Report: Chip Kelly pursuing Georgia’s Todd Grantham for same role with Philadelphia Eagles

georgiagamedayr | January 16, 2013 at 11:14 pm | 4 Comments

Georgia Bulldogs defensive coordinator Todd Grantham on the sidelines in the first half against the South Carolina Gamecocks at Williams-Brice Stadium. (Daniel Shirey-USA TODAY Sports)

Chip Kelly shocked the sports’ world on Wednesday afternoon when it was announced he had decided to leave Oregon after all, choosing to take on the vacant head coaching position with the Philadelphia Eagles.

Now, according to NBC Sports, Kelly already has his preferred defensive coordinator picked out. Current Georgia Bulldogs defensive coordinator Todd Grantham is reportedly the frontrunner for the same position with Philadelphia.

Grantham’s Bulldogs looked like legends at times in 2012, but definitely got burned at others. The same defense featuring soon-to-be NFL first round picks Jarvis Jones, Alec Olgetree and John Jenkins held Vanderbilt to three points and Florida to nine. However, his unit also gave up 35 to South Carolina and 24 to Kentucky, the second-most the Wildcats scored all year.

He joined the Bulldogs’ staff in 2010 after spending time in both college and the NFL. He spent his first eight seasons coaching Virginia Tech and Michigan before departing for the big leagues. The Virginia Tech alum then spent time with the Colts, Houston Texans (inaugural staff), Cleveland Browns and the Dallas Cowboys.

Should Grantham once again make the leap to the NFL, he will be entirely responsible for the Eagles’ underachieving defense. Grantham has always been known as a great teacher as well as tactician, which is why Kelly is trying to bring him aboard. Kelly has earned national recognition as an offensive mastermind, but his defensive acumen has sorely lacked in his four years at Oregon. His defense ranked 34th in the nation in 2010, and that was the highest it ever ranked during his tenure.