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
Dr. Morpheus
November 14th, 2011
2:28 pm
Larry Grantham has in the short span of two years established himself as the heart of the Dawgs coaching staff. We cannot allow him to go elsewhere. Period.
JB
November 14th, 2011
2:29 pm
Atlanta87………………Lex is a serious blogger who is on here to talk football and loves the Bulldogs. Getting attacked over and over got to him. He is a good guy with good insight on OUR program and does not venture to other SEC venues to talk “trash”, if you know what I mean………..
Terry
November 14th, 2011
2:30 pm
Auburn is ranked #24 in the BCS
Matthews Dawg
November 14th, 2011
2:31 pm
DawginLex….you can’t leave this week!! We play UK and that is in your backyard! We want to get some insight into what you know there. I personally read your blog, and agree with DawgInaTruck…that if it is long I don’t read it.
JB….I’ve tried to apologize twice now on page 6 and 7 but it comes at the end of the page and maybe it’s been missed. I stand corrected, sir!! Keep on the Dawgs!! Go Dawgs!!
JB
November 14th, 2011
2:32 pm
Atl 87…………I’m sure that staff at Auburn, including Trooper Taylor would urge Chisik to back off if the tables were reversed, everything being equal. I’m sure.
JB
November 14th, 2011
2:33 pm
Matthews Dawg…..Thanks, got it…………go DAWGS
Lowcountry Bulldawg
November 14th, 2011
2:33 pm
Yes Thomas Brown or buLLdawg or Mathew Ciafaro is the one who needs to leave….
WDE
November 14th, 2011
2:33 pm
@DawginLex well if your going good luck and Go Dogs ! Hope not for long Lex cause if you do your letting the turkeys win…but your choice been fun and myself and most of the Bull Dog Nation enjoys your posts.
YES!
November 14th, 2011
2:34 pm
Enter your comments here
Dawgs
November 14th, 2011
2:35 pm
Give them both raises
YES!
November 14th, 2011
2:35 pm
Lock him up long term. 180 degree turn around from when he came.
JB
November 14th, 2011
2:38 pm
Atl87………….also got an insight Sunday night reading the Birmingham News Blogs on stories written about the game from Saturday……….Seems most Auburn folks think the same of Gene and staff as we do.
me
November 14th, 2011
2:38 pm
I can WELL APPRECIATE it that you don’t want me posting your post where YOU SAID FIRE MARK RICHT, which you NOW HERE TODAY HAVE ADMITTED YOU INDEED WROTE.
Then, boy, (1) Don’t write it that Mark Richt should be fired if he loses to USCe this year (2) Don’t write posts calling ME the NAYSAYER, me the HATER, then, sir, you will not have to do what you JUST DID in saying “Yeah, I wrote that.”
After all, it is YOU who said FIRE MARK RICHT.
LkB
November 14th, 2011
2:39 pm
Both should get 3 year extensions.
ARdawg
November 14th, 2011
2:40 pm
Go ahead and pay him 2 mil a year. Make sure that any team wanting him is willing to pay
UGA BLOWS
November 14th, 2011
2:40 pm
Name a top offense UGA has played? Easy to be ranked high when you play crappy teams. Ask Boise!
JB
November 14th, 2011
2:44 pm
Florida won 2 nat’l titles playing 5 or 6 cupcakes per year. So
LHarding Dawg
November 14th, 2011
2:45 pm
UGA BLOWS – Which team do you pull for? Just asking!
VA DAWG
November 14th, 2011
2:46 pm
After the season (when contracts are historically negotiated) extend Richt to 5 years to cover recruits being recruited now and give CTG an extension out to 3 years (which was unheard of when he got this contract) and pay him $1 mil. Richt gets a modest increase with his extension for getting back to the SECCG, and a bigger increase if he wins that game. Plus all the assistants get significant increases and two year contracts and lets make one of them special teams coordinator for pete’s sake.
JB
November 14th, 2011
2:46 pm
LHarding………….you won’t get that info. all programs have holes, including his
JB
November 14th, 2011
2:48 pm
AU people are livid with Ted Roof as their DC and Malozone ( sp) getting over a million a year. Hard to go from NC to nat’l chumps in one year.
Slayer
November 14th, 2011
2:48 pm
LSU get ready we are going to kick your tails! The Dawgs are back!
JB
November 14th, 2011
2:50 pm
Bama has paid Saban over 10 million Dollars the last two years and haven’t sniffed the Dome to play for the SECC………
LHarding Dawg
November 14th, 2011
2:52 pm
Question: If Georgia beats Kentucky and plays in the SEC Championship game against an undefeated LSU. Will the SEC let a two loss Georgia team beat an undefeated LSU team knowing that the SEC could not play in the National Championship game for the 6th straight year?
Lowcountry Bulldawg
November 14th, 2011
2:53 pm
LSU by far has played the best schedule of any SEC team
Oregon
West Virginia
Alabama
Arkansas
Common Opponents
Ole Miss
Miss St
UT
Auburn
Florida
Kentucky
Alabama toughest games
Penn St
Arkansas
LSU
Common Opponents
Florida
Vandy
Ole Miss
UT
Miss St
Auburn
In years past UGA has had the gauntlet schedule so its about time UGA caught a scehdule break and no fan of UGA should have to defend the damn schedule.
So we have then played 6 common opponents and then 2-3 FBS schools. So in reality what seperated the schedule is at most one tough game? Schedule talk is B.S.
B'dawg
November 14th, 2011
2:53 pm
Who coaches Virginia Techs special teams?
BiggdawgK
November 14th, 2011
2:54 pm
Before the season started I said Georgia could lose the first two games and still manage to have a great year. I took some abuse especially on msg boards for sticking with that statement all season long. It was very gratifying to see UGA finally play a complete game
Jim
November 14th, 2011
2:55 pm
For Grantham to leave now would be counter productive as his defense is just coming together. Not only is there the possibility of him being looked at as a Head Coach but Bobo could also be tabbed for a head coaching position as well. While there has been a lot of calling for Bobo to be fired from people on these blogs The fact that he has recruited and the likes of Stafford, Green, Moreno, Duran, Murray, Figgins, Crowell, and Mitchell will make some of these schools take notice of him. The mistakes Grantham made in the choke sign and the words after the Vandy game a issues that were handled by the school and should be in the past. They should be reguarded as lessons in refinement and let it go as that. I think three more years at Georgia would raise Granthans stock as Head Coach material. Getting to Atlanta this year will tell if this team is for real or not and if they can play with the big boys as some folks put it.
UGA Insider
November 14th, 2011
2:56 pm
No extension for anyone until after the season ends. Hopefully that will be in January. That will give the staff an entire month to show recruits how stable the program is.
Everyone can thank me and McGarity for putting pressure on this staff to perform. Leaking Peterson rumors was brilliant however not my idea. Everone needs to understand how close CMR was to being let go on 9-12-2012. I’m glad McGarity is a cool, calm character.
ty ty football guru
November 14th, 2011
2:56 pm
UGA wins 5 against the softest SEC schedule around and you want to keep Grantham.
Please do!
JB
November 14th, 2011
2:56 pm
And when Florida won those two titles, they didn’t play a real game until about mid season……But they had Tebow, and that’s all anybody( ESPN) cared about. Beating up on Charleston Southern and Florida Atlantic etal bothered no one.
B'dawg
November 14th, 2011
2:57 pm
Then Alabama gets the nod because LSU lost to 2 LOSS TEAM. If Alabama runs the table.
duronimo
November 14th, 2011
2:57 pm
Sports is crazy. A player or coach can have momentary success in an otherwise mundane career and invariably they get to cash that in for big bucks. The Buffalo quarterback (Fitzgerald) has a few good games and “bam” ….. he gets 50 million. Why not just sit tight and see what next year … or even the next year brings. What’s the rush.
someone who knows
November 14th, 2011
2:57 pm
trolls are the only ones who make these blogs interesting…all you richt-lickers get on here with the stupid “we’ll beat LSu…we’d beat Bama, we’d beat the Packers if the game was in Athens” comments…stupid as sed dawg tards…easily, EASILY, the stupidest fan base in college football,,,tbrown is my hero…hang in there brother, i got your back against these redneck losers….
ga gator
November 14th, 2011
2:57 pm
As a house divided fan, I must say that Mike Bobo has done an excellent job this year and needs to be retained as does Grantham.
Sam
November 14th, 2011
2:58 pm
Why are they thinking about extending cmr already? He hasn’t won sec east yet. Even if they do win the east, they will get killed in the championship game by LSU. Until cmr can win a national championship, let him wait out another year
Troll Power Ratings
November 14th, 2011
2:58 pm
It takes a special order of troll to diligently record and archive past postings from the Bulldog faithful. Wow, you really caught ‘ol DawginLex, didn’t you? Dawgs have the most caring trolls in the country…aren’t we lucky?
NOBODYYOUKNOW
November 14th, 2011
2:58 pm
Good, CMR deserves a new contract extension. If he can pull his team back on a winning note like he has, after all the criticism and second guessing by so called FANS he should get a good salary increase also. And oh yea! keep a good attitude as he seems to always have. And lets remember my fellow fans, LSU is a very strong, well talented team, with very few weaknesses. But they can be had. GO DAWGS!
someone who knows
November 14th, 2011
2:59 pm
troll power ratings = idiot…
ARdawg
November 14th, 2011
2:59 pm
Grantham like anyone else in coaching is going where the money is at. It’s at Georgia but they have to show Georgia is willing.
JB
November 14th, 2011
3:00 pm
ty ty……………..true to some extent, But I will say that most on here, the press, the talking heads, the papers and everyone said week after week BEFORE our games that we would lose. Well, we didn’t. We will never prove to folks like you that we have a good team….so just keep on saying we’re gonna lose…………..It’s been 8 weeks.
DC
November 14th, 2011
3:01 pm
JB..we do not want Roof next year..but we all knew it was going to be a rough year for us…I think having a winning season compared to what everyone else had us projected at is a great year for AU. We will be honored to go to CFA bowl if offered..(most likely bowl game for AU).
Flat Tire on I-95 in Jacksonville
November 14th, 2011
3:01 pm
I just Love how in the article we have to bring up the choke garbage and Gratham arguing after the Vandy game
Lets make sure we tick him off and he leaves
Never is their hardly ever anything said about Mike Booboo’s poor play calling.
But we will be sure to run what Gratham did into the ground as if he really did anything at all but want to win and protect his players
Much more than Ive ever seen out of Richt and Booboo
JB
November 14th, 2011
3:04 pm
Grantham will have an NFL offer for DC after this year. We can pay him 1 mil……….Other than 1 or 2, that’s big money even for NFL. I doubt Van Gorder makes 1 mil. He may not make the 750,000 Grantham does now.
Lee Corsico
November 14th, 2011
3:04 pm
Not so fast my friend…. Let’s see if the Dawgs beat Ga Tech & win the SEC championship before Richt gets a contract extension…
ga gator
November 14th, 2011
3:04 pm
JB get your facts straignt moron, in 2008 UF played The Citadel while UGA played Ga Southern, in 2008 you played D2 Western KY while UF played no D2 teams.
DawgInaTruck
November 14th, 2011
3:06 pm
Hey Insider, where were those red pants you told us about last week? That was good stuff dude.
TheItalianDawg
November 14th, 2011
3:09 pm
Imagine this if Georgia beat LSU, then Georgia will play in the sugar bowl. LSU will play for NC (remember in 2004 Kstae beat Oklahoma in he big 12 CG and Oklahoma played for NC). but this will be the worse scenario for BAMA because they will play in the Capital one and Arkansas will go to the cotton bowl. South Carolina will go to the Outback and a 6-6 Florida will play in the Gator bowl, Auburn will play in Chick-FilA. The SEC sucks this year only 5 teams deserve to be in a bowl.
ga gator
November 14th, 2011
3:10 pm
If UGA beats LSU, LSU will NOT play in the NC game.
Lee Corsico
November 14th, 2011
3:11 pm
Everybody knows UGA’s schedule was weak after Boise & SC. Don’t hurt your arm patting Richt on his back yet. Tough teams & games lie ahead. Wait & see how UGA plays against better teams before you make a mistake and sign Richt to an extension.