of his client returning to that league as a coordinator. Harrison also said he has “gotten feelers” indirectly from colleges gauging Grantham’s interest in becoming a head coach.
Grantham came to UGA from the Dallas Cowboys, where he coached linebackers, and he was a defensive coordinator for the Cleveland Browns before that. It’s Grantham’s stated desire to one day become a head coach — the buyout in his contract is waived if he does — and several college positions have already opened up. More will surely become available at the conclusion of the regular season, and Harrison expects Grantham to be a part of those conversations.
“Todd wants to be at Georgia, though,” Harrison insisted. “But we’d like to get an extension.”
Here’s the rub: McGarity is not likely to be keen on providing multi-year deals for assistant coaches. It’s something he never did in 18 years as Jeremy Foley’s right-hand man at Florida.
Georgia’s multi-year contract for Grantham was executed by former UGA Athletic Director Damon Evans, who previously also had not offered extended deals for assistants. Grantham is the among the top three highest-paid coordinators in college football at $750,000 a year, according to a survey by USA Today, and the only UGA assistant coach with a multi-year deal.
How McGarity might actually feel about the situation we have no way of knowing because he’s not willing to comment on it at this point.
“We don’t talk about anything like that during the season,” McGarity said Monday, referring to both Richt and Grantham. “Our full focus is on our players and our opponent and right now that is Kentucky. We’ll deal with all that after the season.”
Asked whether the decision on Grantham would ultimately be his, McGarity said, “the head coach makes decisions on his staff.” But you can be sure McGarity will have input.
This much is also certain: Georgia’s defense has looked a lot better under Grantham’s guidance. After Georgia’s 45-7 win over No. 20 Auburn this past Saturday, the Bulldogs (8-2, 6-1 SEC) moved up to No. 4 in the nation in total defense. They’re also No. 5 against the run, No. 5 against the pass and they lead the SEC in quarterback sacks and tackles for loss. The TD it allowed in the first quarter against the Tigers was just the ninth in the last eight games against the defense.
In fact, Georgia’s defense has improved significantly in national ranking in every category kept in Year Two of Grantham’s leadership.
2010—-Defensive category—–2011
24————-Total————-4
27————-Rush————-5
72———–Pass Eff. ———–5
34————Passing———-15
40————Scoring———-12
51————-TFLs———–10
52————-Sacks———–25
The improvement over 2009, before Grantham was defensive coordinator, is even more significant.
Of course, Grantham does not come without faults. He was roundly criticized for making choke signs at a Florida kicker as he prepared to make the game-winning kick against Georgia in overtime in 2010. And Grantham ended up in a shouting match with Vanderbilt head coach James Franklin at the end of the Vanderbilt game last month. Both incidents resulted in internal reprimands from UGA and certainly could be a factor in any job considerations going forward.
Harrison said he does not believe it will be an issue. “A lot of people want a coach with Todd’s fire and passion for the game,” he said.
Certainly it would be in Richt’s best interest to keep Grantham. Richt has spoken glowingly recently of his defense and its coordinator.
“It’s a lot more fun to coach when you’ve got a good defense and the guys are playing the way our guys are playing,” Richt said Saturday. “It makes up for a lot of deficiencies. It just kind of helps you iron some things out sometimes. . . . Todd studies defenses and offenses as well as anybody I’ve been around. He will have a plan and he will understand what needs to be done. But then he’ll try to make it as simple as possible for our guys. He understands tendencies, he understands formations and groups and when different guys are in the game. He knows the percentages and he’s got fire in his belly. He’s really doing a great job.”
So I put the question to you. Should the Bulldogs move to lock up Grantham as soon as they can for as long as they can? Or should Georgia remain guarded in their approach to long-term contracts?
– Chip Towers
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
882 comments Add your comment
someone who knows
November 14th, 2011
4:12 pm
richt will NEVER win a nc at uga…
TampaDawg
November 14th, 2011
4:13 pm
@All Saints … “a shameful scam that Mark Richt carries on today, almost thirty years later.”, you know, slander is a criminal act and defamation of character, which CMR’s character is one even other coaches speak highly of, is one you can be sued heavily for. I post this knowing you have as little evidence as you do guts to carry out a conversation to backup your BS statements.
mikeotm
November 14th, 2011
4:13 pm
He sold his lake house and has his current house up for sale hmmmmmm
Flat Tire on I-95 in Jacksonville
November 14th, 2011
4:14 pm
Delbert D
I was just saying that its not right that Mack Brown at Texas who demanded to get rid of the Big 12 Championship game especially after he almost lost his chance to play Bama in the NC after the missed field goal from Nebraska
He didnt want to have to play the extra game and now thats working in Oklahoma’s favor if they beat OK ST they will leapfrog and play for the NC. Just watch.
Yet every radio person is preaching about winning their conference. Well its not right that the Big 10, SEC, and Pac 12 play an extra championship game and risk losing but the Big 12 doesnt because typical chicken wimps whine box Texas dont want to man up and play a championship game.
Well they should not be allowed to leap frog and play if there is a one loss ACC champ, or Pac 12 or Big 10 champ
Hopefully that made sense
Joey
November 14th, 2011
4:15 pm
DawgInaTruck, I’ve fished the Altamaha extensively, from Baxley to Darrien, for bass. It is infested with flathead catfish – 30-40 pounders are not uncommon, which has hurt the bass and perch populations.
DawgGone1
November 14th, 2011
4:15 pm
@mikeotm
really…… and if so please tell me Mcgarity has already spoken with Kirby Smart. LOL
DawgInaTruck
November 14th, 2011
4:15 pm
@someone who knows
November 14th, 2011
3:59 pm
“jb…that was a bad, beaten-up auburn squad, softened up by the boys from baton rouge…”
—————————————————————-
Auburn played LSU on Oct. 22. After that they had Ole Miss and a bye week; effectively two weeks off. My gosh, how long does it take those boys to recover? LSU won 45-10, we won 45-7 and held Auburn to much fewer yards, first downs, etc. You know, those annoying stats that define how effective a team is or is not.
You should change your name to ’someone who doesn’t know’ because your own post proved you wrong. Remember this: Whe you keep your mouth shut only you know you are an idiot. When you start talking (posting, etc.) you prove it to the entire world.
The DawgNation
November 14th, 2011
4:15 pm
For heaven’s sakes give Todd Grantham a contract extension!!!!! He is an outstanding defensive coordinator. Grantham is very much appreciated by the DawgNation. We like him very much and we NEED him!
boots
November 14th, 2011
4:15 pm
Who wouldn’t love our defense and Grantham deserves a ton of credit. We should try to lock him up for a while. The state of college football has changed where this is expected. However, I don’t see CGM as a legitimate head coach for a Division-1 program at this point. He still gets too excited and he is not a huge fan of interacting with the fans. That is fine with me – as long as we win, who cares? – but it is not a set of good characteristics for a head coach. They need to be stable and good with people. With that said, he is very well paid, so I think we have been fair to him and will continue to be.
rhbDAWG1
November 14th, 2011
4:15 pm
I have seen many negative comments about how weak the schedule was/is this year. Last year’s schedule was arguably a little stronger but look at how much better the defense (and the whole team) has performed this year. When you lose to the teams you’re supposed to beat (last year) it’s fair to criticize the coach. When you beat the teams you’re supposed to beat (this year) the coach should get full credit for that also. I’ve been a Bulldog for 55 years and I remember the good ones (Coach Dooley and Coach Richt), the terrible one (Johnny Griffith) and the two mediocre ones (Very sorry to put a DGD in this category). Give CMR He?? when he deserves it and give him CREDIT when he earns it. He has earned it in spades in the past 8 games.
ugab
November 14th, 2011
4:17 pm
The coaches and players have stepped up to the plate this year. Grantham needs to be signed asap. It has been some nasty years under WM. BVG wasn’t that good to me as a DC. Bobo has proved to be just as good as any OC in the countrt. Coaching, discipline, and execution is what is winning ball games this year. Goo dawgs!! KEEP THE COACHES AND KEEP DOING IT THE GA WAY!!!
BigGAdawg
November 14th, 2011
4:18 pm
Give CTG an extended contract and a raise to boot. Back the frakking Brinks truck up to his door and unload. How many of us wanted that to happen with BVG? And look what happened when we did not get him locked down. I do NOT want to see Grantham across the field from us at another SEC school as their head coach and I do not want to see this program lose the momentum it has only so recently regained.
DawgInaTruck
November 14th, 2011
4:19 pm
Thanks Joey, I won’t mind helping to solve that problem a bit. I had heard that about the flatheads, and the way they are said to multiply can cause lingering problems for years. I hope in this case, people aren’t practicing catch and release.
Flat Tire on I-95 in Jacksonville
November 14th, 2011
4:20 pm
AltamahaDawg
I was wondering did you email my Mike Bobo my rants to Bobo friday?
I just wanted to know because that was the best play calling he has done since the 2007 FL game.
As I have ranted for such a long time; with our talent someone that can call plays, will allow us to win big
Would you do me a favor and email him back and ask him if he will keep that playbook from now on
Thanks
Flat Tire
LawDawg
November 14th, 2011
4:20 pm
Everyone realizes that only 1 team a year wins an NC and Richt is the only coach since 1982 to have a team in the top 5 at the end of the season (and he has done it 3 times).
Does everyone realize that pre-Richt, we were not even smelling a national championship? Other teams like TEN, MICH, FSU, and on and on also have no NCs since Richt has been at UGA and that all of those programs had been to the mountaintop a helluva a lot more recently than GA had? I can only assume people saying Richt should be fired because of no NC in ten years (which would include all but 8 coaches in the country) are either off their meds or teenagers.
I wish before commenting on here, you had to verify your age and IQ, because I believe that would knock out 90%+ of the comments.
LawDawg
November 14th, 2011
4:21 pm
*a Georgia team
TampaDawg
November 14th, 2011
4:21 pm
someone who knows
November 14th, 2011
4:08 pm
bigdawg…you can’t argue with stupid…
—————————
And you are a prime example of your own statement. Michael Dyer has chewed up most defenses all year yet UGA keeps him and McCalebb combined under 80. In fact, no one since Lattimore in week 2 (and talk about beaten up, UGA’s defense was missing it’s best player that week) has rushed for more than 100 yards. No QB has exceeded the 251 that Tyler Bray put up. To you haters, even if UGA faced Oregon, Stanford, Bama, OKState and Arkansas and shut them all down, you people would be complaining that they haven’t faced any good NFL offenses lately.
DawgInaTruck
November 14th, 2011
4:26 pm
You’re dead on Tampa.
TampaDawg
November 14th, 2011
4:28 pm
Choose one of these names instead; they make more sense for you:
someone who .. is clueless
someone who .. is ignorant
someone who .. doesn’t know
someone who .. is a troll
any combination thereof
TampaDawg
November 14th, 2011
4:30 pm
LawDawg hit a bullseye with that post. I guess the other coaches aren’t paid (and some players in a few universities) to go out and win the NC either.
Big Canoe
November 14th, 2011
4:31 pm
Just because something has, or has not, been done in the past in no reason to move forward to keep a valuable commodity. After all, some mighty sorry Professors have tenue!
AltamahaDawg
November 14th, 2011
4:32 pm
Actually, I think you are giving him way too much credit for that game. Pretty much same stuff they always run. But sure, I am certain he will be glad to know what a big fan you are of running Thomas behind the right guard now. We will just ignore that you called him a moron for doing it even one time in any previous game.
ole riche
November 14th, 2011
4:33 pm
i think you have to lock up grantham. He has produced great results and will continue to get better as he recruits players to fit the defense. Also, gotta hand it to Mark Richt for turning the team around from 0-2.
azdawg
November 14th, 2011
4:35 pm
TG’s performance has made him a marketable commodity as a HC. It’s only a matter of time before he does get picked up somewhere as a HC in college ball or a DC in the pros. I’d say he’s earned a nice pay hike and extended contract which hopefully will keep him around Athens for a while. He’ll attract good talent to GA and his defenses will get better and more competitive in the SEC.
If the D can stay healthy and win out remaining games our chances against what looks like LSU in the Dome get better with age. We ‘re not there yet but the dawgs are getting closer to the AL’s and LSU brand of defense. It’ll be really interesting to see how they compete w/an LSU running game.
AltamahaDawg
November 14th, 2011
4:36 pm
Not sure what it really matters what we did Saurday to somebody who bragged that they didn’t even care one way or the other if we lost to Auburn anyway.
short memories
November 14th, 2011
4:38 pm
UGA had a great game against Auburn. They had terrible games, no discipline, no clock management, continually surprised on special teams, among others in many, many other games. I hate to see the tizzy of one or two games make people forget the last 3-4 years. Typical manic/depressive behavior of many fans. The talent has been there all along, the coaching has not.
Flat Tire on I-95 in Jacksonville
November 14th, 2011
4:38 pm
AltamahaDawg
You almost got it but you forgot a few points/rants I made during the year
Wefinally ran more in the I-Formation 90% of the time Saturday. You heard me rant about that especially after the Boise game
We also threw more crossing pattern plays and deep slants instead of the garbage sideline pass
We also threw to Figgens which ended in a TD
Murray’s footwork was better and as I pointed out he wasnt keying in on one reciever the whole time when he dropped back to pass
dawgs01
November 14th, 2011
4:38 pm
Grantham is doing a fabulous job on defense and the whole team is feeding off that positive energy. Next year we will look like bama and lsu even though look at our starting lineup and even though some are young most of them will be in the NFL just like bama and lsu. Everyone knew year one would be tough and i expected this yr a little improvement and maybe year three would look like this yr so in my opinion he is ahead of schedule. The size of our defense is very impressive. Our safeties this yr are bigger than our linebackers we had 2008-2010. The linebackers are some of the best in the country and they are so young so next yr will be fun. i think Todd will make a great head coach but he is not ready yet so i think he stays here two or three more years if we reward him for all of his hard work.
I think Bobo is coming around too. I have been really hard on Bobo but i notice in the Tennessee game that he called a great game and then he got a little conservative bc we could have blown them out and i think Mark got in his ear about that. If you look at out offensive production the past three yrs we are averaging over 30 pts a game but the defense was awful so that made Bobo look bad plus he was predictable and got conservative when we got a 3 score lead and that let alot of teams come back on us but this defense will not allow that. I am not just saying Bobo is looking better bc of the Auburn game this yr he has been a lot less predictable and the past three games have been called about as good as you can call them. The Florida offensive game plan was great the players just did not start executing until after half time. Bobo cant catch and throw and pick up the blitzes. Mark threw Bobo into the fire at OC and i think it is starting to click for him and i think being around Todd and watching him prepare for games might have taught Bobo what it takes.
We played complete games against Auburn and NMS (which in the past we would have been flat after a big win) and when we do that we can hang with anyone. We have a championship defense that will be better next yr and our offense is one of the best in the SEC and next yr we will be very dangerous bc if Mark stays we land another great recruiting class the recruits are waiting to see what happens. I love the type of athletes that Todd is going after on defense. Ogletree, J Jones, Geathers, Jenkins, Boykin, Rambo, Williams, Robinson, Gillard, Tyson, Herrera and others will all be drafted. We dont lose much on defense this year either Boykin will be missed but we got some great corners waiting and Rambo might go pro early but again we have studs waiting to play safety bc corey more he is a linebacker playing safety. The Future looks pretty good got to keep Todd
short memories
November 14th, 2011
4:39 pm
Make Grantham head coach before somebody else does
boog
November 14th, 2011
4:45 pm
uh… yeah…no brainer. He is vital to our continued success. Because McGarity has never given multi year deals to assistants should not be a factor. There is a first time for everything and this would be it.
dawgfan6
November 14th, 2011
4:45 pm
Go Dawgs!!
AltamahaDawg
November 14th, 2011
4:45 pm
JOEY, DUDE! Did you not think that your extensive travels along the old man would be of some interest to me?
I can only assume that the flat heads are sitting in those holes devouring the very last of any traces of redbreast or white perch. Anyone not practicing catch and gut, feed the gators, needs to have thier jonboat taken away, right? I do think they provide a unique opportinity to catch a ginormous fish though.
I think I am going to watch my recorded episode of Survivorman for the 19th time tonight
Flat Tire on I-95 in Jacksonville
November 14th, 2011
4:45 pm
AltamahaDawg
I didnt brag about not caring. So dont exagerate.
I just didnt care because I knew if we won the contract talk for Richt would start up
Sorry Im still not drinking the kool-aid because Ive seen what this team is capable of doing only to lose to another team we shouldnt lose too
Richt in my opinion has to beat FL again win the east especially with the team that is coming back next year. Have a great season next year then lets talk contract extension
But Im not drinking the kool=aid after Saturdays win over Auburn
TampaDawg
November 14th, 2011
4:51 pm
short memories “I hate to see the tizzy of one or two games make people forget the last 3-4 years. Typical manic/depressive behavior of many fans. The talent has been there all along, the coaching has not.”
———-
I haven’t forgotten 2007 (4 years ago) with the 11-2 record and a Sugar Bowl win. I haven’t forgotten 2008 either at at 10-3 with big wins over LSU and Michigan State in the Citrus Bowl. 2009 was subpar at 8-5 but they did have nice wins over Auburn, SC and an upset over Tech on the road. No, I haven’t forgotten the last 3-4 years.
JK
November 14th, 2011
4:52 pm
What we should do is forget we even read this article. It is way too premature to discuss. In two months, open up this discussion on a blog again. Until then, forget about it.
Joey
November 14th, 2011
4:56 pm
More like catch and cook, DawgInaTruck!
ATL Fan
November 14th, 2011
4:57 pm
Wait until after the season to determine contract extensions. The Auburn victory was incredible but don’t make an impulse decision. Make it past the bowl game and then evaluate.
Football Insider
November 14th, 2011
4:59 pm
Well who knew a win over 1 ranked team would get you this? Richt has the easiest job in college football.
boboisroyalty
November 14th, 2011
4:59 pm
Come on Man…he is getting paid for what he is suppose to do. If he wins out from here then wins the SEC, then give him 3 more years. But don’t give him the bump just because he is a nice guy. Come on Man!
DawgInaTruck
November 14th, 2011
5:01 pm
What should be more important is that McGarity and Richt are on the same page, a situation that did not exisy while Damon Evans was AD. CMR had repeatedly requested additional funding for more S&C coaches but DE would not budge, creating tension between the two. Once Mcgarity came on board, that was the first significant improvement he made.
Hopefully, that serves as an example of things to come. CMR recently made the statement that he trusted Grantham so much he didn’t even bother to “walk down there” to him during games, etc. If the head coach has that kind of trust in his defensive coordinator (much like Dooley and Erk) and the head coach and the AD see eye on important matters, there shouldn’t be any trouble getting an extension done.
Flat Tire on I-95 in Jacksonville
November 14th, 2011
5:02 pm
TampaDawg
Beating Div II GT is not an upset my friend.
Sorry you might could say that if this was the early 1960’s
AltamahaDawg
November 14th, 2011
5:02 pm
Didn’t “brag”? You said it like it was a badge of honor. DOing the really hard work of the good fans by caring if we beat Auburn, while us dumb and lazy fans just wanted to win. Didn’t brag?…….my bad. Said it like it made you superior and above the rest of us. Certainly not a brag.
AltamahaDawg
November 14th, 2011
5:03 pm
sorry…..doing the hard work…..by NOT caring
Lee Corsico
November 14th, 2011
5:04 pm
So if he loses to Ga Tech & LSU (or Ala,or Ark.) in SEC Championship does he deserve a contract extension ? Probably not. So let’s wait until all the games are played before we get all jack-happy and give him an extension.
Flat Tire on I-95 in Jacksonville
November 14th, 2011
5:05 pm
ATL FAN
I say wait till after next season
No one is wanting to sweep Richt and Bobo up and take them to their school
Wait until after next season not after this easy season we have had
WHAT IN THE WORLD IS THE HURRY
TampaDawg
November 14th, 2011
5:06 pm
Flat Tire on I-95 in Jacksonville
November 14th, 2011
5:02 pm
TampaDawg
Beating Div II GT is not an upset my friend.
Sorry you might could say that if this was the early 1960’s
—————————
I hear ya, and as much as I hate to say it, they were #7 and on their own Bobby Dork stadium turf. I actually liked when they are ranked high and get beat down again. So yes, that’s an upset.
Jim
November 14th, 2011
5:09 pm
Grantham’s agent is doing what any good agent would do this time of the year. Planting seeds for a raise. Has anyone seen any of these offers or knows of any NFL team or college who’s contacted him about Grantham. Isn’t this like the sky is falling let’s make Grantham our Head Coach to keep him from leaving. I bet Richt, Grantham, and Bobo are having a good laugh about this. Any way when Richt leaves Bobo will be the next head coach.
ARdawg
November 14th, 2011
5:09 pm
Lee Corsico
Yes he would deserve said extension. If the season were over today, it could be argued that he did turn it around. Luckily we have likely 4 more games. Doesn’t hurt to bat it around some. Nothing is going to happen until the season is over. TG is a good one. It’s up to the admin to make him want to. As far as Richt, he has ran the gauntlet and came out on the other side. Winning the East any year is an achievement
DawgInaTruck
November 14th, 2011
5:11 pm
@Flat Tire on I-95 in Jacksonville
November 14th, 2011
5:05 pm
ATL FAN
I say wait till after next season
_______________________________
Flat Tire, in the fickle world of recruiting that is suicide. Every opponent out there will use that to tell recruits how unstable the situation at UGA is.
You can mark this down, though, and call me ten kinds of idiot if I’m wrong, but Mark Richt is not going anywhere. He never was, unless the wheels totally came off this season. Depsite the hysterical nature of blogs, he was simply never in hot water with the powers that be.
You can’t believe everything you read on the internet.
Joey
November 14th, 2011
5:12 pm
AD, I mentioned (wrote) about a year ago something to the effect that,” I love your river.” You didn’t respond . . .
I’m just a catch-and-release bass fisherman, mostly fish in local tournament trails, but the Altamaha is so low right now, we just have one at “Seaboard” occasionally now, when the tide is right.
Upriver, when the level is about 4 or 5 ft higher, it has some of the best bass fishing in the world, numbers-wise, according to pros who have fished it.
The flath heads are worrisome to me – they prey on small bass. The DNR is actively trying to get some control of this, but those 3-day catfish tournaments still bring incredible amounts of fish to the weigh-ins, so I think they are here to stay.