Georgia defensive coordinator Todd Grantham is set to become the latest million-dollar man, a surprising valuation for an assistant coach who experienced more lows than highs in his four seasons with the Bulldogs.
Grantham, the longtime defensive line coach with the Indianapolis Colts, Houston Texans and Dallas Cowboys along with a stint as the Cleveland Browns' defensive coordinator from 2005-07, is headed to Louisville on a five-year contract worth $1 million per season, ESPN.com reported Sunday.
Grantham's best work came in the 2011-12 seasons when UGA ranked in the top 25 nationally in scoring defense with units led by star linebackers Jarvis Jones and Alec Ogletree. A far less experienced 2013 group regressed to 78th out of 123 FBS teams in points allowed.
Grantham was also involved in an on-field blow-up with then-Vanderbilt head coach James Franklin in 2011 and made the choke sign at a Florida kicker during a 2010 game.
Add it all up, and the Cardinals have traded in one of the most respected coaching staffs in college football for one that is certainly easily mocked. Without immediate success as Louisville moves to the ACC, it could also be one of the most regrettably assembled.
Follow Dan Greenspan on Twitter @DanGreenspan.
