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Grantham up for Michigan State job
JEFF SCHUDEL, Morning Journal Writer
11/14/2006
http://www.zwire.com/site/printerFriendly.cfm?brd=1699&dept_id=46370&newsid=17462049
BEREA -- Bill Cowher has had to deal with it and so has Brian Billick. No coach has had to deal with it in recent years as much as Bill Belichick.
Brain-drain on a coaching staff is part of the business, and it is something Romeo Crennel might have to cope with at the end of this season because Browns defensive coordinator Todd Grantham is a leading candidate to replace John L. Smith at Michigan State.
Smith has been told he will not be retained after the Spartans season ends Saturday in a game at Penn State. Michigan State is 4-7 overall and 1-6 in the Big Ten. This is the Spartans' third straight sub-.500 season.
''Todd's name has been thrown around about the Michigan State situation,'' Crennel said yesterday. ''I don't think it's on me to say whether they've contacted him or not. If they want to make an announcement, I'll let them make the announcement because it is their job.''
If an NFL team wanted to hire Grantham as a head coach it would need permission from the Browns, but Michigan State can contact Grantham directly, Crennel said. He said asking for permission would just be a formality.
Grantham has already been contacted by Michigan State, a source close to the situation said yesterday. He has not been formally interviewed but that process is expected to begin shortly.
Others considered to be prime contenders are Brian Kelly, the head coach at Central Michigan; Pat Shurmur, the quarterbacks coach of the Philadelphia Eagles; LSU defensive coordinator Bo Pelini and Florida defensive coordinator Charlie Strong.
Grantham has ties to Michigan State. He was the Spartans defensive line coach in 1996 and '97 and their assistant head coach/defensive line coach in 1998, all under Nick Saban, the head coach of the Miami Dolphins. Grantham moved on to the NFL as the Colts defensive line coach from 1999-2001 and had the same job with the Texans from 2002-2004 before the Browns hired him as defensive coordinator.
Saban remains a close friend of Spartans basketball coach Tom Izzo, an influential figure in Michigan State athletics. Saban, through Izzo, has endorsed Grantham, the source said.
Grantham helped his cause Sunday in Atlanta when the Browns held the high-scoring Falcons to one touchdown and two field goals in a 17-13 Browns triumph.
Though the record is 3-6, the Browns' defense has done its part by holding opponents to two or fewer touchdowns in six games. Five opponents have scored 19 or fewer points.
''We have some guys that will play very hard,'' Grantham said after the Browns beat Atlanta. ''They're very coachable. Basically, they execute the game plan. Going into the game, our whole deal was to stop the run, not let (tight end Alge Crumpler) beat us and force Michael Vick to throw the ball and keep him in the pocket.''
Reporters were given permission to interview Grantham after the game on the condition no questions were asked about Michigan State.
Vick was 16-of-40 passing and had a 43.4 passer rating Sunday. It was his worse passing day in a year.
The Browns rank 18th in overall defense. They are 30th vs. the run and sixth vs. the pass. They finished tied for 16th overall last year, Grantham's first as defensive coordinator. Despite the 4-12 record in 2004, the Browns were 15th in defense. The eight passing touchdowns allowed this season ties the Browns for fifth in the NFL.
''I think he's a good football coach,'' Crennel said. ''He's good for us. I like him a lot. What it will depend on is what he wants for his future, his aspirations. I think that's a big part of it.''
Michigan State has been a dead zone for coaches in recent years. The Spartans last went to the Rose Bowl as Big Ten champions in 1987. They last shared the Big Ten championship in 1990 in a four-way tie.
Michigan State has to compete with Michigan, Ohio State and Notre Dame for high school recruits.
