STARKVILLE — In Todd Grantham’s first months as Mississippi State’s defensive coordinator, the program has learned there are two versions of him. There’s the Grantham often captured by television cameras, roaming the sidelines with intensity oozing from every pore, then the one in the meeting room that’s far from menacing.
MSU likes them both.
In a sense, the dichotomy of Grantham gives MSU exactly what it wants in a defensive coordinator: the attitude to lead the style of defense it wants to play and the off-field man players want to play for.
“Before the interview, the Todd Grantham I knew was the guy I see on the sidelines on game day, the pretty fiery guy and maybe even controversial at times,” MSU head coach Dan Mullen said. “I loved the fire, energy and passion he had, but then when I met him I saw that was a competitive passion coming out of him. Him as a teacher, him as an instructor, it’s slightly different.
“Sometimes they look and see this one glimpse of somebody, but our players see an excellent football coach that knows how to teach the game and get players in the right position that’s also going to hold them to a high standard. That’s why players have a very different feel for him.”
What MSU is experiencing is trademark Grantham, as confirmed by a former linebacker of his at Georgia.
Matthew DeGenova’s career spanned from 2008-2011, the final two years of it under Grantham as the associate head coach, defensive coordinator and outside linebackers coach. Not only does DeGenova echo the exact portrait of playing for Grantham put forth by MSU, he enjoyed the contrast in Grantham’s demeanor.
“Off the field he’s just a really normal guy, easy to get along with, telling stories,” DeGenova said. “Once he gets on the field or on the sidelines, the switch flips and he’s one of the most competitive people. He’s pretty intense when it comes down to it.
“I enjoy that. It’s hard to be intense all the time, sometimes it’s draining when you have this intense pressure on you. It’s nice to have someone you feel like you can have a conversation with, ask you how life’s going outside of football. It’s refreshing and I think that’s something he took from the NFL, building those relationships.”
DeGenova referenced Grantham’s 11-year sabbatical in the NFL after nine years in college before it and this beginning his eighth season since. Grantham worked for the Colts, Texans, Browns and Cowboys, reaching the height of a three-year stint as the Browns’ defensive coordinator.
In describing the phenomenon himself, Grantham didn’t reference his time in the NFL but did shed light into why maintaining his different demeanors is of such importance to him.
“I think it’s important to get to know the whole person. I think that helps you in coaching, learning how guys learn and what guys are going through,” Grantham said. “If guys believe in you and what you’re doing and know you have their best interest at heart, they’re going to play. Once you have that belief, that’s a powerful tool. Guys can continue to push through many barriers that they’ve never been through before; if you know you have the confidence of the guys around you, they’ll take that step they’ve never taken before.”
By the sound of it, Grantham’s current players are on their way to that level of trust.
“I love him, his energy, his enthusiasm,” defensive lineman Jeffery Simmons said. “He has a feeling for his players. Getting to know him was kind of easy, but we are still trying to get him.”
For all of Grantham’s softer aspects away from the field, they don’t take away from the fire on the field. Safety J.T. Gray said just as much — “When he’s on the field, he’s in your face.” — and Mullen likes it that way.
“I want people, when they watch your defense play, I want to have an intimidating defense,” Mullen said. “When you’re led by a guy that is that way, that’s the way your defense is going to play.
“When we play somebody and their offensive kids are still in the cold tub two days later, that’s Mississippi State defense.”
Follow Dispatch sports writer Brett Hudson on Twitter @Brett_Hudson
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