Earlier today, Thayer Evans and Pete Thamel of Sports Illustrated released a report stating that Bobby Petrino and Todd Grantham were having significant problems working together. Tonight, I called Todd Grantham to ask about his response to hearing of the report. First, have a look at what Sports Illustrated published earlier today:
Bobby Petrino says he’s changed. But in reporting a story about the new Louisville coach that is in SI’s college football preview, it appears Petrino is still just as difficult to work and play for. Sources with ties to the Cardinals’ football program and Petrino said there’s significant friction between Petrino and feisty defensive coordinator Todd Grantham. The two have feuded often since Grantham’s hiring in January.
So much that one source insists Petrino would have already gotten rid of Grantham if not for his guaranteed five-year contract that pays him nearly $1 million annually. He came to Louisville after four seasons as Georgia’s defensive coordinator. “He’s stuck with him,” a source said.
There’s also still lingering dissension among players about Petrino’s arrival. Some were so unhappy with Petrino’s frigid, explicit demeanor that they considered leaving early for the NFL’s supplemental draft in June according to one source.
“He’s a mean guy,” said Jamaine Brooks, a former Louisville defensive tackle who left this past spring. “He cusses you out. You’re never doing enough. He’s still Bobby Mother------- Petrino.”
Brooks initially supported Petrino’s hiring, which he quickly came to regret. “The way he came in doing business I didn’t like it,” Brooks said. “The way he treated people. He just wasn’t a good coach.”
I called Grantham tonight and got him in the car on his way home. Grantham said he had heard about the report earlier in the afternoon and "laughed it off". Grantham said there is nothing at all to the report, adding that he "is very happy here, my family is very happy here. Louisville is a great place...we're just getting started here." When I asked him about staff chemistry Grantham said, "...this is probably one of the best camps I've ever been in".
I asked Grantham if Sports Illustrated, who is "reporting a story about the new Louisville coach", reached out to him either in person or via phone for a comment before posting the report. Grantham, "No one's asked me for a comment or even questioned me on anything like that...I laughed it off and moved on."
Listen to the full interview with Todd Grantham below.