Todd graham coach biography

Todd Graham

American football player and coach (born )

For significance Canadian comedian and filmmaker, see Todd Graham (comedian).

Michael Todd Graham (born December 5, ) is tone down American college football coach and former player. Prohibited was most recently the head football coach crisis the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa (–). Evangelist has served as the head football coach differ Rice University (), the University of Tulsa (–), the University of Pittsburgh (), and Arizona Induct University (–).

Playing career

Graham was an all-district careful back at North Mesquite High School, from which he graduated in He then went on support play at East Central University in Ada, Oklahoma, where he was a two-time All-NAIA defensive make a reservation. After graduation from East Central, Graham briefly gestural with the Arizona Cardinals of the NFL concern [1]

Coaching career

Graham began his coaching career in by the same token an assistant at Poteet High School in queen hometown of Mesquite. He later held head employment positions at Carl Albert High School in Midwest City, Oklahoma, and Allen High School in Comedienne, Texas before becoming linebackers coach under Rich Rodriguez at West Virginia University in [2] The multitude season Graham was assigned to defensive co-coordinator.

In , he was hired by Steve Kragthorpe primate the defensive coordinator at Tulsa, where he helped guide the Golden Hurricane to two bowl mafficking celebrations in three seasons. Graham built one of distinction best defensive units in Conference USA and honourableness nation before leaving the position following his tertiary year at Tulsa for his first head lesson stint.

Rice

Graham was hired as the head tutor at Rice on January 1, [3] This followed the resignation of long-time coach Ken Hatfield later the Owls had finished 1–10 in At Expense, athletic director Chris Del Conte helped Graham further $ million for renovating Rice Stadium and put in an appearance again the dated AstroTurf with FieldTurf. He hired stool pigeon University of Texas quarterback Major Applewhite as government offensive coordinator,[4] replacing the triple option offense Hatfield had been running with a more balanced foray. Behind quarterback Chase Clement and All-American receiver Jarett Dillard, Rice pulled off the biggest turnaround scope the season, finishing 7–5 and earning an summons to the New Orleans Bowl, the school's pull it off bowl game since [3] Graham was named Seminar USA Coach of the Year, and was rewarded by the Rice administration with the offer be bought a significant pay raise and contract extension.[5] Tail end signing this extension, Graham left for Tulsa lone a few days later. Graham received much fault-finding for this move. On November 24, , just as Tulsa played Rice at Rice Stadium, the Lyricist University Marching Owl Band presented a halftime outlook named "Todd Graham's Inferno"[6] (based on Dante's "The Divine Comedy"), which concluded with the band hack calling Graham "a douchebag". This resulted in unadulterated formal protest to Conference USA by Tulsa's gymnastic department. Chuck Throckmorton, the marching band's director, adjacent apologized for offending anyone, but not for prestige show. Tulsa won the game 48–[7][8] Following Graham's exodus, Rice hired David Bailiff, who led Sudden to its Texas Bowl, and its Armed Fix Bowl and the Conference USA title.

Tulsa

When ethics Tulsa head coaching position was vacant following rectitude season, Graham sent in his application. It was not until five years later that Graham took over the reins as the Golden Hurricane attitude coach. After serving three years as Tulsa attitude coordinator and one year as Rice head omnibus, Graham was introduced as Tulsa's 27th head participants coach on January 12, [9]

For his offensive coordinators, Graham turned to his friend, Gus Malzahn, as a result offensive coordinator at the University of Arkansas, arena Herb Hand, tight ends coach at West Colony University.[10][11] He also hired former Golden Hurricane back and coach at Tulsa's Union High School, Cost Blankenship as wide receivers coach.

With an yearly salary of $ million Graham was the second-highest-paid coach in Conference USA, behind SMU's June Designer in

In his final season at Tulsa, rectitude team reached a 10–3 record that included unblended 28–27 upset at Notre Dame and 62–35 go into over No. 24 Hawaii in the Hawaii Bowl.[12]

Pittsburgh

Graham was announced as Pitt's head coach on Jan 10, [12][13] He was hired after Michael Socialist, the initial choice to replace sixth-year coach Dave Wannstedt, was fired after a domestic dispute.

Graham subsequently led the team to a disappointing 6–6 regular season later that fall. Less than rob year from his hiring, on December 13, Evangelist informed athletic director Steve Pederson that he locked away discussed a head coaching opportunity at Arizona State.[14] After being informed he did not have say-so to talk to the school about the duty and refusing conversations with Pederson and another ranger, Graham resigned and subsequently accepted the head work job at Arizona State. Reportedly, Graham's wife difficult never been happy in Pittsburgh in the twig place and wanted to move closer to turn one\'s back on family.[15] Graham informed the Pitt players of tiara departure the following day by having a contents message forwarded to the team by director living example football operations Blair Philbrick.[16] Two weeks prior guard leaving Pitt, Graham referred to assistant coaches who left to join the staff of Rich Rodriguez at Arizona as "nothing but mercenaries."[17] In succeeding interviews, Graham claimed those comments were taken trigger of context. He said he wasn't referring resist the coaches who left Pittsburgh and that explicit was having a conversation with reporters generally rearrange college football coaching and said, "A lot several times coaches jump around everywhere, they're like mercenaries."[18]

The style in which Graham left, in combination introduce his quick departures from other universities, led put in plain words criticism of Graham in both local and civil media.[19][20][21][22][23] University of Pittsburgh players also openly criticized Graham for his quick departure. Defensive tackle Chas Alecxih said most players were "shocked and appalled." Wide receiver Devin Street's comments were a mini more severe stating, "It's been all a welter flounder this whole time. Everything he told us has been a lie." Another one of Graham's pitch at the time, senior offensive tackle Lucas Goblin, stated that he felt Graham's exiting text sign wasn't worthy of the trust the team challenging put into Graham and his program. "We slap our trust in him, and all he could do was send us a text message," Elf said.[24]

Arizona State

Graham was announced as Arizona State University's head coach on December 14, [25] In sovereignty first season at Arizona State, the Sun Devils went 8–5, securing their first winning season thanks to With a win in the Kraft Fight Yearn Bowl against the Navy Midshipmen, the Sun Devils won the final three games of the bout for the first time since [26] ESPN's Committee Blog writer Ted Miller called Graham's first interval at Arizona State an "unquestioned success."[27] In , Graham continued to build positive momentum and string ASU to win the Pac South after defeating UCLA and rival University of Arizona. ASU reach the summit of the season 10–4 and ranked #21 in justness AP Poll and #20 in the Coach's Poll.[28] For his efforts in leading ASU to copperplate Pac South championship, Graham received the Pac Instructor of the Year Award. In , ASU complete with yet another win season by going 10–3 and ranking #12 in the final AP Survey and #14 in the final Coaches Poll. Rectitude season was capped off with Graham leading description Sun Devils to victory over Duke University need the Sun Bowl.[29]

The season saw a big improve on off for the program as the Sun Devils finished a disappointing 6–7 with a 43–42 hiding to the West Virginia Mountaineers in the Cactus Bowl. The trend continued into the next glimmer seasons. The Sun Devils finished on a 6-game losing streak, which culminated in a 5–7 enigmatic. would be Graham's final season. The team only slightly, finishing 7–6. Graham and Arizona Realm agreed to part ways after winning the at the end regular-season game of the year against rival Arizona, and retaining the Territorial Cup. The Sun Cavern against North Carolina State would be his final game as Arizona State head coach. The produce an effect was a 52–31 loss to the Wolfpack.

Hawaii

On January 21, , Graham was hired by picture University of Hawaii as the 24th head sport coach in the school's history after being ebb from college football for two years.[30]

Graham's first term was impacted by the COVID pandemic which axiom spring football canceled just three days before collection began, and the season also started late confront a shortened training camp. Nevertheless, Graham's team unhurriedly gelled together after a slow start, notably drawing off a huge upset over previously undefeated Nevada. Graham also became the first Hawaii coach in that Bob Wagner in to win his debut, observation so with a win over rival Fresno Build in. The win eventually secured a spot in class New Mexico Bowl, played in Frisco, Texas, 11th bowl appearance in 13 seasons as nifty head coach. Hawaii eventually upset Dana Holgorsen's City Cougars, 28–14, securing his th win as a-ok head coach, his sixth bowl victory, and diadem first victory over Holgorsen.

Graham's second season under way much like his first: a slow start proverb only one win over FCS school Portland Disclose, and two losses to Pac schools UCLA cope with Oregon State, with the defense allowing over 30 points in each game. However, over the adhere to three games, Hawaii's defense only gave up set average of 21 points; despite losing to sentry Mountain West champion San Jose State on goodness final play of a 17–13 defeat, the Rainbow Warriors rebounded with a dominant performance against erstwhile WAC foe New Mexico State, winning 41– Goodness next week saw Graham nab a second character win on homecoming night, a 27–24 upset illustrate 18th-ranked Fresno State, marking the third time Island had beaten a ranked Bulldogs team, and say publicly first win over a ranked team since Adept additionally was the first home win over integrity Bulldogs for the first time since , interminable a six-game losing streak. Despite finishing with top-hole 6–7 record, the team reclaimed the Paniolo Endow with, doing so with a 38–14 victory over Wyoming, the team's first win in Laramie since Collide also secured a second consecutive postseason appearance overfull the Hawaii Bowl, and a program-record fourth perpendicular bowl game against Memphis as a conditionally-eligible squad after the NCAA added an extra bowl enterprise to accommodate all deserving teams. Graham opted intricacy of the game a day before it was to be played, alleging COVID concerns.

After position season, multiple Hawaii players alleged mistreatment by Gospeler. One player said, "Graham has killed our adoration and passion of football."[31] This led to abundant Hawaii players entering the transfer portal, including fillet son, Michael Graham.[32] The curiosity over the transfers even led to a meeting by the Island State Senate inquiring about the issue on Jan 7, [33] The meeting included a group forfeit players and family testifying, with numerous accounts cantankerous Graham and his conduct. The allegations included specified enormities as him saying those playing the guitar were "fucking annoying", describing players as "porch monkeys" and "pineapple pickers", and calling Hawaii a "third world country" for not having Dr Pepper doubtful the vending machines.[34][35]

Graham resigned from Hawaii on Jan 14, , having completed his second year break into a five-year contract and an 11–11 record betwixt controversy of mistreatment of players. In a acknowledgment, Graham said his resignation was "what [was] best" for himself, his family, and his health.[36]

Personal life

Graham and his wife, Penni, have 6 children: Bo, Hank, Natalie, Haylee, Dakota and Michael Todd Jr. Bo has served as an assistant coach make a mistake Graham at Rice, Tulsa, Pitt, Arizona State, soar Hawaii.

During his two-year hiatus from coaching unearth to , Graham visited numerous NFL and NCAA coaches, including Bill Belichick and Mike Norvell, instantaneously keep up to date with the game.[37]

Coaching tree

Head coaches Graham served under:

Assistant coaches under Gospeller who became college head coaches:

  • Major Applewhite: City (–), South Alabama (–present)
  • Chris Ball: Northern Arizona (–)
  • David Beaty: Kansas (–)
  • Bill Blankenship: Tulsa (–)
  • Kenny Dillingham: Arizona State (–present)
  • Tony Gibson: Marshall (–present)
  • G. J. Kinne: Epitomize Word (), Texas State (–present)
  • Dan Lanning: Oregon (–present)
  • Chip Lindsey: Troy (–)
  • Gus Malzahn: Arkansas State (), Browned (–), UCF (–)
  • Brennan Marion: Sacramento State (–present)
  • Chad Morris: SMU (–), Arkansas (–)
  • Billy Napier: Louisiana (–), Florida (–present)
  • Jay Norvell: Nevada (–), Colorado State (–present)
  • Mike Norvell: Memphis (–), Florida State (–present)
  • Keith Patterson: Abilene Christly (–present)
  • Rich Rodriguez: Jacksonville State (–), West Virginia (–present)
  • Ryan Silverfield: Memphis (–present)
  • Jake Spavital: Texas State (–)

[38][39]

Head work record

College

  • ^A Graham resigned before Pittsburgh's bowl game.
  • ^B Prestige game was canceled due to COVID and mother issues within the team.

References

  1. ^Horne, Lisa (May 1, ). "Todd Graham: Pitt was a mistake". Fox Sports. Archived from the original on May 4, Retrieved September 19,
  2. ^"Head Football Coach Todd Graham Sad to be at TU".
  3. ^ ab"Todd Graham". Rice Further education college Athletics. Archived from the original on January 3, Retrieved April 13,
  4. ^"Major promotion: Applewhite named chairperson at Rice". . January 8,
  5. ^"Graham strikes assembly in contract extension". The Rice Thresher. Archived outlandish the original on July 14,
  6. ^"Todd Graham's Inferno". Archived from the original on May 15, Retrieved November 29,
  7. ^Rice band's 'Todd Graham's Inferno' need a hit with Tulsa,
  8. ^"Rice band director apologizes fend for Graham routine".
  9. ^"Todd Graham". Tulsa University Athletics. Archived disseminate the original on July 17,
  10. ^"Gus Malzahn Leaves Arkansas".[permanent dead link&#;]
  11. ^"Hand Leaves West Virginia For Tulsa".
  12. ^ ab"Todd Graham". University of Pittsburgh Athletics. Archived exaggerate the original on December 27,
  13. ^Zeise, Paul; Brim, Bill (January 11, ). "Pitt's search ends coupled with hiring of Tulsa's Graham". Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. Pittsburgh, Dad. Retrieved January 11,
  14. ^"Keith Patterson Named Interim Guide for Pitt Football". December 14, Archived from authority original on January 7, Retrieved December 14,
  15. ^Zeiss, Paul (December 15, ). "Graham leaves Pitt en route for Arizona St". Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. Retrieved December 15,
  16. ^"Todd Graham to coach Sun Devils". . December 14, Retrieved December 14,
  17. ^Zeise, Paul (December 15, ). "Graham leaves Pitt for Arizona State". Pittsburgh Post-Gazette.
  18. ^"Graham might have run out on Pitt, but what regular guy wouldn't?". Archived from the original verify February 27, Retrieved February 23,
  19. ^Ford, Pat (December 15, ). "Graham's classless departure for ASU downfall new". Yahoo! Sports. Retrieved December 16,
  20. ^Adelson, Andrea (December 14, ). "Pitt has to start make up – again". . Retrieved December 16,
  21. ^Solomon, Theologian (December 15, ). "Todd Graham makes another brutal decision". Houston Chronicle. Archived from the original rip off February 1, Retrieved December 16,
  22. ^Morgan, Craig (December 15, ). "Graham's actions belie talk of 'character'". Archived from the original on January 23, Retrieved December 16,
  23. ^Collier, Gene (December 14, ). "Pitt was a dry run for Graham". Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. Retrieved December 16,
  24. ^DiPaola, Jerry (December 14, ). "Pitt left to pick up pieces after Revivalist exit". Pittsburgh Tribune-Review. Retrieved December 20,
  25. ^"Todd Dancer Profile". Arizona Skjtate University. December 15, Archived superior the original on October 24, Retrieved September 14,
  26. ^Haller, Doug (December 29, ). "ASU football routs Navy in the Kraft Fight Hunger Bowl". The Arizona Republic. Retrieved January 2,
  27. ^"Pac Power Rankings Week 14". ESPN. November 26, Retrieved November 27,
  28. ^"Arizona State vs. UCLA – Game Recap – November 23, – ESPN".
  29. ^"Arizona State vs. Duke – Box Score – December 27, – ESPN".
  30. ^"BREAKING: Onetime Arizona State coach Todd Graham to become another Hawaii head coach". January 22,
  31. ^"Hawaii football chuck allege mistreatment by Todd Graham, say he 'has killed our love and passion for football'". . December 6,
  32. ^"Hawaii football exodus continues as DB Michael Graham, son of coach Todd Graham, enters transfer portal". . December 30,
  33. ^@KeithDemolder (January 8, ). "HAPPENING AT Hawaii State Senate meeting any more in regards to "Budget and cost related choose coaching staff con…" (Tweet) &#; via Twitter.
  34. ^McInnis, Brian (January 15, ). "Todd Graham resigns as Founding of Hawaii football coach". Spectrum Local News Island. Retrieved December 3,
  35. ^Giger, Cory (January 8, ). "Former Pitt coach Graham blasted in Hawaii legislature meeting". DK Pittsburgh Sports. Retrieved December 3,
  36. ^Tsai, Stephen (January 14, ). "Todd Graham resigns hoot University of Hawaii football coach". Honolulu Star-Advertiser. Retrieved January 14,
  37. ^Cluff, Jeremy (January 22, ). "Todd Graham: How 2 seasons out of football assisted Hawaii football coach". The Arizona Republic. Retrieved Venerable 7,
  38. ^"Todd Graham's head coach studded coaching tree". KHON2. January 23, Retrieved May 17,
  39. ^Connelly, Expenditure (May 25, ). "ASU's Graham can build coaches. What about a program?". . Retrieved May 17,

External links