With a new head coach on the job, the Philadelphia Eagles are reportedly eyeballing a pair of SEC coaches for their open defensive coordinator slot. Georgia defensive coordinator Todd Grantham and Florida defensive coordinator Dan Quinn have both been mentioned in connection with the job.
According to CSNPhilly.com, Grantham is the top choice to join new Eagles coach Chip Kelly as his D-coordinator. Kelly made a Pete Carroll-like escape to the NFL this week (as the NCAA posse circles Oregon’s program). Grantham just completed his third season as Mark Richt’s defensive coordinator.
Grantham came to Georgia from the National Football League in January, 2010 after a number of other candidates passed on joining the Bulldogs’ staff. In the NFL, he coached with the Cowboys, Browns, Texans and Colts. He also coached at Michigan State and Virginia Tech prior to this 1999-2009 stint in the pros.
Chip Towers of The Atlanta Journal-Constitution believes Grantham would take the job if offered because he remains “an NFL guy.” However, UGA athletic director Greg McGarity told The Athens Banner-Herald last night that Grantham — as of that point — had not informed the school of anyone making an approach toward him, something he’s required to do contractually.
Meanwhile, former SEC scribe and current NFL Network employee Ian Rapoport tweeted last night that both Grantham and Quinn are names to watch in Kelly’s search. The reason? “Both schooled in stopping spread offenses, both with NFL experience.”
ESPN’s Adam Schefter has also heard Quinn’s name – along with Grantham’s — being tied to the Eagles’ opening.
Quinn has spent the past two years running Will Muschamp’s defense in Gainesville. He came to the Gators in January, 2011 from the NFL. From 2011 through 2001, Quinn coached with the Seahawks, Dolphins, and 49ers. Before his pro run, Quinn coached at William & Mary, VMI, and Hofstra.
Florida finished second in the SEC in total defense this past season. Georgia placed sixth in that category. They also finished second and sixth, respectively, in SEC scoring defense in 2012.
