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
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882 comments Add your comment
Jim Ponzi
November 14th, 2011
11:20 am
Promise the Grantham guy millions to stay. Whatever it takes even though you might not have it.
ca dawg
November 14th, 2011
11:20 am
boo boo the magnificent and all the haters have been saying we’re going to get our “clocks cleaned next week” for the last 8 weeks. first it was MSU. then it was tyler bray and UT. then the “no way we beat florida” gang popped up. after being told we just barely beat a horrible UF team, we were informed that the barners would show us what time it was. after we beat them like a rented mule, now there’s no way we even stand a chance against LSU (not, btw, what LSU fans are saying at all).
time to face the fact that you were wrong, georgia is better than you thought, and that richt and bobo might not be complete imbeciles.
RanDawg
November 14th, 2011
11:20 am
-Sorry,but I think it’s too soon to be talking extensions….I’d wait till after 2012,esp. as far as Richt is concerned.We may live to regret early extensions now.
DawginLex
November 14th, 2011
11:21 am
Bobo is a DGD and is getting better as an OC.
It’s Richt’s call.
Bobo needs to be on the staff for his QB coaching and for his recruiting, especially down in S Ga.
i’m a big believer in stability if it is warranted because it is so rare these days.
sorry about calling you an idiot but not all the people arrested were Georgia folks
Matthews Dawg
November 14th, 2011
11:22 am
the kool-aid has tasted very good this year!! I think we will be drinking it for years to come. We are getting the depth and if we land big OL’s and DL’s, we will really be set. Go Dawgs!!
DawginLex
November 14th, 2011
11:23 am
Randawg
No one is getting an extension until after the season
If they are not done then, recruiting will take a big hit.
AltamahaDawg
November 14th, 2011
11:23 am
While co-ordinators get all the credit for turnaround, they also get all of the blame when things don’t go as well. And it does happen. Having assistants signed to multi-year deals is loaded with complication, not the very least, boxes in the HC with this and his other guys. Where do you draw the line?
That being said, I sure want to retain Grantham, but co-ordinators come and go and that will never change. The appropriate handling is keeping up with current salary expectations and having a “reasonable” contract term. Plus you can’t really force the issue, anyway. If somebody wants him, they all have the cash to do it, so if he wants to go, he will go. Would you really want him forced to stay (contractually) ?
Ironically, the actualy thing that will keep Grantham here is somehting that many fans have complained about ad-naseum……..Richt is a very good boss to work for.
dean
November 14th, 2011
11:24 am
Sign them and lock them down.
Note: If the attendance was 92,000 and 50 were busted for whatever, that equals .0005 (5 ten thousandths) of the attendance number. Take into account those who were just hanging out and I’d say that the number isn’t so bad in today’s society.
Matthews Dawg
November 14th, 2011
11:25 am
RanDawg…it’s about recruiting and we won’t get the “big one’s” if we don’t lock down CMR! He deserves it and it doesn’t matter who we have played, they are SEC teams and we have proven we can win games even when we don’t play as well as we would like. These are young kids for the most part and we are getting better weekly. I’m excited and love the kool-aid!! Go Dawgs!!
Dabo and "The REAL DREAM TEAM"
November 14th, 2011
11:25 am
UGA’s recruiting is overrated.
Still@theKool-aidBAR
November 14th, 2011
11:25 am
DiLex………….it doesn’t matter if Half were Auburn fans because that means the other 1/2 were UGA fan. I am saying it will not be good to bring that same attitude to Atlanta. The Cops or the Muggers will get you if you are drunk and stupid. You sure a little testy after UGA’s big win. Slow down there cowboy.
Jeremy Wallace
November 14th, 2011
11:26 am
I couldn’t care less about him making a choke sign to the florida kicker last year.That was completely overblown.It’s not like there isn’t an alternate definition of choking(i.e. to completely mess up on a play) which is clearly what CTG (and everyone in dawgnation!) wanted to happen to the gayturd kicker. Acting like he really wanted to wrap his hands around the guys throat is just another instance if bs if you ask me. Also,Thomas Brown, get a life or a different team please! The horse your beating is way dead.
ARdawg
November 14th, 2011
11:26 am
Matthews Dawg
In the event of that particular 3-way tie, the highest ranked in the BCS poll will win the division
RxDawg
November 14th, 2011
11:27 am
Of course they should lock him up. Our D has turned around amazingly in his second year. But such is the way it goes when your successful. Everyone tries to hire you coordinators.
What its worth
November 14th, 2011
11:27 am
The ONLY thing that would make me question the hiring of McGarity is if he does not give Grantham a raise and extension. He has turned this defense into a great one and he deserves credit for doing it in the face of unwarranted criticism for his other actions. Those incidents were laughable in light of the actions of coaches and players today (See Will Muschamp’s anger; Nick Saban’s lack of integrity, Penn State; Ohio State; etc.)
GTBob
November 14th, 2011
11:28 am
Richt and Grantham should probably thank the SEC for giving them a schedule that makes them look like better coaches then they are.
TampaDawg
November 14th, 2011
11:28 am
Boo Boo the Magnificent
November 14th, 2011
11:10 am
All of these clowns and kool aid drinkers have been fooled once again by one game. Dont be surprised if UGA comes out very flat against Kentucky. UGA will get its clock cleaned in the dome in a few weeks.
————————————
Fooled by one game? LSU’s defense wasn’t as dominating against AU as Georgia’s was. There’s your one game. We keep hearing the one game crap week after week.
7576DAWG
November 14th, 2011
11:28 am
I think that signing Grantham to a 3 to 5 year extension is just as important as signing CMR. He coached in the NFL for 11 years and was used to dealing with men. Nothing Grantham has done deserves a reprimand in my opinion because we are coaching 18 to 24 year old young men not 7 year old kid’s, they can handle it. It took him a while to learn what is acceptable and not but anybody that show’s unconditional support like he did when he took up for his player against the Vanderbilt coach has my vote and complete support. The money contributors at Georgia who control everything need’s to get behind Grantham with a long term extension. His agent has already stated that Grantham would like an extension and a lot of great recruit’s on defense are showing a lot of interest. We don’t need to blow it again like we did with Van Gorder.
1eyedJack
November 14th, 2011
11:28 am
50 were arrested after the game, which is about the number of GnaTs fans that will show up on the 26th.
vdunkndunk
November 14th, 2011
11:29 am
Extend both Richt and Grantham as soon as possible so they can finish strong in recruiting this year.
McDawg
November 14th, 2011
11:30 am
at least 2 yrs for TG
chris
November 14th, 2011
11:31 am
Best Defense UGA has had in as long as I can remember. Perhaps even back to the Erk days. When you have someone doing the job he is doing with our players, you have got to make sure he stays on your sideline.
DawginLex
November 14th, 2011
11:31 am
kool aid
You come on the UGA blog and tell us to not bring the same attitude to Atlanta and I need to calm down???
Plus I apologized or did you not read that far?????
You need to go away or comment on the topic at hand.
You are a primary example of why we need an IGNORE BUTTON on these blogs
Comment on the topic at hand or shutup
simple enough?
What its worth
November 14th, 2011
11:31 am
Good old GTBob, needs to get a life! Maybe he and TampaDawg could hang out together and talk about knitting. They know about as much about that as they do football.
Red Stick
November 14th, 2011
11:32 am
Matthews Dawg,
If Arkansas beats LSU and there is a three way tie with Bama, then if 2 of the highest ranked teams are within 5 places in the BCS, then the tiebreaker is the head to head among the 2 schools.
There is no doubt that Bama and Arkansas would be within 5 spots of each other in this scenario.
My guess is that Bama and Arkansas would jump LSU in the BCS and thus Bama goes to the SECCG based on the Tide steamrolling the Hogs back in September.
LSU can not afford to lose to Arkansas at this point if the Tigers want to keep their national title hopes alive.
Geaux Tigers
Go SEC
McDawg
November 14th, 2011
11:32 am
short of the Sugar Bowl-i would love to play Clemson in the Chick Fila
Big Wally Butts
November 14th, 2011
11:32 am
Oh, for cryin’ out loud. I have never seen a collections of idiots as this blog. It seems that no matter what the coaches do, they are not good enough. If UGA wins, it’s because the other team (which was good before the game) is weak and a cupcake. It cannot be because this young team has gotten better as the season rolls along, largely due to being “coached up”. If fans get arrested for misconduct after the biggest game Georgia has played this year (arguably), who can blame them for celebrating, other that the AJC. Why is that newsworthy? It was a huge win for the program.
And finally, if UGA plays like they did on Saturday, I think that they match up well with LSU or Bama, and frankly, I think that Bama has the best team and Miles has a four leaf clover up his bum. Make any of those kicks and no OT in that game. I would rather see them play LSU, thank you very much.
You Ain't-Know Gaily Whacker
November 14th, 2011
11:32 am
RanDawg is right. Georgia has won only one quality game, if Auburn 6-4 is a quality win. They haven’t won any significant game.
Wait until next year for extensions.
Saban
November 14th, 2011
11:32 am
Give Richt what he wants so I can keep raiding the state of Georgia and Richt can keep pulling his stupid gimmicks.
J-Dawg
November 14th, 2011
11:33 am
I am now fully convinced that “Thomas Brown” is no more a Bulldog than Paul Johnson. He must be a plant to do any and everything he can to try to disrupt a very good Bulldog program. Funny, isn’t it, how his constant ranting and raving during this season has now made him look like a complete fool. We will all be glad when “Thomas” finally decides to go back to his GA Tech or University of FL hole in the ground and keep his great ideas to himself. I will personally not evenb read any more of his comments. Of course, he will then change his name on the blog. I’m sure we’ll figure out very quickly that it’s the same ole “Thomas”.
DawginLex
November 14th, 2011
11:33 am
Shutup Saban you Tech idiot
We all know your game.
just a fan
November 14th, 2011
11:35 am
Lock him down we will only have CTG for 2-3 more years before he goes back to the NFL as a DC or on to a head coaching job somewhere else pay him. His Defense is one of the main reasons we have been winning this season.
B'dawg
November 14th, 2011
11:36 am
I dont care how much talent we have, we lose Grantham its over. He has been the difference this year hands down. Bump his pay to show him how much hes needed and wanted in Athens. Nobody else out there even seems to compare to TG. If we let him sail, it will be a sad day in Athens. You all saw how long it took after we let Vna Gorder go. So I ask you, Do you wanna go through that crap again? I hope not!!
RamboDog
November 14th, 2011
11:36 am
Still@theKool-aidBAR
November 14th, 2011
11:14 am
Don’t be a fool, if UGA fans don’t come to your little stadium, you will miss your chance for a “sell out” this year. This can make or break your whole year, GT grads and students don’t support the team because they are busy playing with each other.
Matthews Dawg
November 14th, 2011
11:36 am
AR Dawg…..thank you very much! Then i would think it would be Bama
Red Stick
November 14th, 2011
11:37 am
The tiebreaker becomes a mute point if LSU beats Ole Miss and Ark loses to Miss State this weekend. LSU wins the west even if they lose to the Hogs.
Of course it’s highly unlikely that State beats Arkansas on the road.
Geaux Tigers
Go SEC
SOUTHGADAWG88
November 14th, 2011
11:37 am
Thomas Brown and the other GT trolls won’t have much to say in a couple of weeks.
gomdawg
November 14th, 2011
11:38 am
Georgia has been lucky to have CMR ( 20 YRS ) and Todd is a diamond please what ever we have to do PLEASE DON’T LET HIM GET AWAY
Gregg
November 14th, 2011
11:38 am
I have confidence in McGarity. Personally, I would offer multi-year contract.
Matthews Dawg
November 14th, 2011
11:39 am
Red Stick….thank you also! A little more detail. Go Dawgs and beat UK!
ARdawg
November 14th, 2011
11:39 am
Red stick
I was reading somewhere that the scenario you mention is “line 7″ of the tie breaker. If Arkansas beats LSU, Arkansas likely wouldn’t move up far and LSU could fall far effectively leaving Bama on top, 5 spots away from either. This would negate the line 7 tie breaker
RanDawg
November 14th, 2011
11:39 am
-Recruits don’t look at contracts;they know coaches come and go regardless of what’s on paper…so giving early extensions to impress them is foolish.Wait till the end of 2012.They will both stay till then.
B'dawg
November 14th, 2011
11:39 am
I think Thomas Brown is GTBOB’s 2nd personality.
ToccoaDawg
November 14th, 2011
11:40 am
Give CTG what ever it takes to keep him. We haven’t seen a Defense like this since ERK. The Players will give 400% for this guy. Pay him what ever it takes to keep him.
Red Stick
November 14th, 2011
11:40 am
ARdawg
November 14th, 2011
11:26 am
“Matthews Dawg
In the event of that particular 3-way tie, the highest ranked in the BCS poll will win the division”
AR, the highest BCS does win the tiebreaker but only if more than 5 spots separates the 2 schools of the 3 with the highest BCS rankings.
See my post at 11:32.
NHS DAWG
November 14th, 2011
11:43 am
BETTER SIGN HIM
JDawg1785
November 14th, 2011
11:43 am
Give him everything he wants to stay at Georgia! CTG is an incredible asset and deserves a ton of credit for the remarkable turnaround that CMR has put together this season.
Red Stick
November 14th, 2011
11:44 am
AR, Arkansas is 6th in the BCS and Bama is 3rd. You don’t think both Bama and Arkansas would move up if the Hogs beat LSU? Even moving up one spot puts them within 5 spots of each other.
They are within 2 places of each other now.
AltamahaDawg
November 14th, 2011
11:44 am
Folks…….The AD is not going to let Grantham walk away for lack of an appropriate contract. Relax! Grantham’s sort term and long term stability rest with Richt and he full well knows where he stands there.
DawginLex
November 14th, 2011
11:45 am
i don’t drink and neither does my wife or kids.
I can’t help the idiots who get arrested.
The blog topic is about our coaches and i want them to stay.
Going to lunch. Later