After a two-day interview process with the Cincinnati Bengals Todd Grantham plans to return to his job at the University of Florida, sources have told Gator Country. Harrison Tenzer was the first to report the story.
After 16 seasons the Bengals parted ways with head coach Marvin Lewis. The team replaced Lewis with Zac Taylor, who was the Los Angeles Rams Quarterbacks coach in 2018. Taylor zeroed in on Grantham this week to be his defensive coordinator, according to reports.
Sources: The #Bengals have narrowed their defensive coordinator search to focus on #Florida DC Todd Grantham, and he’s back in the building this morning. The only question is, can the #Bengals and new coach Zac Taylor pull him away from UF.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) February 13, 2019
Additionally Fletcher Page of the Cincinnati Enquirer reported that the Bengals’ defensive coordinator job was Grantham’s if he wanted it.
Grantham currently has two years remaining on his contract with the Gators. He is slated to make $1.5 million as Florida’s defensive coordinator during the 2019 season, then $1.5 million in 2020. Grantham came to Florida with Dan Mullen after spending just one season as Mullen’s defensive coordinator at Mississippi State. Grantham has moved around a lot during his career.
Sources told Gator Country that Grantham’s family played a large role in his decision to stay in Gainesville. Grantham’s son Corbin is a junior at Buchholz High School in Gainesville and plays on the baseball and football teams there.
Florida’s defense saw a surge under Grantham’s direction. Florida led the nation in fourth quarter opponent passing efficiency (66.25) and were second in fourth quarter opponent completion percentage. The Gators’ 26 takeaways led the SEC and were 11th in the nation. Florida’s 37 sacks were the most from a Gator team since 2015.
Grantham was also critical in the recruitment of several of Florida’s defensive signees in 2019 including Chris Steele, Mohamoud Diabate, Kaiir Elam and Khris Bogle.