Georgia’s Todd Grantham focusing on Kentucky, not contract extension
ATHENS — Georgia defensive coordinator Todd Grantham said Tuesday he’s focusing on nothing this week but preparing his unit for Kentucky’s offense and leaving contract negotiations to his agent.
Grantham has 14 months remaining on a three-year contract he signed to become Georgia’s defensive coordinator in January of 2010. His annual salary of $750,000 ranks among the highest in the country for assistant coaches.
Grantham’s agent/attorney, Michael Harrison of Stevenson Ranch, Calif., told the AJC on Sunday that Grantham wants a contract extension. Harrison said he has already “gotten inquiries” from some NFL teams about the possibility of Grantham returning to that league and that he has “gotten feelers” indirectly from colleges gauging Grantham’s interest in becoming a head coach. Ultimately, however, he said Grantham wants to remain in Athens.
Grantham was asked about his agent’s comments on Tuesday.
“You hire people to do a job for you and I let him handle that part of it,” he said. “My focus is on getting the defense to play well and getting us ready for the Kentucky game and getting ready to win the SEC East, truthfully.”
Grantham’s defense has climbed to No. 4 in the nation statistically as the Bulldogs have won eight straight games. A win over Kentucky on Saturday will clinch a berth in the Dec. 3 SEC Championship Game in the Georgia Dome.
Grantham, 45, admitted he would like to become a head coach one day. But he said playing in the title game is dominating his thoughts at the moment.
“I think everyone wants to become a head coach,” he said. “First of all, I have a very good job. I was excited to come here because of the vision I had about what I felt you could do with the type of players you can get at the University of Georgia. I’m very excited to be here. Truthfully, I just focus on every situation that’s coming up. For instance, after I leave here I’m going to a third-down meeting to figure out how we’re going to get off the field on third down and then what we’re going to have to do to win the game this week.
“We’re in a championship game this week. There’s a lot of time, energy and study that has to go into each week that honestly you don’t have time to focus on anything like that. You just focus on the next task at hand.”
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323 comments Add your comment
Flat Tire on I-95 in Jacksonville
November 16th, 2011
1:04 pm
Again your example is just how a typical fan acts about his team when something truthful is brought up that is negative; that this whine box generation calls bashing now
I guess when your boss tells you your not meeting company requirements or numbers he is bashing you
WOW
This milk toast generation of “me me me” and “dont hurt my self esteem” is something else
Flat Tire on I-95 in Jacksonville
November 16th, 2011
1:09 pm
Tampa Dawg
Spaceman Spiff
Altamaha
All 3 of you need to write president of the AJC and have Bill King removed from the UGA site since under your opinion he has been bashing the program for years when he gives a negative opinion about UGA
Starting with the Uniforms as he didnt like them so he is a basher under ya’lls requirements
Spaceman Spiff
November 16th, 2011
1:10 pm
@ Flat Tire
Do you think that negatively speaking about the coach/team/offense/water girl/whatever has a good impact on a teams psyche?
Spaceman Spiff
November 16th, 2011
1:11 pm
@ Flat Tire
He works for AJC, doesn’t he? Enough said…
True Dawg Fan
November 16th, 2011
1:11 pm
I see flat tire is here giving life advice again.
Dont bother with this idiot he cant understand simple economics either. Complete waste of time to even prove a point to him bc he doesnt recognize others points.
Its ok Flat tire, someone will be along to fix the flat to your short bus so you can get to school. Dont forget your helmet!
Spaceman Spiff
November 16th, 2011
1:13 pm
I dropped the ball on King, somehow the thought of Shultze (sp) entered my mind.
Doyle Rainey lives
November 16th, 2011
1:14 pm
CMR, CMB, and CBM should all chip to make sure TG is happy. After all he saved their jobs, and CMB would be coaching high school if he ever has to leave UGA. Pay the man!
Chip Towers
November 16th, 2011
1:15 pm
To be perfectly clear:
Todd Grantham’s agent, attorney Michael Harrison of Stevenson Ranch, Calif., sent me an email last week out of the blue asking me to call him. I had an initial conversation with him this past Thursday and he asked me to call him back on Sunday after the Auburn, which I did. I’d never heard of him before and did not have his number until he provided it. I called and asked him what he wanted. The stories you’ve seen since are a result of those conversations.
True Dawg Fan
November 16th, 2011
1:17 pm
So if thats the case Chip do you think they are trying to pressure UGA into signing him longer than year by year or for more money?
59bulldawg
November 16th, 2011
1:18 pm
You know the two groups of Georgia fans that bloggers have labeled “Kool-Aid Drinkers” and “Bashers” all want the same thing . . . a smart and “tough as nails” winning football team in Athens. Personally, as long as it’s fair, I see nothing wrong with holding Richt or any coach accountable when he or his staff should be doing a better job as long as we are willing to give them credit when they do well. Not every complaint is baseless and not every defense of the status quo is mindless. Nothing focuses the mind like a little bit of pressure. So far this year, after a rough start, Richt seems to have used the criticism to get better as a staff and the team has responded. And in the end that’s all any of us in Bulldawg Nation could have asked for.
True Dawg Fan
November 16th, 2011
1:25 pm
By the way Flat Tire, its ok for us real fans to critize the team bc we dont jump on and off the bandwagon every other game like you do.
We critize the team on what they can improve on, where as you just want to clean house and rid ourselves of the enitre coaching staff.
How about this, you just find another team to cheer for. I hear the Jackets could use some more fans to try and fill Bobby Dodd.
True Dawg Fan
November 16th, 2011
1:26 pm
59bulldawg
November 16th, 2011
1:18 pm
You know the two groups of Georgia fans that bloggers have labeled “Kool-Aid Drinkers” and “Bashers” all want the same thing . . . a smart and “tough as nails” winning football team in Athens. Personally, as long as it’s fair, I see nothing wrong with holding Richt or any coach accountable when he or his staff should be doing a better job as long as we are willing to give them credit when they do well. Not every complaint is baseless and not every defense of the status quo is mindless. Nothing focuses the mind like a little bit of pressure. So far this year, after a rough start, Richt seems to have used the criticism to get better as a staff and the team has responded. And in the end that’s all any of us in Bulldawg Nation could have asked for.
Amen
Flat Tire on I-95 in Jacksonville
November 16th, 2011
1:30 pm
True Dawg Fan
Im sorry your the economic guru who thinks legalizing dope will stimulate the economy please oh wise one tell us what else will help this economy out
And as stated before, Bobo is not a great OC if he was he would be in demand by other organizations and I have yet to hear the first one call
But that wouldnt register with you since the only brain skills you have is being the driver for the short bus. Make sure your license hasnt expired moron
Flat Tire on I-95 in Jacksonville
November 16th, 2011
1:32 pm
True Dawg Fan
Hey STUPID
Show me where I posted that Mark Richt should be fired, oh wise one
Spaceman Spiff
November 16th, 2011
1:55 pm
On a different note, what is the consensus on this commit, Faton Bauta?
TampaDawg
November 16th, 2011
2:07 pm
Let’s see, show Flat Tire a post where he wants CMR fired:
“Flat Tire on I-95 in Jacksonville
September 12th, 2011
7:51 pm
Calhoundawg
Since 2006
Richt is 13-13 in the SEC east
23-18 in all SEC games
1-4 vs FL
3-10 vs top 10 teams
We are now 14-14 the last 28 games
Also UGA was something way before Richt got here
And you bring up Tenn and Fulmer
Then lets take AL
When Bear left AL struggled until they got Stallings and won a NC, When Stallings left AL struggled until they got Saban and a NC
Great programs will struggle but great programs will rebound with the right coach
And your Tenn example, Fulmer was exposed when Cutcliff left pure and simple
Im glad your ashamed of some fans wanting better. now go pull for Ole Miss, Ky or Vandy where moral victories like what happened Saturday get you contract extensions”
Or maybe:
“Flat Tire on I-95 in Jacksonville
September 12th, 2011
9:53 pm
HWY 400
Please pass some of that kool-aid your drinking
If you think this staff has UGA on the verge of greatness your in need of counselling
The boise st game is proof of that
Why
Look at the lously play calling in the boise game compared to SC
That ought to have told you this staff does not take their jobs seriously and they think they will be here a long time.
After the boise game with such tremendous heat turned up you saw a completly different and more open up the playbook game plan
This staff will have another Boise game you can count on it. Im counting on at least 3 more conservative; well we beat Miss St so who cares if we lose to Tenn or FL attitude with the we are here for another 20 yrs attitude from this bunch”
Actually, I like that one just because it proves he didn’t think UGA would be 8-2 at this point in the season. But check this out:
“Flat Tire on I-95 in Jacksonville
September 5th, 2011
12:05 pm
Im dumbfounded
I really thought with all the Hotseat talk that this coaching staff would at least come up with something new
NOPE!!!!
I guess this bunch thinks that they will never be fired”
Dude, you’re right there. You may have never came out and said “Fire Mark Richt” but you have made comments such as these as well as ones saying that we when Bama wasn’t playing well, they didn’t worry about the transition, they went and got a new coach, it’s what teams do.
TampaDawg
November 16th, 2011
2:08 pm
I can keep going. You have wanted Richt to be gone, complaining about how much you donate and yet they keep the staff on so you’re in essence paying for mediocrity. I can keep going.
Mobile Dawg
November 16th, 2011
2:09 pm
Entertainment central today for sure. Only one comment to expound upon, Mike Bobo called a good game against AU. More than likely that game plan won’t be nearly as effective against LSU or Alabama should they be the foe, should we get there. That’s where Bobo hasn’t matured as an OC yet, to take what a defense gives him and exploit that. Starting to feel better about the Dawgs, but, I still think Richt isn’t top shelf coaching material. The key to his success is having a “strong” AD behind him, and being surrounded by good coaches. Thing is, you could say the same thing about most head coaches. Looks like he’s going to be around a while longer, let’s enjoy some success with a “classy” head coach.
Spike 80DF
November 16th, 2011
2:13 pm
I watched youtube highlights of the new committment Faton Bauta and I actually like his LB clips better. This guy hits hard and would be a perfect ILB based on his size IMO….
Spike 80DF
November 16th, 2011
2:15 pm
Bigtime athlete, here’s a link:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3_byrY2W6NE
Spaceman Spiff
November 16th, 2011
2:19 pm
I don’t see Bauta being a QB, either. Wonder if he would bolt if not used in that role.
AltamahaDawg
November 16th, 2011
2:20 pm
So let me get this correct. YOU think the only options availible to discuss Coach Bobo’s “playcalling” is the 1st game ………..and this past game. Nothing in between? interesting.
I’ll play along: Do I think Our line was playing nearly as well then, No. Do I think we had a couple of freshman WR that can pull off that back shoulder catch then? NO. Do I think Murray was as accurate as he is now? NO. So no, clearly we aren’t the exact same team doing the exact same thing, every single game since day 1. I should have specified that caviat.
I’ll ask you this, do you really think the team COULD have played it our nearly as well in the 1st game , had Bobo simply “called” it exactly the way he did this past week?
You are acting like the concepts and the plays are somehow all new in just this past week. That has been evolving and progressing thie entire season, but you could never allow yourself to admit that TILL it was so blattenly slapped in your face, you had to say something. So now it’s OH yea, if we “playcall” a 45-7 rout, it okie dokie with you. But only because dumb ol Bobo finally did it the way you have been saying all along.
The game plan for Auburn could have been a photo copy of what he called against UF (which you hated). The fact that other crircumstances were different outside of that seems to have eluded you.
UGA Insider
November 16th, 2011
2:35 pm
I was at practice yesterday and I am going to change my prediction for the overall score this week to:
UGA 52
UK 10
This team will have NO letdown on Saturday. Yesterday’s practive was physical and tough. A couple of nasty fights too. This team has the makings of something special and I can’t quite put my hands on it but this team really has no limits to their success.
And for all of you who think we don’t have a chance against LSU…. You will see soon enough that we have as much or MORE talent than they do.
Flat Tire on I-95 in Jacksonville
November 16th, 2011
2:41 pm
TampaDawg
Post #1
As Ive stated before I get tired of bloggers who come on here talking about Mark Richt hasnt done no wrong as to why he is the greatest coach we ever had.
In the first post I responded by giving Richts current record and where the program was heading.
And the response of the Fulmer issue of who would we hire because we would end up like Tenn. I gave the AL answer as an example of what programs at their level expect.
Did I say Fire Mark Richt due to that record. Nope I was just bringing up the point that I as a fan want better and are tired of fans thinking that UGA’s best is 10 win seasons only
Post #2
Again I brought the Boise game just like the 2008, 2007 season etc where this staff has shown they are good to lose 2 games they shouldnt lose each year
Did I say fire Mark Richt nope. Just tired of fans acting like a 10 win season is such a great thing
Post #3
Same thing
Tampa Dawg
Before you post excerpts; how about posting everything that I was responding too
You act like the current news media when you do that
Again show me where I said fire Mark Richt NOW
Keep researching your doing a fine job
AltamahaDawg
November 16th, 2011
2:43 pm
You said you loved the I-formation because we were in it 90% of the time, which you have been saying all along is the best chance for us to move the ball.
This is after building a 35-7 halftime lead? SO you love what we do with a 4 TD lead? yes captain obvious, we all do.
We were in a true “I-formation” maybe 6 time the entire first half building that lead. And half of those not really more of Figgins shifting from what was really a TE position back and forth, not lining up as a FB.
I’d say NOT In the I 90% woiuld be more accurate during the scoring in the first half.
The BIG run plays were pretty much all out of single back formation, a couple of which were draws. You’re a huge fan of the draw play now all of a sudden?
Carlton Thomas. I asked somebody else a couple of weeks ago why he said the UF game plan stunk. He never answered but YOU popped in and said something like “yea great plan, running Thomas up the middle”. (which happened TWO times out of 83 plays)
Now somehow you are a huge fan of that “call” to have Carlton Thomas running between the tackles?
YOU loved how we were finally trying to score, even with a big lead.
This is the “trying” that consisted of running the ball 20/22 plays to end the game. The absolute most conservative vanilla offense we run. 20 times. How was that NOT the definition of sitting on a lead. In fact you have to go back 5 games to find a time we scored less in the second half.
AltamahaDawg
November 16th, 2011
2:50 pm
You said we finally stoped that “silly” sideline pass. You mean except the 2 big ones to Mitchell, or the 2 to Bennett? All critical to scoring that 2nd and 3rd TD.
Loved the “crossing patterns”, you say. I don;t know what games you have been watching but we have had crossing patterns galore. The only real big one I rememebr was Charles getitng that critical first down. he has done that all year long. Certainly weren’t 4 like those silly side passes.
I don’t even think oyu know what a “deep slant” is so, I won’t get too deep in that. I suspect you are confusing it with any number of thigs, all of which we have been running forever.
What else was so different about Bobo’s “playcalling” this past week?
Flat Tire on I-95 in Jacksonville
November 16th, 2011
2:53 pm
AltamahaDawg
Again
What did Bobo call basically the entire Boise game run draw up the middle for nothing
The 3 big runs Crowell got were in the I-Formation or toss sweep to the outside go back and watch the game
But did he stick with that no
The only trick play he ran to throw them off was to Boykin and we didnt try it again
Then my personal Bobo favorite was all the sideline pass plays that he is known for priceless
Did he throw a screen to Figgens who we all no has good hands
And the FL game we didnt run it much in the I either. Bobo did start throwing more crossing patterns and deep slants finally in the 2nd half more and Bobo as having all year and as Bill King brought up couldnt manage anything inside the 30 much of the game as being the same in the Vandy game
The Miss St game after boo’s from the crowd for once again not going for it on 4th and inches was still taking place. But I guess after all the boo’s now we have started going for it
But your going to sit here and tell me that play calling was the same all year give me a break
TampaDawg
November 16th, 2011
2:56 pm
Dude, you can dress it up all you want, but you keep crying about the fans of CMR “accepting mediocrity” and that you don’t think we should. What does that say? I can SPILL comments all over this board from you over the past few months regarding the same thing. When someone stated that sometimes a coaching change can turnout to be a negative thing, you defended making a change by pointing to Saban at Bama, or Tressel at OSU. What does that say?
Again, spin it however you want, every comment you made was about how bad you think CMR was and eluded to him being gone. But if you want, here we go again:
This one is in response to someone complaining that we should be like UF, Bama and LSU and get a new coach, saying he wants to win too, but he is old and patient. Flat Tire responds with:
“Flat Tire on I-95 in Jacksonville
September 28th, 2011
12:34 pm
1eyedJack
Being patient is one thing but having to be patient for 2 decades with the resources UGA has is stupidity”
This one about sums it up too .. if this isn’t calling for a coaching change, then you’re more of a jedi master than anyone on the tech blogs.
“Flat Tire on I-95 in Jacksonville
September 28th, 2011
12:57 pm
Les Claypool
I dont why dont you find a time machine and go back and tell
Alabama that when Shula was there
FL when Zook was there
Ohio State before Tressel was there
USC before Pete Carrol was there
Texas before Mack Brown was there
Oklahoma before Bob Stoops was there
FL before Spurrier was there
I dont know maybe those programs above like most Fortune 500 companies know if the CEO isnt getting the job done its time to make a change instead of sitting there doing nothing hoping the company doesnt go bankrupt”
AltamahaDawg
November 16th, 2011
2:57 pm
You love how he finally changed his name to Mike Bobo for this one game?
AltamahaDawg
November 16th, 2011
2:59 pm
I hate to pile on…you go ahead and fight that battle of convincing everyone you never, ever, wanted to fire Richt, and we can talk why Carlton Thomas up the middle is your favorite play call later.
Snoop Dawg
November 16th, 2011
3:00 pm
Giving Grantham a pay raise and a contract extension is an investment.
Giving Richt an extension is a mistake.
He should volunteer to take a huge pay cut.
The team’s success is Grantham, not Richt…
TampaDawg
November 16th, 2011
3:01 pm
Man, can’t believe I found this doozie … get a load of this:
GT Joe
September 28th, 2011
3:57 pm
Okay, maybe not GT vs. LSU in the title game. Could be GT vs. Bama. Old school matchup, I like it.
The question won’t be how much we score, the question would be, can we stop them on defense enough to win. It’s a coin flip.
TampaDawg
November 16th, 2011
3:07 pm
@Snoop “The team’s success is Grantham, not Richt…” …
uhhh, who hired him? If as Flat Tire would want you to believe, CMR ran Van Gorder off, then he should get the credit for bringing someone in.
Snoop Dawg
November 16th, 2011
3:07 pm
Tampa Dawg, are you unemployed?
Burma Shave
November 16th, 2011
3:09 pm
Grantham is a jerk
A money grubber too
He’s even worse than Richt
Now he’s stepped in his own poo
BURMA SHAVE
Flat Tire on I-95 in Jacksonville
November 16th, 2011
3:09 pm
Again Tampa Dawg
Responding to a post that gave an example of programs that made a coaching change that didnt pan out. I gave those examples of programs that did
The point was you dont sit with mediocrity just because your afraid of what other programs have experienced with coaching changes
Again having to wait 2 decades with the resources UGA has is no excuse in Richts current record the last 5 yrs
Again where is the spin
Did I say Fire Mark Richt Now after all those statements
Snoop Dawg
November 16th, 2011
3:11 pm
Richt still has two years on his contract. Why are all the unemployed double digit IQ types screaming to extend Preacha Man’s contract.
He has a proven track record which is atrocious.
Get some perspective. He already blew the easiest schedule in UGA’s history. Even with the run against mediocres, we aren’t even in the top ten. Even if we win the SEC championship we still have two losses so can’t get the crystal football.
Richt is a logo, a salesman, a recruiter, a CEO. He is not a coach.
UGA needs a real head ball coach.
Period dot com.
TampaDawg
November 16th, 2011
3:11 pm
Altamaha, he may have crossing patterns and slants confused. UGA does crossing patterns regularly. AJ Green used to get no YAC some games because the crossing patterns were covered heavily. This year, they have exposed some for not covering them enough. Hard slants on the other hand are a bit of a rare play call and I think it’s a play we should put in there with either Bennett or King being big and physical. Tough play to cover.
Flat Tire on I-95 in Jacksonville
November 16th, 2011
3:12 pm
Tampa Dawg
Your 3:01 post was not mine
That was a Tech fan posing as me I was making fun of GT Joe’s comments on how he thought Tech was so good at that time
You better look that one up as I laughed at GT Joe thinking GT would even have a chance at AL or LSU
Flat Tire on I-95 in Jacksonville
November 16th, 2011
3:14 pm
Im still waiting to hear a good reason for the 2007 and 2008 season debacle
Snoop Dawg
November 16th, 2011
3:14 pm
Snoop Dawg attended the UGA-Auburn game. Auburn is 6-4 this year. That’s the best team UGA has beat this year.
Looks like da Preacha Man’s 2011 vintage Beaujolais Koolaid is out and it’s a good year for koolaid. Drink up, idiots.
Flat Tire on I-95 in Jacksonville
November 16th, 2011
3:18 pm
Wait I should rephrase that
Im still waiting to hear how since Bobo is such a guru play caller what happen to the 2007, 2008 season with the NFL talent we had
Mobile Dawg
November 16th, 2011
3:30 pm
Flat Tire, I’m with you 100% on the “Richt dropped the ball” band wagon. Agreed, he let this program slide to the low we saw vs UCF last year. He did that by having more of a fellowship role with his coaches and players than taking a leadership role IMO. It’s going to be a while before I forget Richts total failure as a Leader over the last several years. It mystifies me still to know that some of us saw it happening and called it as it happened but he either couldn’t see it, or did nothing about it and hoped it would go away.
That said, I’m sure there’s still a lot of love to spread around by listening to Richt talk, but he’s taken more of a “tough” love position than in the past “when necessary”. Recruiting is good, defense is good to outstanding now. He can’t turn it completely around in one year, but with good players and good position coaches “as Friend seems to be turning out”, an improved S&C program, the future looks better than it has in several years. Hopefully we will see Richt and McGarity look to shore up the remaining weaknesses, or areas needing improvement and indeed compete for the SEC Championship consistently.
TampaDawg
November 16th, 2011
3:31 pm
Snoop Dawg
November 16th, 2011
3:11 pm
Richt still has two years on his contract. Why are all the unemployed double digit IQ types screaming to extend Preacha Man’s contract.
He has a proven track record which is atrocious.
Get some perspective. He already blew the easiest schedule in UGA’s history. Even with the run against mediocres, we aren’t even in the top ten. Even if we win the SEC championship we still have two losses so can’t get the crystal football.
Richt is a logo, a salesman, a recruiter, a CEO. He is not a coach.
UGA needs a real head ball coach.
Period dot com.
———————–
Gosh where do a I start? First, how does a guy with an 8-2 record “blow” the easiest schedule in UGA’s history? Didn’t make sense there. Second, “we” are not in the top 10, not because of CMR, but because voters.haven’t moved them up far enough yet. His track record is atrocious? Hmm, only two other coaches in the SEC I believe with at least 2 SEC titles. Make some sense will ya.
Mobile Dawg
November 16th, 2011
3:34 pm
And that should include keeping Grantham, should he want to stay. Just wonder how the chemistry works out between the two being they are polar opposites.
TampaDawg
November 16th, 2011
3:36 pm
Auburn is 6-4 .. their 4 losses, Clemson, LSU, Arkansas and … UGA .. what a horrible thing to be mixed in with that group huh?
AltamahaDawg
November 16th, 2011
3:36 pm
I’m sorry. Where you posing a question to me about something that happened 4 yrs ago? I don’t know. Didnt work, no damn good, idiot call. I don’t even know what you asking me.
and on the other…….thats cool. I didnt expect you to conceed any of that. But for me, I have talked to a bunch of folks during, after the game, and pretty much all week, and anybody that I know that I respect thier opinion tells me (unsolicited from me) that they saw the same thing. Same stuff, finally working better now.
TampaDawg
November 16th, 2011
3:38 pm
I saw that one .. I posted the old GT Joe one knowing that was GT Joe .. had nothing to do with you Flat ..
Funny thing about GT Joe, not many like him on the tech blogs either. WHy? Because he BLASTS tech on there. He agrees with everything UGA posted on tech blogs. Leaves me scratching my head when I read his stuff.
News | MrSEC.com
November 16th, 2011
3:40 pm
[...] to be held in the Brooklyn Nets’ new arena. 4. Georgia’s Todd Grantham says he’s focused on coaching, not contract extensions…5. But this writer believes Grantham instructed his agent to start angling for a new [...]
TampaShave
November 16th, 2011
3:42 pm
Burma’s rhymes are dumb
But still posts them all the time
So he throws them out on here
Cuz they ain’t worth a dime
TAMPA SHAVE