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
daddydog
November 14th, 2011
11:45 am
Extend CMR 2 or 3 more years. THen extend CTG thru the same year.
Bremen Dawg
November 14th, 2011
11:45 am
Extend Granthams contract at a base 1 million for 3 more years and up to another 1 million in bonuses if a National Championship happens. Extend Granthams first. If Mark Richts team goes to Altanta and wins or puts up a good fight then extend his. Extend Granthams now before we lose him and be right back to where we were.
gomdawg
November 14th, 2011
11:47 am
Would ya’ll please see who Alabama have played this year. How about Houston , DON’T TAKE THIS SEASON AWAY FROM THESE KIDS , WE CAN PLAY WITH ANYBODY IN THE NATION
Mike
November 14th, 2011
11:48 am
The Dawgs should definitely lock up Grantham and give Richt an extension. Make Grantham the highest paid assistant in college football if you have to. This man knows his stuff, and would be a huge asset to the program both on the field and in the revenue department. Having a legit defense is key to UGA football. This is not a school that wants to have to outscore teams nor is it good at it. We’ve been down this road with Van Gorder before. Lets not do it again with Grantham and let him get out of here.
GTBob
November 14th, 2011
11:49 am
Richt’s has beaten one team with a winning record in two years and that team is only going to finish 7-5. UGA fans want to give him a contract extension for this incredible achievement. Gotta love the age of low expectations.
Red Stick
November 14th, 2011
11:50 am
Big Wally Butts
November 14th, 2011
11:32 am
“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.”
So LSU is 10-0, after having beaten #3 Bama and #4 Oregon as well as these ranked teams at the time Miss St, West Virginia, Florida and Auburn, because Miles is lucky?
Could the same be said that the Dawgs were “lucky” to escape Nashville with a win? I don’t think so.
Your post makes no sense.
Geaux Tigers
Go SEC
Still@theKool-aidBAR
November 14th, 2011
11:51 am
DILex enjoy lunch.
GT=Loser
November 14th, 2011
11:52 am
CTG will be around for several more seasons. Nothing to worry about here. His attorney is just getting the most out for his client. BTW, CTG may be UGA’s next HC!
ARdawg
November 14th, 2011
11:52 am
Red Stick
Logic would dictate that certainly but, who would have thought Bama was still 3rd after losing to LSU? Okie ST, Oklahoma and Oregon seem to be gaining strength. It’s getting tedious and only those involved with it can explain it. I don’t see LSU losing to Ark but, if they did, many flies in the ointment and most won’t make sense
Vampire Bill
November 14th, 2011
11:53 am
Keep Grantham with a multi year deal and a pay raise. Offer him top consideration as HC should CMR decide to retire.
Larry
November 14th, 2011
11:54 am
Fire the entire staff and hire the fat ex Kansas coach !!! Just kidding.
gatormeat
November 14th, 2011
11:55 am
SSI
You are an idiot. We have a moron for a head coach and georgia is young and talented and we have nothing coming back.Georgia will own us for years if muschamp stays
Fletcher
November 14th, 2011
11:56 am
They better lock down CTG, been the best thing that’s happened to UGA in a while. If they don’t, then someone needs to look at who makes decisions.
Terry
November 14th, 2011
11:57 am
Boo Boo the Magnificent, Go back to the Florida Game and look at the stat’s Georgia’s Defense held Florida’s Offense to about the same, in passing and rushing as LSU and Bama.
RedandBlackDawg
November 14th, 2011
11:57 am
Spend what ever money is needed within reason to keep our DC. He is in the making of bringing back the junkyard DAWGS. The defense is playing with confidence and a fire in their belly. Their having played so well, has allowed the offense to progress and become pretty darn good also. UGA is probably not a BCS bowl team this year, but will get in a pretty good bowl game, and probably get a team that thinks UGA is easy and get their butts whopped.
GO DAWGS and GATA
ole yeller
November 14th, 2011
11:57 am
If Auburn’s “O” Coordinator “M” is worth a Million per year, then I think UGA “D” Coordinator ‘TG” is worth a Million per year. I don’t want to hear we don’t have the money. UGA is one of the most secure financial programs in the SEC. The fan’s have embraced the new look “D” and a change in leadership would be sucide for both head coach “MR” and athletic director “GM”. They can play politcs all they want by saying wait until the season is over. That fine, looks good in the press, but get off the money and pay the help what they are worth. It’s not going to break the bank. …NOTE… Give Coach “R” an extention but no more money is already making enough. The raise you would give coach “MR”. Take that and pay the assistance and give extentions where valid.. Coach “TG” is more than valid. I think Coach “MR” would be goog with that.
Sam Robards, Dawg Fan
November 14th, 2011
11:57 am
If they DON’T extend Grantham, but McGarrity’s a damn idiot. This team is where it is right now because of the defensive improvements implemented by Grantham.
KEEP HIM IN ATHENS. ‘Nuff said.
Go Dawgs!
cajdawg
November 14th, 2011
11:58 am
First let’s see the season play out. Not to be negative, but what if we lose to Tech, get blown out by LSU and don’t show up for the bowl game. Don’t forget this is the same team that started 0-2.
The defense looks loaded next year. I would think Grantham would stay next year and with back to back top-five defenses his potential head coaching job options improve.
TampaDawg
November 14th, 2011
11:58 am
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…
———————
Is that why so many transfer from schools when there have been coaching changes? It does matter to them, they want to play for the guys they were recruited by.
Western Kentucky offense better than the Crimson Updykes
November 14th, 2011
11:58 am
Bama’s offense is terrible and LSU can geaux to he**.
Teklova
November 14th, 2011
11:58 am
Still@theKool-aidBAR
I would rather have a bunch of drunk fans than get mugged and raped which is a daily occurence on that craphole you call a campus.
GT=Loser
November 14th, 2011
11:58 am
GTbobby: Got women? You sure do need them in your life right now. I know that you want UGA fans to feel bad for your lousy FB team with their three chin coach and high school offense but you will not get it here. Hope you are ready for a beat down this year to make 10-11 seasons of just whipping that little bumble bee. GT may be looking for new coach asap. The problem is nobody runs your O and the next coach could take years of recruiting to make it worth watching. BTW, Muschump, Dooley, and three chins are really working for the DAWGS you all just do not realize it yet. Funny the way it is when you think about it!
Alphare
November 14th, 2011
11:59 am
UGA, you are now the 4th best team in the SEC this year. Why don’t you lock up your coaches for a very long term since it’s not been this good for awhile? It’d be idiotic if you don’t.
Actually, you are the 5th best team if you count overall win/loss/tiebreaker, not simply conference records.
If your schedule includes BAMA/LSU this year, you are probably 8th best team in the SEC.
barneyfife
November 14th, 2011
11:59 am
Whoopdee freaking doo….Richt manages to take the SEC East by beating the worst teams in the Division in years. And they are talking contract extension?
Sam Robards, Dawg Fan
November 14th, 2011
12:00 pm
*”then” instead of “but.” Stupid grammar!
CRO-MAGNON MAN
November 14th, 2011
12:01 pm
Still@theKool-aidBAR:
Just another stupid fan, who never gives credit to anyone who achieves…and boy have the dogs achieved….Bobo dialing them up on offense, Grantham got a great group on defense, only suggestion would be a special teams coach who only does special teams….Now all of a sudden, everybody we beat is no good….what an idiot this guy is who works down at my local McDonalds…
Red Stick
November 14th, 2011
12:01 pm
AR, if Ark beats LSU and the others keep winning then I think the BCS rankings would be Ok St, Bama, Oregon and Arkansas. Ok St will have beaten OU which knocks them out of contention. It is possible that Ark could be 3rd and Oregon 4th. Nevertheless the Tide and Hogs would be within 5 places of each other and Tide would go to the SECCG.
You are right that a LSU loss to Ark creates a mess.
Yet it’s no given that even if LSU or Bama make it to the SECCG that they will beat UGA. If the Dawgs win that could lead to a Ok St-Oregon national title game.
Geaux Tigers
Go SEC
Ugadawg30
November 14th, 2011
12:01 pm
McGarity…..Do whatever it takes to keep Todd Grantham here and happy. If we need to hire a James Franklin look alike for Grantham to kick around just do it….This Defense is playing lights out.
The Truth
November 14th, 2011
12:01 pm
They deserve extensions and raises…get ‘er done!
PR
November 14th, 2011
12:01 pm
SUCK IT HATERS!
TampaDawg
November 14th, 2011
12:01 pm
I do believe I just read the greatest “gatormeat” post ever. I appreciate the sound reasoning in your post. SSI is still trying to convince fans on the other blog that the Dawgs “backed” into the SEC title game (and won both) in 02 and 05 despite the FACTS showing that it didn’t happen.
Conservative Football
November 14th, 2011
12:01 pm
I say we get rid of Grantham when he wants to leave and get Willie Martinez back in the fold. He is waiting to hug Mark Richt.
bwell
November 14th, 2011
12:02 pm
CMR and AD need to lock CG up for the long haul. I think Coach G really don’t want to go back to the NFL or be a head coach right now. I think he likes what is being created in Athens with his defense and the fact the defense is young and returning everyone except 3. Its a no brainier ti lock him up for the long haul. Now everyone wants him. Hands off! CMR and the AD GO AHEAD AND LOCK HIM UP FOR THE RECRUITS, FANS AND BULLDAWGNATION
Preston
November 14th, 2011
12:02 pm
PAY THE MAN! And sign him to a contract as long as CMR’s! Without him, we’re nothing. He’s got the defense playing like CBVG”S and it’s fun as hell to watch. We can actually start playing and competing for championships again with this guy running the defense so they better not let him get away!
Columbus Dawg
November 14th, 2011
12:02 pm
I’m actually quite pleased with where we are right now. I guess winning 8 in a row (soon to be 9 in a row) just doesn’t mean anything anymore. Man, the negativity and idoicy on these boards is laughable. BTW, South Carolina’s offense wasn’t special against UGA. The defense played pretty well in that game. UGA gave South Carolina 28 of its 45 points. As for the 50 post game arrests, big deal. If you read, the majority of arrests were for underaged drinking, and I can’t imagine that the 50 arrests didn’t include some Auburn folks. You figure there were over 100,000 people in town on Satuday, and 50 were arrested, half for underaged drinking. Who cares. Georgia returns most everyone next year, and should have a fine team. I am happy to have Mark Richt.
Spaceman Spiff
November 14th, 2011
12:02 pm
@ GTBob
Funny thing is, GT is our little whipping boy? How does it feel? If we were so bad, how does it make you feel to be beaten on a regular basis by a bad team?
whipe my gator
November 14th, 2011
12:03 pm
UF thanks for hiring CWM and not doing your homework! UGA loves it! You tried to put the C block on UGA and guess what you got? A really bad D cord for your head coach. Didn’t see UT put a fight to keep him huh?
PMC
November 14th, 2011
12:03 pm
This headline should be reversed….. Contract extension likely for Todd Grantham but what about Mark Richt?
Personally, I think they may have done their best coaching collectively in 5 years with this team. They have steadily improved all year long.
WDE
November 14th, 2011
12:03 pm
@Alphare we played who was on our schedule only a real moron holds that against us..oh yeah that really would be you and barneyfife .
Lowcountry Bulldawg
November 14th, 2011
12:04 pm
Hell I just love the young talent on the field. Hate all ya like but if we could sneak in and win the SEC this year it is pure gravy! This team is set up to really make a run over the next two-three years with the talebnt and depth on both sides of the ball. Rivals should be able to see the incredible talent UGA has on both sides of the ball.
Proud-Dawg
November 14th, 2011
12:05 pm
SSI Gator….see your fellow Gators response @11:55. Tells you all you need to know
Western Kentucky offense better than the Crimson Updykes
November 14th, 2011
12:05 pm
Do any of the douchenozzles, griping about UGA’s schedule, understand how the SEC scheduling system works?
Bartman
November 14th, 2011
12:07 pm
Keep Grantham, fire BOBO, and get an NFL Offense Coach in the system. This way we can recruit players that expect to go to the NFL, because they would already have NFL type experience. Using the 3 – 4 defense will allow us to go after great defensive players that want go directly into a Pittsburgh Steelers type defense. Now if we could only have that same feeling in the Offense as well.
P Envy
November 14th, 2011
12:07 pm
Love that UGA is going to the SECC game!
For the Haters and trolls you can go F yourself with a fine tooth comb over B’s!
dawgfacedboy
November 14th, 2011
12:07 pm
Sign him. Sign both of them. It should pretty obvious to everyone that there aren’t a lot of better options than Richt. In light of what’s going on at Penn St. it should make everyone even more thankful for Richt. Richt and Grantham can stay for another 10 years as far as I’m concerned.
kybodawg
November 14th, 2011
12:08 pm
not only grantham, but olovidotti, and secondary coach. never seen ga. d-backs play the ball like they do now. and what ever happened to the guy who was calling himself willie martinez. havent heard from him in a while. and to thomas brown who talks about ga.s weak schedule ala play 6 of the same teams ga. does plus they opened the season with kent st., north texas st. and i believe they have ga. sourthern this week. sounds like “weak teams” to me.
TAS
November 14th, 2011
12:11 pm
Well at 8amd 2 I think we should run them all out of town… The same fans that were on the dump Rickt bandwagon in Sept. were the same ones that left early on Saturday during one of the great UGA wins. I wish those dump Rickt supporters would finally shut the h— up and be glad we have got a great coaching staff…
Western Kentucky offense better than the Crimson Updykes
November 14th, 2011
12:11 pm
Glad UGA dodged the Benedict Muschump bullet.
Florida’s Gerry DiNardo.
TampaDawg
November 14th, 2011
12:11 pm
PR
November 14th, 2011
12:01 pm
SUCK IT HATERS!
—————-
LOL, plenty of them on here. They are running out of things to hate on, legitimate ones anyway.
LSU owns UA
November 14th, 2011
12:12 pm
Thats right bama is crying that they lost. I think that Saban has lost his touch and fire. He soon will be gone and LSU will continue to beat them old rednecks.