- Todd Grantham
Infobox NFL PlayerCoach
Name=Todd Grantham
|ImageWidth=180
Caption=Todd Grantham
DateOfBirth=birth date and age|1966|09|13
Birthplace=Pulaski, Virginia
DateOfDeath=
College=Virginia Tech
Position=Defensive Line
DraftedYear=
DraftedRound=
player=
years=
teams=
DatabaseFootball=
DatabaseFootballCoach=
Record=
Awards=
Championships=
coach=yes
coachingyears=1990-1995
1996-1998
1999-2001
2002-2004
2005-2007
2008-present
coachingteams=Virginia Tech Michigan State Indianapolis Colts Houston Texans Cleveland Browns Dallas Cowboys
SuperBowls=Todd Grantham (born September 13, 1966 in
Pulaski, Virginia ) is currently the defensive line coach for theDallas Cowboys of theNFL .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 Mora 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 duty's in Indianapolis, Grantham would move on to the newly formed
Houston Texans , joining the staff of formerPittsburgh Steelers Defensive Coordinator and InauguralCarolina Panthers head coachDom Capers . Grantham would be given lots of talent to work with from the start, as the Texans acquired Pro Bowl Defensive EndGary Walker and Nose Tackle Seth Payne from theJacksonville 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 LinebackerJamie Sharper , and Veteran Defensive BacksAaron Glenn andMarcus 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 there 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.Cleveland Browns (2005-2007)
Todd Grantham's first year as coordinator of the Browns defense was a 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 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.
His only real blunder was trying to convert pass rush specialist
Kenard Lang into a 3-4 linebacker. He would have trouble adapting to the new position and be released after season's end.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. [ [http://msn.foxsports.com/nfl/team?statsId=5 FOX Sports on MSN - NFL - Cleveland Browns Team Front ] ]
References
* [http://msn.foxsports.com/nfl/team?statsId=5]
* [http://www.clevelandbrowns.com/team/coaches.php?id=36 Cleveland Browns Profile]
Wikimedia Foundation. 2010.
