A week ago, Todd Grantham’s name was getting lots of play in connection with the defensive coordinator position of the Philadelphia Eagles.  Florida’s Dan Quinn — who left for the Seattle Seahawks last week — and Alabama’s Kirby Smart were tied to the Philly gig, too.  But since last week… silence.

Now one report claims that new Eagles coach Chip Kelly will hire San Francisco 49ers secondary coach Ed Donatell as his defensive coordinator.  So can Georgia fans stop fretting about possibly losing their own D-coordinator?  Not exactly.

Until Donatell’s hiring becomes official — and that won’t happen until after next Sunday’s Super Bowl — the job technically hasn’t been filled.  Also, recently returned-from-exile New Orleans Saints coach Sean Payton fired defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo yesterday.  Payton and Grantham might have some connections through their days as assistants with the Dallas Cowboys, though they never served on the same staff together.  Would Dallas owner and Arkansas alum/booster Jerry Jones call Payton and recommend Grantham just to get him out of the SEC?

According to The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, Georgia AD Greg McGarity continues to say that Grantham has not informed him of any offers coming from the National Football League.  Contractually, Grantham is bound to tell McGarity if he is approached by anyone.  But Grantham also has a clause in his contract that allows him to leave UGA for an NFL head coaching job or an NFL coordinator’s position without having to pay the school a buyout.  In addition, Grantham hasn’t kiboshed the rumors — it’s called leverage — which could cause some Bulldog recruits to worry as signing day nears.

In light of the Manti Te’o situation, South Carolina officials are cracking down on a fake Twitter account tied to DE Jadeveon Clowney
Arkansas has hired Kansas State’s Michael Smith as its new receivers coach
Florida coach Will Muschamp says he and new defensive coordinator DJ Durkin will run the defense together as he did with Dan Quinn
Quinn left Florida to become the Seattle Seahawks’ defensive coordinator on Thursday
Rumors continue to tie Georgia’s Todd Grantham and Alabama’s Kirby Smart to the vacant Philadelphia Eagles’ defensive coordinator job
Missouri F Laurence Bowers will probably miss Saturday’s game with Florida due to a knee injury
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Florida defensive coordinator Dan Quinn has been named the new defensive coordinator of the Seattle Seahawks.  Quinn returns to the NFL and to Seattle after spending two years on Will Muschamp’s staff in Gainesville.

Florida finished 11-2 this past season leaning heavily on the strength of the team’s defense. D.J. Durkin, the Gators current linebackers coach and special teams coordinator, will replace Quinn as defensive coordinator.

Kentucky’s new football staff will make $720,000 more than last year’s staff
Ex-Florida QB Jacoby Brissett has reportedly transferred to North Carolina State
Florida OL Jessamen Dunker released from jail after allegedly stealing a scooter
Auburn FB Blake Burgess had his 2010 SEC and BCS championship rings stolen this week
Georgia defensive coordinator Todd Grantham has been tied to the defensive coordinator opening with the NFL’s Eagles
Florida defensive coordinator Dan Quinn has left to take the DC job with the Seattle Seahawks…
Linebackers coach D.J. Durkin promoted at Florida to the defensive coordinator position
SEC Thursday Night Basketball…Florida 68, Texas A&M 47
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Florida defensive coordinator Dan Quinn is apparently a wanted man.  Not only has his name come up regarding the D-coordinator slot with the Philadelphia Eagles, but now he’s being connected to the same position with the Seattle Seahawks.  And the Cleveland Browns.

According to ESPN’s NFL insider Adam Schefter:

“There is a ‘strong possibility’ Florida DC Dan Quinn will return to Seattle to replace Gus Bradley as DC, thought CLEV and PHIL interested.”

As we told you this morning, the ex-NFL coach has been tied to the Eagles’ defensive coordinator slot along with Georgia coordinator Todd Grantham.

You can add another pro fanbase that will be cursing the name “Will Muschamp” today.  The new Florida coach — fresh off hiring Charlie Weis from the Kansas City Chiefs as his offensive coordinator — has given UF’s defensive coordinator job to Dan Quinn.

Quinn is the defensive line coach of the Seattle Seahawks.

“Dan and I worked on the Miami Dolphins’ staff together and is one of the best I’ve been around in terms of teaching fundamentals,” Muschamp said.  “He understands how defenses will need to be multiple and how to put players in a position to be successful.  The Seattle organization has been great in coordinating the hiring of Dan to our staff and we wish them the best of luck in the playoffs.”

Weis and Quinn will remain with their pro clubs through the playoffs.  The Chiefs lost badly at home to the Raiders yesterday and KC officials have had to shoot down speculation that the Weis situation hurt the team’s preparations in Week 17.  Now the Seahawks will also have to deal with the distraction of a coach leaving.

Muschamp might not be making a lot of friends in NFL circles, but he is putting together a pretty impressive coaching staff.

With Warren Norman lost for the season with a wrist injury, Vanderbilt’s rushing game will now turn to Zac Stacy as its top option.  As Stacy moves up the depth chart, Nashville’s Wesley Tate will also be given a shot to advance.

“It’s a great opportunity.  I can show everybody what I can do on the field.”

Not so fast.  Robbie Caldwell says he’ll give Tate more carries if he first meets some criteria set down by the coach.

“He has to prepare better.  He blew a couple of things (in practice on Tuesday), but hopefully he’ll get it down and be ready to go.  He’s got to step up.  This is time.”

Tate’s older brother Golden was a star receiver at Notre Dame and is currently a rookie for the Seattle Seahawks.