Todd Grantham

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Todd Grantham
Image:Todd grantham.jpg Todd Grantham
Place of birth	Pulaski, Virginia
Position(s)	Defensive Coordinator
College	Virginia Tech
Team(s) as a coach/administrator
1990-1995 1996-1998 1999-2001 2002-2004 2005-Present	Virginia Tech Michigan State Indianapolis Colts Houston Texans Cleveland Browns

Todd Grantham (born September 13, 1966 in Pulaski, Virginia) is the defensive coordinator for the Cleveland Browns of the NFL.

1 Virginia Tech (1990-1995)
2 Michigan State (1996-1998)
3 Indianapolis Colts (1999-2001)
4 Houston Texans (2002-2004)
5 Cleveland Browns (2005-present)
6 References

[edit] 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.

[edit] 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.

[edit] 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.

[edit] 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 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 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.

[edit] Cleveland Browns (2005-present)

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.

With the added pressure of second year quarterback Charlie Frye taking the helm of an already youthful offense, there are high expectations on Grantham's unit to improve and to help give Frye the safety net he needs to develop into a great quarterback.