Top 25 Buckeyes of the Decade: #1 Troy Smith

August 30, 2010

By Jim

The Buckeye Battle Cry will be counting down the Top 25 players of the past decade all spring/summer. Every Monday and Thursday, Jim will be announcing a new player. Our #1 player will be presented on Monday, August 30th. Three days later, the 2010 season officially begins. To view the previous entries in our Top 25, click here.


Troy Smith (2004-2006)

They could make a movie about Troy Smith’s journey at Ohio State. From an athlete who struggled to find a position on the team to a Heisman winning quarterback, the path Smith took was incredible, and there were many ups and downs along the way.

Troy’s transformation from an athlete into a quarterback was almost as drastic as his transformation from an immature college student into one of the best leaders to ever play at Ohio State.

Smith had a few run ins with trouble (including accepting illegal benefits that resulted in a two game suspension) but he learned from them and grew from them like only a true champion could.

When his time came to an end in Columbus, you could hardly tell the difference between Smith and coach Tressel in their demeanor and the way they handled themselves in front of the press. The transformation was a thing to behold, and just another reason why Troy was a fan favorite.


They never did catch him. 3-0

Troy started his career at quarterback by losing a head to head competition with Justin Zwick to replace Craig Krenzel. However, in the first of many instances of staying committed to the team and committed to getting better, Troy persevered and when the sputtering 2004 team needed a spark, Troy was there to jump start the offense.

Smith capped off the 2004 season with one of the best performances ever by a Buckeye against Michigan, leading the team to an upset victory.

On that day in the middle of November, Troy had 145 yards rushing, 241 yards passing, and 3 TDs. It was truly a performance for the ages in the biggest game any Ohio State player will ever play.

Things were looking good for Troy Smith and the Buckeyes. The roller coaster was at the top of a hill, but it soon came crashing back down into a valley.

Right when Troy looked like he was ready to shine, he was suspended for the bowl game and the first game of the 2005 season for accepting illegal benefits. Smith and Ohio State fans came crashing back to earth.

The suspension resulted in some rough going at the beginning of an extremely promising 2005 season (losses to Texas and Penn State). Thankfully, once again, Troy responded like a champion, and by the end of the year Ohio State fielded one of the best teams to ever wear scarlet and gray.

Troy led the 2005 team to an amazing comeback victory in Ann Arbor (2-0), and smashed Notre Dame in the Fiesta Bowl. Troy Smith had once again taken Ohio State and its fans to the top.

The team and Smith rode the momentum they built at the end of 2005 and went wire to wire as the #1 team in the land in 2006. The ride from the end of the 2005 season all the way through the 2006 season were great days for Ohio State, and Smith led some of the best teams to victories in some of the greatest games to ever be played by the Buckeyes.

Victories at #2 Texas in the beginning of the year and against #2 Michigan in an epic battle for the ages at the end of the year were the crown jewels of Troy’s time in Columbus.

Troy had arguably the best year ever for a quarterback at Ohio State in 2006, and ultimately won the Heisman Trophy, capping off a perfect regular season with a bang.

He became only the second starting quarterback to lead Ohio State to three straight victories over Michigan, and he was primed to lead Ohio State to the second National Championship under Jim Tressel.

Unfortunately, the roller coaster ride hit a serious drop in the desert that year, and the embarrassment that resulted still lingers for Ohio State fans to this day.

Smith was drafted in the 5th round of the 2007 NFL Draft by the Baltimore Ravens. He has remained a back-up throughout his time in the NFL, but continues to persevere and wait for his chance at a starting job.

There are many record book stats that we could get into, but to keep things brief, Troy Smith was one of the most prolific passers ever at Ohio State, and one of the winningest quarterbacks as well.

In the absence of a few serious speed bumps (suspension following 2005 season, disaster in Glendale) he would be the greatest quarterback to play at Ohio State without a doubt.

As it is, he is one of the greatest ever, and extremely deserving of being named the top player of the last decade.

For his dynamic play on the field, for his Tessel-esque leadership off the field, for captaining the most prolific offense of the decade, for 3-0 against that school up north, for demolishing Notre Dame, for the best single game offensive performance ever in The Game, for the Heisman Trophy and many other national honors, and for being a truly great and legendary Buckeye, Troy Smith is #1 on our countdown of the top 25 Buckeyes of the past decade.

I am sure I am missing some things that made Troy great, so feel free to share your own favorite memories. It is remarkable how far Troy Smith progressed during his time in Columbus, and unfortunate how that time ended.

Smith’s legacy lives on, however, and I would argue that Terrelle Pryor chose Ohio State based on the journey that Troy Smith made. Pryor has the opportunity to become the third quarterback to lead Ohio State to three straight victories over Michigan, following in Troy’s footsteps, and the 2010 offense is arguably the most talented since that epic 2006 squad.

So as the season approaches, let’s think fondly of Troy Smith’s time with the Buckeyes, hope that Terrelle Pryor can come close to that standard, and most of all, hope for a better ending to the story.

The 2010 season is here, Go Bucks!

MORTGAGE BROKER: Todd Grantham keeps his business face on during billable hours

Georgia defensive coordinator Todd Grantham is the consummate teacher on the field, acting as more of a father figure behind the scenes. He also serves as Mark Richt’s rambunctious alter-ego on the sidelines.

By RACHEL G. BOWERS

August 26, 2010

In just seven months, Todd Grantham’s impact on the Georgia defense is undeniable.

In just seven months, he has gained the trust of his players.

In just seven months, he has earned the ultimate title from his players.

“He’s like a father figure,” safety Bacarri Rambo said. “I feel like I can go to him and talk to him about stuff that’s not related to football. Like if I’m having a family problem or school problem, I can go to his office and he always talks to me and [tells] me to come to his office and talk to him about my personal problems and stuff.”

Georgia’s defensive coordinator, who was hired Jan. 15, has managed to cultivate worthwhile relationships with his student-athletes and has played a significant role in their lives on a day-to-day basis since arriving in Athens.

Achieving that was something Grantham considered essential when he made the decision to accept his new job — returning to the college game after 11 years coaching in the NFL.

“That’s one of the reasons I wanted to be in college football, because I do think you can affect a young man’s life at this age. I enjoy being around players. If a player is going to go out and give you everything he’s got, I think trust is important there,” Grantham said. “I do think you have to do what’s best for the player, as a coach.”

Cornerback Brandon Boykin said Grantham is ferocious and impassioned in motivating his players to perform on the field, but Grantham’s off-the-field persona is quite contrasting, though he still remains a mentor in both arenas.

“Outside the field, he’s a great person. Not even a coach. You wouldn’t view him as a coach,” Boykin said. “He’s just someone you can talk to. Sit down and talk to about anything — sports or girls or anything like that. I feel like that’s the type of relationship you really want with your coach outside of football.”

With his office door always open and his text message inbox full of messages from his players, the accessible Grantham established a strong level of comfort and trust with his student athletes from his very first day on campus.

The Pulaski, Va. native came in as a straight shooter, while using sincerity to lay a solid foundation.

“The first meeting we had, he came in straightforward. He said, ‘On the field, I’m going to be a [disciplinarian], and we’re going to play aggressive. But other than that, we’re going to have fun.’ And that’s something he emphasized,” senior linebacker Darryl Gamble said. “That’s something that we’ve been trying to go along with.”

The Virginia Tech alumnus has created the perfect balance between fiery, on-the-field leader and compassionate, off-the-field mentor.

Grantham’s clear-cut, distinct approach to taking over the defensive side of the program allowed him to efficiently introduce and install a new 3-4 scheme to
Georgia’s defense, while simultaneously fusing bonds between he and his players on a personal level.

“Coach Grantham, you know, anytime you can just call him or text him, he’s there. He always responds even on the field, off the field,” safety Jakar Hamilton said. “He’s always the teacher at every position. He expects a lot out of us at all times. He’s trying to make sure we get the best of everything.”

Just as Grantham’s demeanor on and off the field fall into equilibrium with one another, his game time coaching style also balances out with that of his boss, head coach Mark Richt.

Though Richt is infamous for maintaining a cool head during pressure situations on the field, Grantham brings another facet of emotion to the Georgia sideline — obvious, unbridled intensity.

“They pretty much seem to balance each other out. Coach Richt is more of a laid back kind of guy. He’s going to make his points, but he’s not going to make them as loudly as Coach Grantham would,” linebacker Cornelius Washington said. “That’s Coach Richt’s personality and Coach Grantham has his, and he’s going to be a little bit more intense.”

Grantham’s ability to light a flame under his defense coupled with his resolve to ensure the connections with his players remain steady has made for a fast-moving, fulfilling first seven months. And with the season opener just a week away, Grantham said he wants to be able to keep the lines of communication open to discuss and improve on the bad as well as celebrate the good.

“[Players] have to trust that you believe in them and that you’re looking out for their best interest,” Grantham said. “I think it’s just about treating each person with the respect that you would want as a player and just trying to get to know your players and always communicate with them.”

TODD GRANTHAM’S ROAD TO GEORGIA

• 1990-96 — Virginia Tech
graduate assistant, defensive line coach last two seasons under Frank Beamer

• 1996-98 — Michigan State
defensive line coach under Nick Saban, served as assistant head coach in 1998

• 1999-2001 — Broke into NFL coaching ranks as defensive line coach for the Indianapolis Colts under Jim Mora

• 2002-04 — Hired as defensive line coach on the inaugural staff of the Houston Texans

• 2005-07 — Became defensive coordinator for the first time in his career for the Cleveland Browns under Romeo Crennel

• 2008-09 — After three less-than-stellar seasons in Cleveland, stepped down to defensive line coach under Wade Phillips for the Dallas Cowboys

Turning sleepless nights into happy days

August 26, 2010

By Joe Scalzo

YSU football coach Eric Wolford has spent the last eight months treating every day like he’s preparing for a big job interview.

It isn’t a great approach if you want to catch up on your sleep but it’s pretty helpful in building a program.

“If you’ve got a big job interview tomorrow and it’s your dream job, I don’t know that too many people are going to sleep very well,” he said. “I’ve got my dream job every day, so my mind just constantly goes.

“That’s why you have to keep note pads by your bed. When you wake up, you write something down and hope you can go back to sleep.”

His offensive coordinator, Shane Montgomery, understands. After three years as the offensive coordinator at Miami (Ohio) — where he coached Ben Roethlisberger — he was promoted to head coach in 2004.

“You think you’re prepared,: said Montgomery, who went 17-31 from 2004-08. “But it’s not until you’re thrown into that seat that you realize, ‘I can’t let up. It’s my program now and I’ve got to kind of put my stamp on the program and do things way I want to do it.”

Wolford, an Ursuline High graduate, was a four-year starter at guard for Kansas State coach Bill Snyder, who in 1989 took over a team that had just been named “Futility U” by Sports Illustrated. Wolford was a member of Snyder’s first recruiting class, helping the Wildcats perform one of the most remarkable turnarounds in college football history. Wolford’s senior year, the Wildcats won their first bowl game, beating Wyoming in the 1993 Copper Bowl.

That stint, combined with a year as a graduate assistant, taught Wolford how to build a successful foundation.

“A lot of the things we do here, structurally and the foundation that we’re trying to lay here, is what Coach Snyder did at Kansas State,” said Wolford. “What he did there, it’s been documented, it’s the greatest turnaround in college football.

“There’s some similarities to what we have to do here.”

Wolford hasn’t been shy about his belief that the program has underachieved in recent years. He often references Jim Tressel’s success and believes YSU can reach those heights again.

It’s the biggest reason he took the job after spending much of his career climbing the Division I ranks.

“Some of my friends and people I know, their first head coaching jobs were at places that have never won,” Wolford said. “I think about Coach Snyder when he took over Kansas State. They had never won a bowl game and had the longest losing record in college football.

“That’s the exciting part about being here. We can win.”

Wolford is known as a relentless recruiter, something that was on display early when he assembled his coaching staff.

Although most of his assistants have a Football Bowl Subdivision (I-A) background, one of his best hires was receivers coach and recruiting coordinator Phil Longo, who spent the last two seasons as the offensive coordinator at Southern Illinois.

“Wolf is as direct and honest a guy as I’ve coached with,” said Longo, who helped the Salukis go 15-1 in the conference the past two years. “When they say he’s extremely passionate about the game, they’re not lying. He has the answers to a lot of things and when he doesn’t, he’s very humble about it and he’ll go find the answer.

“So for me, that’s his strength right now.”

Longo said the players and coaches always know what Wolford expects, which makes it easier for them to do their jobs.

“There’s never any confusion or gray area about what needs to get done,” he said.

Wolford also asks his assistants for input, starting each day with a staff meeting to make sure everyone is on the same page.

“I think he’s done a really good job of asking people’s opinions,” said Montgomery. “When you’re a head coach, you’re only as good as your assistants.

“You realize that we’re all in this together.”

And to be successful, Montgomery said, you have to find the style that fits you best.

“He’s learned there are ways to do things differently,” he said. “Things that Bill Snyder did that made him successful are different than what Steve Spurrier [at South Carolina] did. And Ron Zook [at Illinois] and Mike Stoops [at Arizona].”

The best approach, Montgomery said, it to take the best of what you’ve learned and make the job your own.

“I think you try to do what’s best for you and what’s best for your personality, because all head coaches are different,” he said. “Ultimately you have to get your team to do things right on and off the field.”

Oh, and one more thing, Montgomery said:

“You’ve got to win.”