STARKVILLE — Matthew DeGenova knows when it is Todd Grantham’s time to shine.
In two years as a linebacker at Georgia, DeGenova had an opportunity to see Grantham deliver 27 pre-game speeches to the Bulldogs.
“Those were something to look forward to,” he said.
The former defensive coordinator at Georgia likely will get a chance to give one of those talks in his current capacity as Mississippi State’s defensive coordinator Saturday prior to the season opener against Charleston Southern at Davis Wade Stadium.
Grantham, who came to MSU from Louisville in January, has spent 10 seasons as a defensive coordinator. He has more than 25 years of experience as a coach in college and in the NFL, so he knows how much time and energy goes into preparing a defense, which is why he likes to give his speeches before the game.
“I’m a passionate guy about my job and how we play, and I want our players to play with that kind of passion,” Grantham said. “If I’m going to ask them to give all they got and play with passion and energy, I have to be on the same level with them.
“You’re going to scheme people, but at the same time it’s going to come down to beating blocks and playing with mental and physical toughness, energy, and those things, and I like to make sure they all understand how important that stuff is. We like to get that point across.”
Grantham does so in a high energy way that’s noticed. DeGenova told The Dispatch it was a regular occurrence for offensive players to make their way across the locker room to listen to Grantham’s speeches.
Grantham said his son, Corbin, who is a sophomore safety for Starkville High School, has been in the room for some of his pregame speeches.
Corbin’s response? “Dad, wow.”
Coach Grantham goes mostly without a script.
“I always think about what’s important now, try to get in the moment and think about the things I want to get across,” Grantham said. “It’s usually two to three things, then try to demonstrate the passion needed to go play.”
From there, Grantham operates on feel and experience. He said his best speeches feed more from that players than himself.
“You get a feel for the players, how they’re hyped, ready to roll and we go from there,” Grantham said.
Grantham said he also uses the speeches to bond with his players and to show them he stands by them.
“We’ve put a lot of work into our season,” Grantham said. “We’ve put a lot of work into what we’re doing. It’s time to go play, perform, and do all those things. I want them to know that I’m excited and I want them to be excited, which I know they will be. From there, it’s time to go play.”
n NOTE: MSU coach Dan Mullen said Wednesday on the Southeastern Conference teleconference he didn’t have any new information about Chauncey Rivers’ eligibility. As of Thursday night, the status of Rivers, a defensive end who transferred from East Mississippi Community College, was uncertain for Saturday.
Follow Dispatch sports writer Brett Hudson on Twitter @Brett_Hudson
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