Grantham shoots down rumors, wants to ‘be at UGA a very long time’
Todd Grantham, who led the Bulldogs' defense to a No. 3 overall national ranking this past season, shot down rumors Wednesday he might be heading to the Falcons. (UGA photo)
It’s that time of year where rumors swirl constantly regarding coaching jobs and transfers and the like. On cue, no sooner had Brian VanGorder left the Atlanta Falcons to take the defensive coordinator’s job at Auburn this week than rumors began to circulate that the Falcons may come after Georgia defensive coordinator Todd Grantham.
Kind of funny when you think about it, especially with all the arguments that developed this season between Bulldogs’ fans about which DC was better at UGA, VanGorder or Grantham.
Anyway, those rumors must have made their way to Grantham on Wednesday because the Bulldogs’ second-year coordinator issued a statement through the UGA athletic department reiterating that he isn’t looking to leave Georgia and/or return to the NFL. Georgia Athletic Director Greg McGarity confirmed to the AJC last week and again Wednesday that he and Grantham have already agreed in principle to a new three-year contract. They’re in the process of finalizing the paperwork, which may drag out another week or more. But it’s effectively a done deal and Grantham’s statement underscores as much.
Here’s what Grantham sent via email:
“This time of year there are a lot of rumors involving coaching openings. Because of the terrific recruiting class we are assembling and the juniors that have communicated to me their desire to come back to Georgia I felt it important to address some of these current and any future rumors. I’ve had discussions with Coach Richt and (AD) Greg McGarity and we are on track to finalizing details on a contract extension. My family enjoys Athens very much. I love the passion and excitement of our fans. We have the program headed in the right direction and I want to be a part of bringing Georgia a championship. My desire is to be at UGA for a very long time. Go Dawgs!”
Todd Grantham
Jan. 11, 2012
I suppose you could split hairs about the semantics and, of course, some folks already are. But that seems pretty cut-and-dried to me.
Grantham — who exited the season as the nation’s second highest-paid defensive coordinator at $750,000 a year — led the Bulldogs’ defense to a No. 5 overall national ranking this past season. He has nine of 11 starters due to come back and is making some hay on the recruiting trail. Most recently he nailed down a commitment from defensive end/outside linebacker Jordan Jenkins, the state’s No. 1 prospect.
Most of the time these rumors are generated by opposing teams just trying to blunt recruiting momentum. Just to be certain, the sooner UGA gets Grantham’s contract finalized the better. With just one year left on the current deal, Grantham’s buyout is relatively miniscule. But the one included in the first year of a new three-year agreement will have considerably more bite to it.
In any case, McGarity doesn’t seem in a rush.
“We have talked about what we are going to do, so we are all on the same page,” he said.
That’s definitely a good thing for Georgia.
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302 comments Add your comment
Dawg4life
January 11th, 2012
9:21 pm
Jerome…….Right on!!!!!!!!
1-11 vs. UGA
January 11th, 2012
9:21 pm
Wonder if Tech will EVER beat UGA again
GATAHATA
January 11th, 2012
9:22 pm
Good! Because Dawg nation wants Grantham! Much love!!
In Atl
January 11th, 2012
9:23 pm
Fire in his belly? The guy is a deluxe jerk. I doubt many programs would want him. You can keep him.
Jerome
January 11th, 2012
9:24 pm
I can’t stand Tech fans that want to point out any flaw they can find against Georgia. Just because your pathetic excuse for a football team can’t beat us. Don’t hate. Please. I can feel this team heading in the right direction. We will be the next SEC team to win a BCS title. Our defense will carry us if they have to. I can just feel it. CTG is creating a monster.
Jerome
January 11th, 2012
9:24 pm
It’s gotta be Tech fans coming on here. What other team would waste their time? Hey, Tech who would you rather have? Groh or Grantham? You’d LOVE to have Grantham. Too damn bad!
BigC
January 11th, 2012
9:28 pm
Good, now they can get rid of Bobo
dcfrom conyers
January 11th, 2012
9:29 pm
Thanks Coach G, Go Dawgs
kevin
January 11th, 2012
9:33 pm
Hey Tide is Rolling, Why are you on a Georgia blog? Your team is a winner but you’re acting like a loser. You can’t just look at points given up in a game and put them on the defense. Are you that unintelligent when it comes to sport? You can go back and check the BOX SCORE of any of Georgia’s losses and see who gave up the points. Usually, it was special teams or the offense, not the defense. Boise St. did score on the D, but that was Game 1. Do some homework and don’t just check the score to make your conclusions. Or better yet, stop commenting on a Georgia blog because you obviously didn’t watch any Georgia games or you’d know better. At least, a smart person would.
Jerome
January 11th, 2012
9:34 pm
@ Kevin, dude that guy is NOT a Bama fan. He’s a Tech fan. Don’t be fooled. He’s pretending to be a Bama fan to seem “superior”. He knows he can’t come on he being himself (tech fan) and not get blown outta here. So he hides. Typical.
Techster
January 11th, 2012
9:36 pm
I have to agree. Bulldog fans are the dumbest.
Man, did you see the beat down the dog basketball team took against Florida?
3-12 Against Ranked Teams
January 11th, 2012
9:37 pm
Hey 1-11….I’m a UGA fan. Beating a mid-level second tier “rival” is expected, you dope….not something to be overly proud of!!!
10 wins against mediocre and/or bad teams were sandwiched by 4 bad losses to teams that should be your peers!!!
My my, how far our standards have dropped…..
4.29 GPA with 4.35 speed 40-yard dash
January 11th, 2012
9:38 pm
buzzDawg January 11th, 2012 9:16 pm
“Next year is already looking good.”
_______________________________________
Based upon what ? That the 3 Seniors on the OL were our best 3 OL and Orson Charles was our best Tight End and all left ? That our schedule is even weaker than this season ? That we didn’t beat any team in any of the polls released today for the 2011 season, and did not last season either ? That we play 1 team 2012 who is in any top 25 poll this season ? That there were 27 teams who finished with 10-Win Seasons and we beat none of any of them either ? That of the 27 teams who finished with 10-Win seasons 2011, we had the worst 10-Win record at 10-4 ? That Mark Richt said no personnel changes including no new Offensive Coordinator ? That Mark Richt said that this 2011 season was a Good Season ? That Mark Richt said that he is not hiring a Special Teams’ Coach either ? That Mark Richt said that Aaron Murray is great yesterday ? That the Starting QB at UGA has lost 41 percent of his Starts ? That Missouri has averaged the # 31 recruiting ranking the last 6 seasons and has done Better than Mark Richt who has averaged the # 7 recruiting class instead ? That Isaiah Crowell is still on the team ? That January 15 is not here yet, so you have no idea who will Declare and who will not ? That Aaron Murray averages 7 rushes a game for 27 games at 1 yard per carry with 21 fumbles ? That Aaron Murray is 0-9 vs teams finishing in the top 25 ? That Aaron Murray has 22 Interceptions in 27 games ? That Aaron Murray has thrown 75 percent of his Touchdown Passes against teams not one of whom ended any season in the Top 25 ? That neither Todd Grantham nor Mark Richt have gotten their Extensions only a couple weeks before Signing Date already ? Just what is it about 2012 that already is looking good ?
JB
January 11th, 2012
9:39 pm
D will be loaded next year and with the schedule, Dawgs will be in top 10 nationally defensively, thus Grantham value rises even more. McGarity is way of head of us on that, and he’ll have a stiff buyout clause in the deal in return for a nice fat raise. It’ll take 1 mil+ to hire him away after the new deal is inked I bet.
3-12 Against Ranked Teams
January 11th, 2012
9:40 pm
Grantham a “deluxe jerk”????
……how has the “nice” Mark Richt worked out for us the past 5 seasons??
GO DAWGS
January 11th, 2012
9:42 pm
The Tide is Rolling and Nothing can Stop it (ur a dumba$$)
ALL OF THOSE POINTS ARE FROM A BAD OFFENSE!. ENJOY THIS CHAMPIONSHIP, CAUSE IT WILL BE A LONG TIME BEFORE BAMA WINS ANOTHER ONE. THEY WILL BE DROPPING OFF BIG TIME FOR NEXT COUPLE OF YEARS AND SABAN WILL BE IN DALLAS OR AUSTIN!!! TODD GRANTHAM BEFORE KIRBY SMART ANY DAY OF THE WEEK. NICK SABAN RUNS THAT D AND U EVERYBODY KNOWS IT!! KIRBY SMART LOOKS LIKE A GROWN GERBER BABY!
In Atl
January 11th, 2012
9:42 pm
Richt would never give a college kid the choke sign when he’s about to kick for a field goal or almost start a riot while yelling F-you to the other coach after winning a football game. Classy guy, that one.
Jerome
January 11th, 2012
9:43 pm
10 wins is 10 wins, I don’t give a damn how you slice it. You play the game to win. You don’t play the game to see how many tough teams you can face in a row. Besides LSU and Arkansas, who did Bama play that was worth any substance? Same for South Carolina? The only team I give credit to for working through a tough schedule is LSU. They beat Oregon, West Virginia, Alabama, etc. all on the road.
Oh, Brother
January 11th, 2012
9:43 pm
Jerome January 11th, 2012 9:24 pm
“We will be the next SEC team to win a BCS title.”
major
January 11th, 2012
9:44 pm
Congratulations on keeping Coach Grantham.
But……………..here lies the problem.
Either a head coach is an offensive guy or a defensive guy. Mark Richt is an offensive guy. Unless he gives Coach Grantham and his defensive more than half of the recruiting class each year it will not be an ideal situation for Grantham in the long run. I hope it is, because we want to see every SEC excel.
Good luck gentlemen, you have a little more catching up to do.
major
January 11th, 2012
9:45 pm
Unless he gives Coach Grantham and his defensive STAFF more than half of the recruiting class each year it will not be an ideal situation
corrected.
Jerome
January 11th, 2012
9:45 pm
“You created this monster, you deal with it!”
-Todd Grantham’s wife
Jerome
January 11th, 2012
9:46 pm
Todd Grantham’s wife on the defense….
“You created this monster, you deal with it!”
ugadawg1980
January 11th, 2012
9:47 pm
Glad he wants to stay!! I’m a little surprised, as it doesn’t seem like he and CMR get along very well?
Oh, Brother
January 11th, 2012
9:47 pm
No, JB.
His contract reads that he can return to the NFL at will.
3-12 Against Ranked Teams
January 11th, 2012
9:48 pm
@In Atl……so you’re saying you would rather have “nice” Willie Martinez instead of “jerk” Grantham??
I want to see my Dawgs win tough games against tough opponents…..not win first place in “Mr. Congeniality” contest……it is football, afterall
Oh, Brother
January 11th, 2012
9:48 pm
10-Wins Jerome, is one of 27 teams who got 10-Wins and we had the most losses of the 27 teams with 10-Wins.
Now, what is it you are saying ?
Jerome
January 11th, 2012
9:50 pm
10 wins is 10 wins. Who is your team @ Oh, Brother?
3-12 Against Ranked Teams
January 11th, 2012
9:52 pm
@”Go Dawgs”……while I appreciate your UGA loyalty and support, to think Bama will have a significant dropoff next year is ludicrous…
So long as CMR is here, UGA will never be spoken in the same breath as LSU, ‘Bama, and maybe Ark
….just look at how we fared against ranked teams this year
Brainiac(Dawg for life/Richt fan for life)
January 11th, 2012
9:53 pm
CTG wanting to stay at UGA a long time is great news. Now we need to get the offense going. A 10 – 4 season is a big improvement and it could easily have been 12 – 2. No way should we have lost to SC and to MS and who knows how it would have ended had the 2 sure TD passes not been dropped in the first half against LSU.Those 2 td passes would have given UGA a 21 – 0 halftime lead which surely would have made a big difference. Of course every team out there could come up with a number of it’s own “ifs”. Just pointing out how close we actually came and at least half our season happened without any semblance of a running game. Hopefully we can use another “soft” schedule to work our way into something great in the near future but no one knows if the “soft” schedule will really be soft because every team changes and usually comes up with a game or 2 where they “upset” the favored team. Other than the 2 dropped “sure td” passes @LSU the biggest problem I saw was our OL who had several pretty good games but almost got Murray killed in the bowl game. The performance of our OL and Murray holding his “bad” games to a minimum will determine how we perform in the 2012 season. Congratulations to CTG and may he continue to impress the college football world from Athens, Ga.
In Atl
January 11th, 2012
9:54 pm
“@In Atl……so you’re saying you would rather have “nice” Willie Martinez instead of “jerk” Grantham??”
Are those the only choices? How about someone who’s a good DC and a good person. They don’t have to be mutually exclusive.
3-12 Against Ranked Teams
January 11th, 2012
9:56 pm
@Brainiac…….coulda, woulda, shoulda…..
we still lost all 4 games to top 10 teams
mark of loser/apologist? coulda, woulda, shoulda
Saban Never Sleeps
January 11th, 2012
9:57 pm
Check back when you can hold a team to 5 first downs, 92 yards total offense and take home the National Championship
Jerome
January 11th, 2012
9:58 pm
@ In Atl, oh my gosh, grow a pair man. “How about someone who’s a good DC and a good person.” Grow some nuts! I want someone who puts fire into our defense’s belly and he’s done that and will continue to do so and we’ll get better. Stop being a woman.
3-12 Against Ranked Teams
January 11th, 2012
9:58 pm
@InAtl. Is Saban known for his niceties?
I’d rather have a jerk NC coach than a nice non-NC coach……you??
3-12 Against Ranked Teams
January 11th, 2012
10:00 pm
@ugadawg1980
of course CMR and CTG doesn’t get along well…..Richt is still seething that he was forced to fire his “nice” friend Willie Martinez!
Oh, Brother
January 11th, 2012
10:01 pm
Alabama beat :
# 2 LSU on the road at LSU 21-0
9-4 Penn State on the road 27-11
# 5 Arkansas 38-14
Alabama beat two (2) Top 5 teams in Blow-Outs, one clearly on the road at LSU, and beat a 9-4 team in a Blow-out on the road too.
________________________________________________________
Jerome January 11th, 2012 9:43 pm
“Besides LSU and Arkansas, who did Bama play that was worth any substance? The only team I give credit to for working through a tough schedule”
________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________
Your statement here is that Alabama didn’t beat any good teams, any tough teams. This is your statement.
________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________
In the same post you also say :
________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________
“10 wins is 10 wins, I don’t give a damn how you slice it. You play the game to win. You don’t play the game to see how many tough teams you can face in a row.”
________________________________________________________
(1) Which is it ? Alabama did NOT beat tough teams ?
(2) Georgia did beat which tough teams, oh yeah right two 8-5 not ranked teams as our best wins over tough teams.
(3) Were I you, which I clearly am not, I would not run in here in one post and say both points that Alabama did NOT beat tough teams (like we did) and in the same post, state that the measure for us doesn’t matter that any ole 10-Win season like 27 others all better than us with 4-Losses and beat no one, no matter what.
_______________________________________________________
WHICH IS IT ?
In Atl
January 11th, 2012
10:02 pm
I AM a woman, thank you very much. And fire in the belly in this case is a euphemism for being classless. If winning is more important to you than principles and sportsmanship, then there’s no sense in arguing with you about it. Just don’t complain about the Nick Fairleys of the world anymore.
3-12 Against Ranked Teams
January 11th, 2012
10:02 pm
@The Tide….
dude, we get it. You guys are NC, congrats. Now go back to your double wide and wait for Saban to bring the Crystal trophy to you nearest Wal-Mart again
this is a UGA blog
major
January 11th, 2012
10:05 pm
Oklahoma State
90th in rushing defense
107th in passing defense
107th in total defense
Gave up 365 yards rushing and 33 points to Tulsa
Gave up 34 points to Louisiana-Lafayette
Gave up 507 totals yards, 45 points, and gets dominated in time of possession against Kansas State
Gave up 471 total yards to Texas A&M
Gave up 439 total yards to Arizona
Gave up 231 rushing yards to Texas
Gave up 248 rushing yards to Missouri
Gave up 376 passing yards, 192 rushing yards, and 568 total yards to Iowa State
Gave up 38 points and 590 total yards to Stanford
Just to let those of you know what Oklahoma St and their GREAT Defense allowed. And yet Mike Gundy thinks they could compete with the top 2 teams in the SEC. He has a few screws loose.
3-12 Against Ranked Teams
January 11th, 2012
10:06 pm
@In Atl……OK, let’s get together and sing Kumbaya, pray for world peace and end hunger…all noble and good things
…but this is big time, big pressure, big money college football. Just ask Mark Richt as he cashes his $3 million/year paycheck every other week.
Me? I’d just like to see a UGA National Championship in my adult lifetime
sports
January 11th, 2012
10:07 pm
Coach Grantham will probably have one of the top three defenses in the country next year. Defenses win titles…check ‘bama. With 9 starters returning and the great players that redshirted, plus the recruiting class, Georgia could very well be loaded.
Saban Never Sleeps
January 11th, 2012
10:07 pm
@3-12…Dude dont get offended, we are just here to help you little puppies learn how to play Big Boy Football. First order of business is to get you a Big Boy Coach and OC.
3-12 Against Ranked Teams
January 11th, 2012
10:08 pm
@major….totally agree on Ok St
daggone
January 11th, 2012
10:08 pm
Falcons don’t want him..false rumors. Just some dawg fans worried he might fly the dog pound.
Oh, Brother - Not a DISNEYdawg.com who thinks fans like you are bringing my UGA football program DOWN
January 11th, 2012
10:08 pm
Pretty well tired of your crudola already Jerome. One day posting and you have stated that we will win the next BCS Title for The SEC. That Alabama did not play tough teams beating 2 teams everyone in the nation ranked in the top 5 this season. That it doesn’t matter who we play here at UGA, any 10-win season like the other 27 teams all with 10-wins this season too is great no matter if we didn’t beat any tough teams or not.
What is your team ?
Please don’t tell me this is how you think you Motivate our players and staff to beat a team finishing in the top 25 for the 1st time in 3 years, is to tell them that they will win the next BCS Title for The SEC, and to state outright that Alabama did not beat the tough teams while of course we did, and then say with only us, not Alabama, it doesn’t matter who we beat as long as we get to 10-Wins like the 27 teams who in fact did.
DISNEYdawgs.com
Brainiac(Dawg for life/Richt fan for life)
January 11th, 2012
10:09 pm
@4.29 GPA wiyh 4.35 speed:
You omitted one rather obvious factor. That UGA consistantly thrashes BUNGLEGEE butt at will and there is no end to the butt thrashing in sight. It also appears you misplaced a decimal in that GPA number.
daggone
January 11th, 2012
10:10 pm
With Bobo nothing is safe….42-10
3-12 Against Ranked Teams
January 11th, 2012
10:12 pm
@Saban……enjoy while you can pal…..what goes around comes around.
Saban is pushing 60 and maybe eyeing the Cowboys job. Then you’ll be back to the days of your head coach drunk at a strip joint!! All good things come to and end, and all bad things eventually get better
But again, congrats and enjoy.
major
January 11th, 2012
10:14 pm
Jeff Sagarin Final SOS vs 10 vs 30
21 Georgia A = 84.01 10 4 75.01( 23) 0 3 | 1 4 | 83.92 21 | 83.64 20