The University of Alabama at Birmingham Athletics
Mortensen Names Todd Grantham as Defensive Coordinator
1/7/2026 2:00:00 PM | Football
BIRMINGHAM – UAB Head Football Coach Alex Mortensen has named Todd Grantham as the Blazers' defensive coordinator. Grantham brings 35 seasons of coaching experience at the collegiate and professional levels and most recently served as defensive coordinator at Oklahoma State in 2025.
Prior to his time in Stillwater, Grantham spent two seasons as the defensive line coach for the New Orleans Saints. During his tenure in New Orleans, Grantham guided a young defensive line that showed significant development. Veteran Cameron Jordan continued to serve as the physical and emotional leader of the front four, while Carl Granderson blossomed on the opposite side, posting a career-high and team-best 8.5 sacks as part of a 78-tackle season. First-round draft pick Bryan Bresee recorded 4.5 sacks and six passes defended, the top totals by a rookie defensive tackle in Saints history.
Grantham joined the Saints after serving as an analyst at the University of Alabama in 2022. From 2018-21, he was the defensive coordinator at the University of Florida, where the Gators registered 65 takeaways from 2018-20, tied for 11th nationally during that span. Florida posted turnover margins of plus-12 in 2018 and plus-five in 2019, marking back-to-back seasons with a turnover margin of at least plus-five for the first time since 2014-15. The Gators also ranked in the nation's top 10 in sacks in both 2019 and 2020, leading the SEC each season.
Before his time in Gainesville, Grantham served as defensive coordinator at Mississippi State in 2017 and at Louisville from 2014-16. He first entered the college coordinator ranks at the University of Georgia in 2010, where he spent four seasons as defensive coordinator and outside linebackers coach, adding the title of associate head coach from 2012-13. In 2012, Grantham led a Bulldogs defense that helped Georgia earn its third 12-win season in program history. The unit allowed just 19 points over its final three SEC regular-season victories and posted six consecutive scoreless quarters. In 2011, Georgia ranked fifth nationally in total defense and interceptions, third in third-down defense, and seventh in forced turnovers, while leading the SEC.
Grantham also brings extensive NFL experience, spending 11 seasons as a defensive assistant. He served as defensive line coach for the Dallas Cowboys from 2008-09, helping the team to rank second in the NFL in scoring defense in 2009 and led the league with 59 sacks in 2008. Prior to Dallas, Grantham was Cleveland's defensive coordinator from 2005-07, guiding a Browns defense that ranked fourth in the NFL in pass defense in 2005 and helped the team improve from 4-12 to 10-6 in 2007.
He began his NFL coaching career as a defensive line coach with the Indianapolis Colts (1999-2001) and Houston Texans (2002-04).
Before entering the professional ranks, Grantham spent three seasons as defensive line coach at Michigan State (1996-98) under head coach Nick Saban, including one year as assistant head coach. He also spent six seasons at his alma mater, Virginia Tech (1990-95), coaching multiple defensive positions. In 1995, the Hokies ranked first nationally in rushing defense, fifth in scoring defense, and 10th in total defense.
Grantham played guard and tackle at Virginia Tech from 1984-88, earning second-team All-South and honorable mention All-America honors as a senior. He graduated with a bachelor's degree in sports management in 1989.
Grantham and his wife, Paige, have a son, Corbin, and a daughter, Olivia.
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