Todd Grantham is entering his second season as the defensive line coach for the Dallas Cowboys. In his first season with the squad, he saw stability across the line as Marcus Spears (left end), Jay Ratliff (nose tackle) and Chris Canty (right end) started every game. Grantham will have both Spears and Ratliff, who earned his first Pro Bowl trip under Grantham in 2008, back in 2009 along with veteran newcomer, Igor Olshansky. The defensive unit finished eighth in the NFL in total defense in 2008 and led the league with 59 sacks - 13.5 coming from the defensive linemen.

Grantham spent three seasons as defensive coordinator of the Cleveland Browns, and in total, has compiled 10 years of professional experience with three years as a coordinator for Cleveland (2005-07) and six years as a defensive line coach for both the Houston Texans (2002-04) and Indianapolis Colts (1999-01). He also possesses nine additional years of coaching experience from the collegiate level.

In 2007 Cleveland surfaced as one of the most improved teams in the NFL by compiling a 10-6 record after posting a 4-12 mark in 2006. Under Grantham's watch, the Browns 2007 secondary tandem of cornerback Leigh Bodden and safety Sean Jones recorded a combined total 11 interceptions. Bodden's six tied for fifth in the league, while Jones' five tied for ninth. Bodden also tied for third in the league with three fumble recoveries.

Grantham's defensive unit ranked 15th in the NFL in pass defense (202.6 yards-per-game) during the 2006 season, despite his secondary being decimated with injuries (defensive backs Daylon McCutcheon, Gary Baxter and Bodden). His secondary witnessed the emergence of safety Jones and defensive back Daven Holly, who tied for the team lead with five interceptions each.

In his first season with the Browns in 2005, Grantham led a defensive unit that converted to a new 3-4 defensive scheme and finished first in the AFC in red zone defense (44.0 touchdown percentage), fourth in the NFL in pass defense (179.2 yards-per-game), 11th in points allowed (17.7 points-per-game) and tied for 16th in total defense (316.8 yards-per-game).

Prior to joining the Browns, Grantham served as the defensive line coach for the Houston Texans. In 2004 Grantham's line worked in a 3-4 scheme and the Texans defense ranked 13th in the NFL against the run and had a streak of seven consecutive games without allowing a rushing score (10/10/04 - 11/28/04).

In 2003 Grantham's defensive line unit was devastated by injuries, as nose tackle Seth Payne suffered a season ending knee injury in week two and Pro Bowl defensive end Gary Walker played in just four games due to shoulder and toe injuries. Despite the injuries, Grantham was able to mix and match his defensive linemen effectively as defensive tackle Jerry Deloach collected a career-high 109 tackles and nose tackle Steve Martin racked up 92 stops in only 14 games. In 2002 Grantham's three starters (Walker, Payne, Deloach) all produced career-high numbers in tackles and Walker earned his second Pro Bowl invitation after racking up 115 tackles and 6.5 sacks.

Grantham arrived in Houston in 2002 after spending the previous three seasons in the same capacity for the Indianapolis Colts. Grantham's charges registered 96 sacks over three seasons, helping the Colts post a 29-19 record and advance to the playoffs twice. Indianapolis' 10-win improvement from 1998 to 1999 marked the greatest one-season turnaround in league history. In 1999 and 2000, the Colts posted 56 sacks, the highest two-year total for the club since it moved to Indianapolis.

Prior to his stint in Indianapolis, Grantham served three seasons as the defensive line coach at Michigan State (1996-98). He added the title of assistant head coach in his final season in East Lansing in 1998. Michigan State ranked 19th in total defense in 1996 and 13th in 1997, making consecutive bowl trips.

Grantham also spent six seasons (1990-95) at his alma mater, Virginia Tech, the final two as defensive line coach. In 1995 the Hokies ranked first nationally in rushing defense, fifth in scoring defense and 10th in total defense. Virginia Tech racked up 50 sacks en route to the Big East title and a Sugar Bowl triumph over Texas in 1995. Grantham coached defensive ends and inside linebackers from 1990-91 and defensive tackles from 1992-93.

Grantham played guard and tackle for the Hokies from 1984-88. He earned second-team All-South and honorable mention All-America honors as a senior. He earned a bachelor's degree in sports management. Grantham was born Sept. 13, 1966, in Pulaski, Va. He and his wife, Paige, have a son, Corbin, and a daughter, Olivia.