Whether Todd Grantham remains Georgia’s defensive coordinator or not, Davin Bellamy is going to remain with the Bulldogs. He has no choice about that.
But it’s clear that Bellamy’s mother, Bridgett Bellamy, is not very happy about the events of the last 48 hours. Ms. Bellamy said she was assured Tuesday night and again Wednesday morning (National Signing Day) that Grantham would be Davin’s position coach at UGA.
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However, Grantham was in New Orleans on Thursday interviewing for the Saints’ defensive coordinator’s position. Asked Thursday if she was unhappy with that development, Ms. Bellamy paused and chose her words carefully.
“Hmmm, I have thoughts about it but for the protection of my son I’m going to say no comment,” she said. “Right now I’m in mother’s mode and I’m just going to say no comment.”
Not that the Bellamys would have any recourse. Bellamy signed a letter-of-intent to attend UGA on an athletic grant-in-aid during a news conference at Chamblee High late Wednesday morning. NCAA rules are very explicit when it comes to that. A prospective student-athlete signs with the school, not any particular coaches. So Bellamy would have to sit out a year via the NCAA’s transfer policy if he chose to go elsewhere at this point.
And he’s not looking to do that.
“There’s not much you can do now,” Ms. Bellamy said. “Davin has already signed his letter and he’s going to UGA to play college football. At this point, if Grantham is there, he’s there. If he’s not then Davin will be there playing for the coach that takes Grantham’s place. That’s the facts as they are.”
Asked if she felt like they were misled in anyway, Ms. Bellamy grew quiet again. “No comment,” she said. “I think you understand.”
“Georgia is a wonderful school,” she said. “And I’m a firm believer in what God has for you is for you. What He has for Davin is going to be what happens for Davin, whether Grantham is there or is whatever coach is there.”
Three players who Grantham had a big hand in getting to sign with Bulldogs are already enrolled in school at UGA. They, too, are watching the development with interest.
“Coach Grantham played a big part in my recruitment,” said Reggie Wilkerson, a cornerback from Citra, Fla. “I want him to stay. We’ve done a good job the past couple of years, so I think it’d be good for him to stay. But I’m not really bothered by it. I guess you could saying I’m being educated about it. It’s something I’m not really going to worry about. I want all the coaches to stay here but it’s not up to me.”
Noseguard Chris Mayes, a junior college transfer from Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College by way of Griffin, has been affected twice by coaching transience. He said Rodney Garner, who is now at Auburn, was his primary recruiter and Grantham was the Georgia coach who offered him his scholarship.
“Coaching is like a business, so you know coaches leave,” Mayes said. “I came here for the school from the beginning, so I kept my commitment and stayed faithful to my school. But, I mean, they’re two great coaches, so it wasn’t a shock or anything. At the same time, you’ve got to move on.”
Quincy Mauger, a safety out of Kell High School, is another midyear enrollee who said Grantham was a big reason he wanted to play for the Bulldogs.
“I just came here to be a Bulldog and compete,” Mauger said. “Whatever he does with his talent in coaching, I wish him the best. I hope he does stay with us, though. If he does stay, that’d be good for us.”
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