Todd Grantham
Encyclopedia
Todd Grantham is the defensive coordinator for the Georgia Bulldogs
. He was hired on Jan. 15, 2010.
in 1998 to coach the Defensive Line. His D-Line was one of the catalysts of the biggest turnaround in league history (3-13 to 13-3), ultimately helping the Colts defense compile 56 sacks in two years, which was a club record since moving to Indianapolis. During his tenure in Indianapolis, the Colts had a 29-19 record.
, joining the staff of former Pittsburgh Steelers
Defensive Coordinator and Inaugural Carolina Panthers
head coach Dom Capers
. Grantham would be given lots of talent to work with from the start, as the Texans acquired Pro Bowl Defensive End Gary Walker
and Nose Tackle Seth Payne from the Jacksonville Jaguars
in the expansion draft.
In 2002, his influence was evident on the line as starters Gary Walker, Seth Payne, and Jerry Deloach all posted career high's in tackles. Gary Walker would also earn his second Pro Bowl appearance under his tutelage that season.
2003 would be a testing year for the line, as Pro Bowler Gary Walker and Seth Payne would only play in a combined six games that year due to injury. However, Jerry Deloach and Steve Martin would fill in with great success, posting a combined 201 tackles. Despite the very poor 5-11 record, there was optimism for the future of the steadily improving defense.
2004 would be a break-out year for the Texans. Todd Grantham's line would once again make a major contribution, helping the Texans achieve the 13th ranked run defense in the league. Despite the low number of sacks (5.5) , they put great pressure on opposing quarterbacks (76 recorded pressures) and helped anchor the defense that was equipped with playmakers such as 2004 1st round draft pick Dunta Robinson
, former Ravens Linebacker Jamie Sharper
, and Veteran Defensive Backs Aaron Glenn
and Marcus Coleman
. Despite posting a mediocre 7-9 record, the Texans were poised to start making an impact in the NFL after improving every season since their inception in 2002.
After three strong seasons with the Texans, Todd Grantham would accept an offer by Romeo Crennel
to become Defensive Coordinator of the Browns. After he left, the Houston Texans would fall apart as they posted a 2-14 record. Dom Capers was fired after the end of the season.
They once again fielded one of the NFL's top pass defenses, actually stepping up in rank from 5th to 4th in the NFL. When starting cornerback Gary Baxter
went down with a knee injury that ended his season, Leigh Bodden
emerged as a solid playmaker. Overall, their secondary continued to play at a high level.
They also ranked 11th in scoring defense despite possessing one of the leagues worst run defenses. Orpheus Roye would post a career high with 88 tackles and also make 3 sacks.
He was fired on January 11, 2008 after the 2007 season with the Brown's defense ranking 25th against the pass, 27th against the run, and 30th in total-yards-against among 32 teams.
. Despite breakdowns in coverage at times, the Bulldogs ranked 23rd nationally in total defense and 35th in scoring defense (22 points allowed per game). His defense also forced 26 takeaways, over twice as many as Georgia had in 2009 (12), and helped them move from 118th nationally in 2009 to 18th in 2010 in turnover margin.
Eleven games into the 2011 season, Georgia's defense under Grantham currently ranks 2nd nationally in rushing defense, 3rd in total yards allowed and and 4th in scoring defense (13.5 offensive points allowed per game). They are also leading the SEC in sacks (30) and tackles for loss (85).
He is well known for giving a University of Florida placekicker the "choke" sign before attempting a field goal. He also had a run-in with Vanderbilt's head coach James Franklin after a closely contended ballgame in 2011.
Georgia Bulldogs
The Georgia Bulldogs are the athletic teams of the University of Georgia. The Bulldogs compete in National Collegiate Athletic Association Division I and are members of the Southeastern Conference...
. He was hired on Jan. 15, 2010.
Virginia Tech (1990-1995)
Grantham spent six seasons at his alma mater, Virginia Tech, the final two as defensive line coach. In 1995, the Hokies ranked first nationally in rushing defense, fifth in scoring defense and 10th in total defense. Virginia Tech racked up 50 sacks en route to the Big East title and a Sugar Bowl triumph over Texas. Grantham coached defensive ends and inside linebackers from 1990–91 and defensive tackles from 1992-93.Michigan State (1996-1998)
Grantham then served three seasons as the defensive line coach at Michigan State. He added the title of assistant head coach in his final season in East Lansing in 1998. Michigan State ranked 19th in total defense in 1996 and 13th in 1997, making consecutive bowl trips.Indianapolis Colts (1999-2001)
Grantham was hired by Jim MoraJim E. Mora
James Earnest Mora is the former head coach of the USFL's Philadelphia/Baltimore Stars and the NFL's New Orleans Saints and Indianapolis Colts. He played football at Occidental College where he was also a member of the Alpha Tau Omega fraternity. His son Jim L...
in 1998 to coach the Defensive Line. His D-Line was one of the catalysts of the biggest turnaround in league history (3-13 to 13-3), ultimately helping the Colts defense compile 56 sacks in two years, which was a club record since moving to Indianapolis. During his tenure in Indianapolis, the Colts had a 29-19 record.
Houston Texans (2002-2004)
After Jim Mora was relieved of his duties in Indianapolis, Grantham would move on to the newly formed Houston TexansHouston Texans
The Houston Texans are a professional American football team based in Houston, Texas. The team is currently a member of the Southern Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League...
, joining the staff of former Pittsburgh Steelers
Pittsburgh Steelers
The Pittsburgh Steelers are a professional football team based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. The team currently belongs to the North Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League . Founded in , the Steelers are the oldest franchise in the AFC...
Defensive Coordinator and Inaugural Carolina Panthers
Carolina Panthers
The Carolina Panthers are a professional American football team based in Charlotte, North Carolina. They are currently members of the South Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League . The Panthers, along with the Jacksonville Jaguars, joined the NFL as expansion...
head coach Dom Capers
Dom Capers
Ernest Dominic "Dom" Capers is an American football coach, the current defensive coordinator of the Green Bay Packers, and the only man to serve two different National Football League expansion teams as their inaugural head coach....
. Grantham would be given lots of talent to work with from the start, as the Texans acquired Pro Bowl Defensive End Gary Walker
Gary Walker
Gary Lamar Walker is a former American football player who played defensive end, most recently for the Houston Texans of the NFL. He accumulated 148 tackles and 15 sacks in two seasons at Auburn University, earning second-team All-Southeastern Conference honors as a senior. Before Auburn, he...
and Nose Tackle Seth Payne from the Jacksonville Jaguars
Jacksonville Jaguars
The Jacksonville Jaguars are a professional American football team based in Jacksonville, Florida, U.S. They are currently members of the South Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League...
in the expansion draft.
In 2002, his influence was evident on the line as starters Gary Walker, Seth Payne, and Jerry Deloach all posted career high's in tackles. Gary Walker would also earn his second Pro Bowl appearance under his tutelage that season.
2003 would be a testing year for the line, as Pro Bowler Gary Walker and Seth Payne would only play in a combined six games that year due to injury. However, Jerry Deloach and Steve Martin would fill in with great success, posting a combined 201 tackles. Despite the very poor 5-11 record, there was optimism for the future of the steadily improving defense.
2004 would be a break-out year for the Texans. Todd Grantham's line would once again make a major contribution, helping the Texans achieve the 13th ranked run defense in the league. Despite the low number of sacks (5.5) , they put great pressure on opposing quarterbacks (76 recorded pressures) and helped anchor the defense that was equipped with playmakers such as 2004 1st round draft pick Dunta Robinson
Dunta Robinson
Willie Dunta Robinson is an American football cornerback for the Atlanta Falcons. He was drafted by the Houston Texans 10th overall in the 2004 NFL Draft. He played college football at South Carolina.-Early years:...
, former Ravens Linebacker Jamie Sharper
Jamie Sharper
Harry James Sharper, Jr. is a former American football player who played in the NFL from 1997 through 2005. He played college football at the University of Virginia. He is the older brother of safety Darren Sharper.-Professional career:The Baltimore Ravens selected Sharper with the 34th overall...
, and Veteran Defensive Backs Aaron Glenn
Aaron Glenn
Aaron DeVon Glenn is a retired American football cornerback. He last played for the New Orleans Saints of the National Football League, although he joined the Houston Texans prior to retirement so he could retire with his former team. He was originally drafted by the New York Jets in the first...
and Marcus Coleman
Marcus Coleman
Marcus Coleman is a former safety in the National Football League . Coleman played college football at Texas Tech. He was signed by the Dallas Cowboys as a free agent on April 18, 2006, and was selected by the Houston Texans in the 2002 NFL Expansion Draft and played with that team for three seasons...
. Despite posting a mediocre 7-9 record, the Texans were poised to start making an impact in the NFL after improving every season since their inception in 2002.
After three strong seasons with the Texans, Todd Grantham would accept an offer by Romeo Crennel
Romeo Crennel
Romeo Crennel is the former head coach of the Cleveland Browns and current defensive coordinator for the Kansas City Chiefs of the National Football League. Before becoming the head coach of the Browns, Crennel won three Super Bowls in four seasons as the defensive coordinator of the New England...
to become Defensive Coordinator of the Browns. After he left, the Houston Texans would fall apart as they posted a 2-14 record. Dom Capers was fired after the end of the season.
Cleveland Browns (2005-2007)
Todd Grantham's first year as coordinator of the Browns defense was an eclectic mix of good and bad.They once again fielded one of the NFL's top pass defenses, actually stepping up in rank from 5th to 4th in the NFL. When starting cornerback Gary Baxter
Gary Baxter
Gary Wayne Baxter is an American football defensive back who is currently a free agent. He was drafted by the Baltimore Ravens in the second round of the 2001 NFL Draft. He played college football at Baylor....
went down with a knee injury that ended his season, Leigh Bodden
Leigh Bodden
Leigh Edmond Bodden is an American football cornerback who is currently a free agent. He was originally signed by the Cleveland Browns as an undrafted free agent in 2003. He played college football at Duquesne....
emerged as a solid playmaker. Overall, their secondary continued to play at a high level.
They also ranked 11th in scoring defense despite possessing one of the leagues worst run defenses. Orpheus Roye would post a career high with 88 tackles and also make 3 sacks.
He was fired on January 11, 2008 after the 2007 season with the Brown's defense ranking 25th against the pass, 27th against the run, and 30th in total-yards-against among 32 teams.
Dallas Cowboys (2008-2009)
Grantham served as the defensive line coach for the Dallas Cowboys until the end of the season when he joined the coaching staff at the University of Georgia as defensive coordinator. During Grantham's 2 seasons with Dallas, the Cowboys improved from 13th (2007) to 2nd (2009) in the league in points allowed.Georgia Bulldogs (2010-present)
Grantham has installed a 3-4 defense3-4 defense
In American football, the 3–4 defense is a defensive alignment consisting of three down linemen and four linebackers.The 3–4 defense declined in popularity over the years, but has found renewed use by modern professional and college football teams. The 3–4 defense is so named because it involves 3...
. Despite breakdowns in coverage at times, the Bulldogs ranked 23rd nationally in total defense and 35th in scoring defense (22 points allowed per game). His defense also forced 26 takeaways, over twice as many as Georgia had in 2009 (12), and helped them move from 118th nationally in 2009 to 18th in 2010 in turnover margin.
Eleven games into the 2011 season, Georgia's defense under Grantham currently ranks 2nd nationally in rushing defense, 3rd in total yards allowed and and 4th in scoring defense (13.5 offensive points allowed per game). They are also leading the SEC in sacks (30) and tackles for loss (85).
External links
He is well known for giving a University of Florida placekicker the "choke" sign before attempting a field goal. He also had a run-in with Vanderbilt's head coach James Franklin after a closely contended ballgame in 2011.