3-year deal in works for Georgia D-coordinator Todd Grantham
Georgia's defense has flourished under the guidance of second-year defensive coordinator Todd Grantham. (AJC photo by Brant Sanderlin)
ATHENS – Georgia Athletic Director Greg McGarity confirmed Friday he is in the midst of working on a contract extension for defensive coordinator Todd Grantham.
Grantham’s California-based attorney, Michael Harrison, told the AJC in November he was was seeking an extension for his client. Grantham signed a three-year contract that pays him $750,000 annually when he was hired by coach Mark Richt from the Dallas Cowboys in January of 2010. Grantham has 13 months remaining on that contract.
Georgia Athletic Director Greg McGarity never had an assistant coach under a multi-year agreement in 18 years while he was at Florida. But he is making an exception for Grantham.
“That’s what we’re working to right now,” McGarity said Friday. “We’re discussing it. Mark and I have discussed it and we’re trying to work through that right now. It’s just tough to get everybody together because of coaching conventions and recruiting and things like that. But we’re moving along in that direction.”
McGarity indicated that any new deal with Grantham would likely resemble the old deal. In other words, two years would be added to the existing agreement to get Grantham back to three years. But negotiations are ongoing.
That said, don’t expect a tremendous pay raise for Grantham, if any. He is currently the second highest-paid defensive coordinator in FBS. Alabama’s Kirby Smart is first at $850,000.
“The most important thing is the longevity piece,” McGarity said. “From a compensation standpoint it’s hard to argue that we’re not being fair to him. My whole thing is being fair to people and I think we’re being fair.”
As is his practice, McGarity is dealing with Grantham directly and not his attorney or other representation.
Georgia’s defense has definitely improved under Grantham’s leadership. The Bulldogs finished the 2011 season ranked in the Top 20 nationally in all seven primary statistical categories, including No. 3 in total defense (268.5 ypg), 4th in pass efficiency (98.27), 7th in passing yards allowed (165.9) and 11th in rushing (103.4). Nine starters are currently slated to return to that unit and recruiting prospects are starting to line up to play for Grantham.
The question now is whether McGarity will relax his stance on multi-year contracts for coordinators. Offensive coordinator Mike Bobo is working on a one-year contract, as are Georgia’s other assistants.
“We have not had those discussions,” McGarity said of a multi-year for Bobo. “I’m focused on Mark’s and we’ve talked a little bit about Todd’s. That’s what we’re working on right now.”
– Chip Towers
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349 comments Add your comment
jack bull
January 6th, 2012
8:34 pm
watching the replay of the game on CSS, Murray single-handidly gave that game away. just like the USC game…man, he was BAD(not in a good way) in the 2nd half..
Bingo
January 6th, 2012
8:35 pm
Scout has UGA ranked 27th in recruiting. Nice Dream Team
Should Earn It
January 6th, 2012
8:36 pm
Enter your connemts here.
jack bull
January 6th, 2012
8:37 pm
i didn’t know signing day had already come and gone….dang!
Phil
January 6th, 2012
8:45 pm
“As much as I hate Auburn, we really need our own version of Gus Malzahn that coached that Chick-Fil-A Bowl….that’s some good play calling right there.”
Exactly. That was creativity and imagination at it’s best. Bozo should watch the replay of that game everyday from now until the season starts, maybe he could learn something. But then again, I don’t think he would pick up on anything.
Grantham on the other hand deserves an extension, he’s done a great job. For those who say the defense folded at times in the 2nd half, it’s mainly because Murray and the offense turned the ball over and put them in bad positions. Plus they had to stay on the field a lot like they did against LSU in the 2nd half. I think they did as well as could be expected.
Keep Granthan and go out and get an equally good OC and put Bozo back to QB coach. McGarity is a fool if he can’t see this.
Chris
January 6th, 2012
8:52 pm
I truly believe there will be a change in philosophy in 2012. These guys recognize things need to be tweeked to get results and what McGarity is doing in making this public about Grantham’s extension is being done solely to let Richt and Bobo know that something needs to change on that side of the ball.
Flat Tire on I-95 in Jacksonville
January 6th, 2012
8:53 pm
Chris
What have I told about this coaching staff
Wake up bud
Did the Michigan St game not wake you up to realize Richt cant get it done
GTBob
January 6th, 2012
8:56 pm
GT hopes of beating UGA with their current coach is extremely slim. What is going to change? I hope you keep Johnson for another 10 years…..
The only reason GT has any chance at all is because Richt is at UGA and CPJ is at Tech. Any change in either coach and UGA will win by at least 3 touchdowns every year.
Chris
January 6th, 2012
9:00 pm
Maybe so Flat Tire and yeah I don’t know that I have ever been more disgusted after that game but I also don’t see any possible coaches that are available or are willing to move that are coming to Athens. In which case I see us in a Michigan/Notre Dame funk where we could go 3 or 4 years without even going to a bowl let alone winning 10 games..
Phil
January 6th, 2012
9:02 pm
Flat Tire
McGarity said if Walsh made that FG we would be all be sitting here feeling good about ourselves. Well, most Georgia fans, if not all KNEW Walsh was going to miss that kick. Everybody but Richt apparently. So Richt just quit on that posession, didn’t even try to get the ball closer and brought out a kicker that can’t hit the broad side of a barn. That’s the kind of coaching we have and will continue to have thanks to McGarity. We will never be on the same level as LSU and Alabama under Richt and will get hammered every time we play them. The future doesn’t look too bright with Richt.
RNB
January 6th, 2012
9:05 pm
Surely BoBo don’t think he should have a multi year deal. When was the last time we actually saw improvement?
Phil
January 6th, 2012
9:16 pm
If Alabama or Florida get’s Boise’s offensive coordinator, they upgrade while we stick with the status qou. Status quo ain’t going to cut it in this league, we have to upgrade also.
Flat Tire on I-95 in Jacksonville
January 6th, 2012
9:21 pm
Chris
Let bring you to a bit of reality my friend
Notre Dame is suffering from many problems
1. This isnt the 1950’s 60’s, 70’s and early 80’s where Notre Dame was the one of the only teams on national TV which was a huge advantage to them because kids knew they could be seen by the NFL, now teams like UGA are on TV almost every game.
2. The state of Georgia is a top 4 recruiting state; Indiana and the Chicago area is not even close
3. These kids know; nor do they care about the Notre Dame tradition; they want to go where they can win
4. South Bend is the size of Valdosta Ga; kids want to go somewhere fun and have something to do
5. Academic standards are much harder so since they dont have the popularity of the TV helping them to be seen more to get into the pros it is harder to get the dumb athletes to qualify, just ask Tech
6. Its a cold weather town; and the best high school football is played in the south most of those kids arent going up their in the frozen cold
The state of Michigan is suffering from their stupidity of wanting to work for 6 figure salaries that companies cant afford so they are loosing jobs hence losing recruits plus the north doesnt have the high school football like the south now
and again take most of Notre Dames problems other than academics and thats why UGA doesnt have the problems of those schools
Chris
January 6th, 2012
9:31 pm
Thanks for pointing all that out Flat Tire… all I am saying is that if you and all these other people on here whine and complain about a 10 win season the way you all do I would hate to see how you would comment on a blog about those schools. Believe me I take my UGA football serious, maybe too much sometimes, but some of the stuff on here is even way past my level. I just cannot believe that the coaches sit around all week wondering how can we p!@s off our fan base this week and give them a reason to post negative comments on blogs.
JC_Mike
January 6th, 2012
9:43 pm
Apparently, UGA is satisfied with mediocrity. I am still not a believer that the program is headed in the right direction.
Georgia’s DC has contract extension in the works | CollegeFootballTalk
January 6th, 2012
9:45 pm
[...] in the middle of a three-year contract with Georgia, defensive coordinator Todd Grantham is getting an extension from the school, athletic director Greg McGarity confirmed to the Atlanta Journal-Constitution on [...]
Flat Tire on I-95 in Jacksonville
January 6th, 2012
9:46 pm
Chris
Again you need to read more of my posts
I dont whine about 10 wins
I whine about a coach paid $3 million a year that hasnt beaten a top 20 team in 3 years that has a top 4 recruiting state with the luxury of not having other teams in the state to have to compete with like USC in California, Texas Texas AM and many others in Texas, FSU FL Miami in FL, etc
I whine because our coach is 31-28 against top 25 teams; 8-12 against the top 10, subtract Tech’s one time in the top 10 and he is actually 7-12
Richt hasnt won a big game in 6 yrs
10 wins is nice but there are plenty of teams that avg 10 wins every year big deal.
I also whine that UGA fans have to fork out a ton of money to watch a poor product on the field while we are talking about an undeserved contract extension for Richt
Hey; if all UGA wants is 10 wins and beat a top 15 team once every 3 or 4 years thats fine; just dont demand that UGA fans pay so much to see this garbage.
jonkdawg
January 6th, 2012
9:50 pm
Keep in mind rumor said Kirby Smart is looking for a head coaching job somewhere that will be good for him.
jvillebil
January 6th, 2012
9:50 pm
The only saving grace to this season was beating a lousey Fla team.
K-Baby
January 6th, 2012
9:50 pm
You guys who only state points allowed as defensive statistics don’t have a clue. How many points were given up this year due to pick sixes and special teams miscues. Those points cannot be attributed to the defense. Also what about the poor field position because of dumb offensive play calls which result in 3 and outs due to running a 175 pound running back up the middle on a delay on 3rd and long? While I think our defense could use some work on sudden transitions in a game (offense turns it over, etc). It is very hard to play defense when the other team starts on your side of the field all the time.
Also, the lack of execution on offense is at least as responsible as the play calling. I am as frustrated as many of you. However, I think back to 1980 and Herschel Walker. The play calling consisted of toss sweep right, toss sweep left, and sprint draws. That offensive line knew how to block. Herschel was incredible, but the offensive line contributed more than you think to his success. Teams knew what was coming almost every time, but we still ran the ball effectively. Belue was also a good quarterback who made good decisions and was protected well. He could also chuck it down the field pretty good.
Yes, it is the offensive coordinator’s responsibility for execution or lack thereof. Like when John McKay was asked about his offense’s execution and he said “I am in favor of it” Pretty much describes the Dawgs.
Dr. Phil
January 6th, 2012
9:53 pm
Take a look at that MSU scoring drive that tied the game before pulling out the checkbook.
Roadrunner
January 6th, 2012
9:53 pm
I wish they’d give Grantham a 5 year deal, not that that’s going to positively hold him at Georgia. If someone comes a knocking with a head coaching job, Richt isn’t going to stand in his way. However, I think Grantham’s personality lends itself more to a defensive coordinator than a head coach where always being pc is mandatory. Stay a DC and he’ll have a long successful career. The Dog’s D looks better than it has in a long time! GO DAWGS!!
jvillebil
January 6th, 2012
9:57 pm
Actually Belue’s stats were pretty average, He threw 24 TD’s & 21 Int at Georgia. But he had Herschel
PLEASE KEEP RICHT & BOBO PLEASE SAYS S.E.C
January 6th, 2012
9:57 pm
DONT GET RID OF MIKE BOBO
The pitiful truth about the cesspool in Athens
January 6th, 2012
9:59 pm
The only thing that matters is getting to the top.
And that sums up exactly what is rotten and sleazy about UGA and Mark Richt.
guy
January 6th, 2012
9:59 pm
Don’t blame the defense for the points scored by teams in the last two games.UGA has no running game and those folks should be run(or walk) out of town! PITIFUL!
Chris
January 6th, 2012
10:00 pm
Dude (Flat Tire) I agree with you and believe me I have read a lot of your posts and others. It just seems that noone on here wants to ever look at anything positive. I would LOVE to see a new OC in Athens but I know that 3 or so weeks b4 signing day they would not announce anything like that. Would be nice to see it announced a day, maybe 2 later as long as it is someone the players would be excited about playing for. This group should be able to avg 45-50 points per game with the right leadership and direction.
He makes how much???
January 6th, 2012
10:02 pm
Keep in mind that CMR is paid $10,000 a day for coaching the 5th best team in the SEC.
Not much return on the investment, is it?
JRW7
January 6th, 2012
10:02 pm
Give CTG a BIG raise long term, and move CMB back to QB coach, and hire a real OC!!!! GO DAWGS!!!!!
Irving Johansen
January 6th, 2012
10:09 pm
At least one coach at UGA has passion! Get rid of CMR; keep CTG.
From an ex-Con….Atlanta Fed Pen
K-Baby
January 6th, 2012
10:11 pm
If we had Murray in 1980 with Herschel and that offensive line, we would have one 3 national championships. I have also thought if Erk had stayed with UGA in 1981 and 82, we also would have had 3 champoinships.
K-Baby
January 6th, 2012
10:12 pm
Sorry, we would have “won” 3 national championships.
Irving Johansen
January 6th, 2012
10:12 pm
Well put K-Baby!!! At LEAST 3 NC’s!
pop
January 6th, 2012
10:14 pm
keep the def.cordinator he has ga.looking good let same play bobo go please
JRW7
January 6th, 2012
10:16 pm
DAWG fans just grin and bear it, McGarity is going to give CMR a raise and a 2 or 3 year extension, and CMR will win 9 to 10 games per year, with no chance to ever win a NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP!! Give CTG a extension. Move CMB back to QB coach, and spend the big bucks to get a real OC at UGA!!!
Flat Tire on I-95 in Jacksonville
January 6th, 2012
10:16 pm
Chris
Did you see what Petrino did he threw it down field to try to see if he might could score
Richt would take a knee and run to the locker room to have the team read another chapter of the book Energy Vampires
Thats what people are sick of
Dawgfan
January 6th, 2012
10:18 pm
PPPPPPlease all the tech sour losers go elsewhere. You are stinking up our board…. UTAH! REALLY HAHAHA
RNB
January 6th, 2012
10:21 pm
Flat Tire on I-95 in Jacksonville, Great post. I agree. I sent McGarity a email this morning saying the same things. Most fans that know football understand the program is going no where.
tide roll
January 6th, 2012
10:21 pm
Hey Dawg fans. You’ve got to be loving Kansas State’s offense. It looks like UGA’s 1971 team. Where’s ANDY JOHNSON and JAMES RAY !? This is y’all’s kind of team! Why don’t you do yourselves a favor and move to Lawrence, Kansas. All kinds of Ben Joneses, David Andrews, Dallas Lees. Theuses, Austin Longs, Hunter Longs, Dantzlers, Debells, Pykes, and on and on. You guys would be in heaven wouldn’t you? Kansas State’s offense. A Uga fan’s REAL “DREAM TEAM”. 31 and counting.
Dawg48
January 6th, 2012
10:22 pm
Winning a NC has a lot to do with luck!
FLA DAWG
January 6th, 2012
10:26 pm
YOU 10 WIN LOVIING SEASON MORONS…………
My guess is that you all voted for Obama and will likelly do so again.
Refering to stats time and again has proven fruitless to this bunch of brainwashed zombies in my opinion………………………
DAWG NATION………………….. the fact that Grantham was contracted first is HUGHE but is not reported. I encourage you to voice your opinion of Bobo and Richt…………..
We have too much talent to waste it for yet another year.
FLA DAWG,
Class of ‘ 79
Dawg48
January 6th, 2012
10:26 pm
Tide (the racist) roll
Chris
January 6th, 2012
10:27 pm
Yeah I’m watching. Like I said I would LOVE to see a new OC in Athens come game 1 of the 2012 season. That would be like Christmas coming 4 months early!
Techster
January 6th, 2012
10:29 pm
LSU and MSU ran all over the defense and then you guys give him a raise. Huh?
Dumb.
Just like Ga.
FLA DAWG
January 6th, 2012
10:33 pm
Techster,
When you and your alumni can hire a guy who can put together a team that can beat us more than once in TEN YEARS then blog something. Until then keep your worthless words kept to yourself youngster.
Brainiac(Dawg for life/Richt fan for life)
January 6th, 2012
10:33 pm
@GT4ever:
Watch what you wish for. How does 20 out of the last 21 sound?
Flat Tire on I-95 in Jacksonville
January 6th, 2012
10:35 pm
RNB
People will tell you on this blog all these emails to Mcgarity dont mean nothing; but they will; not now of course but they will; A person I know told me FSU slowly started losing a bunch of season ticket holders during the Bowden mess and that was one of the final straws.
Its just a matter of time; Im thinking probably 2 maybe 3 more seasons of this mediocrity and season tickets is going to be an issue as fans get sick of having to pay so much for this cant beat no good team stuff
Keep in mind This was the first year in I think 10 years that one or two of the home games wasnt a sell out
Mike Bobo 17 INT
January 6th, 2012
10:38 pm
“Wide right, the gift that keeps on giving…”
Flat Tire on I-95 in Jacksonville
January 6th, 2012
10:38 pm
Techster
Who is dumber Tech; the school that has Johnson (who cant beat lousy UGA teams nor win a bowl game; has to cheat to win an ACC championship) who has him locked in such a long term contract that his buyout is almost $13 million that we know Tech cant afford to do or UGA
Mike Bobo 17 INT
January 6th, 2012
10:39 pm
The score will tell…