After interviewing, and being considered a top candidate according to various reports, for the defensive coordinator job on Zac Taylor's staff with the Bengals, source tells FootballScoop that Florida defensive coordinator Todd Grantham has decided to remain with the Gators.
Chris Low of ESPN tweeted this morning that he can confirm the report.
Back in January, Florida gave Grantham a raise to $1.8 million annually to make him one of the highest paid defensive coordinators in the country, and
Todd Grantham staying with Florida in part because Gators extended him with a raise in January to $1.8 mill making him 5th highest paid DC in the country. They did that before the Bengals stuff came up. UF very pre-emptive with deal, knowing teams would come calling.
— Pat Dooley (@pat_dooley) February 14, 2019
" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Pat Dooley tweeted earlier this morning that was one of the things that led him to return. His salary puts him behind Dave Aranda (LSU), Brent Venables (Clemson), Kevin Steele (Auburn), and Mike Elko (Texas A&M), and just slightly in front of Todd Orlando (Texas). Grantham joined Dan Mullen's Mississippi State staff in 2017, where he also held the assistant head coach title, and then left with Mullen for Gainesville for the 2018 season. Having just one season to implement his scheme in both Starkville and Florida can be tough, but the Gators finished this season in the top 20 in scoring defense, 28th in total defense, and 13th in passing defense, and his 2017 defense at Mississippi State made some major strides in one season under his leadership as well. With another year under his belt with the Gators defense, and a lot of talent returning things could improve even more. After spending much of his career coaching the defensive line in college and professional football, Grantham served as the defensive coordinator at Georgia (2010-13) and Louisville (2014-16), and did have one brief run as an NFL defensive coordinator with the Browns from 2005-07. Getting Grantham to return after being courted by the NFL is a big score for Dan Mullen, who will have some continuity on defense after a 10-3 first-season at the helm. Granthamr returning is a big win for the Gators. As always, stay tuned to The Scoop for the latest.