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Todd Graham

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Michael Todd Graham (born December 5, 1964) is an American college football coach and former player who serves as an offensive analyst for Texas Christian University (TCU). He was previously the head football coach at the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa.

Playing career

Graham was an all-district defensive back at North Mesquite High School, from which he graduated in 1983. He then went on to play at East Central University in Ada, Oklahoma, where he was a two-time All-NAIA defensive back. After graduation from East Central, Graham briefly signed with the Arizona Cardinals of the NFL in 1987.[1]

Coaching career

Graham began his coaching career in 1988 as an assistant at Poteet High School in his hometown of Mesquite. He later held head coaching positions at Carl Albert High School in Midwest City, Oklahoma, and Allen High School in Allen, Texas before becoming linebackers coach under Rich Rodriguez at West Virginia University in 2001.[2] The following season Graham was assigned to defensive co-coordinator.

In 2003, he was hired by Steve Kragthorpe as the defensive coordinator at Tulsa, where he helped guide the Golden Hurricane to two bowl games in three seasons. Graham built one of the best defensive units in Conference USA and the nation before leaving the position following his third year at Tulsa for his first head coaching stint.

Rice

Graham was hired as the head coach at Rice on January 1, 2006.[3] This followed the resignation of long-time coach Ken Hatfield after the Owls had finished 1–10 in 2005. At Rice, athletic director Chris Del Conte helped Graham raise $5.5 million for renovating Rice Stadium and replacing the dated AstroTurf with FieldTurf. He hired former University of Texas quarterback Major Applewhite as his offensive coordinator,[4] replacing the triple option offense Hatfield had been running with a more balanced attack. Behind quarterback Chase Clement and All-American receiver Jarett Dillard, Rice pulled off the biggest turnaround of the 2006 season, finishing 7–5 and earning an invitation to the New Orleans Bowl, the school's first bowl game since 1961.[3] Graham was named Conference USA Coach of the Year, and was rewarded by the Rice administration with the offer of a significant pay raise and contract extension.[5] After signing this extension, Graham left for Tulsa only a few days later. Graham received much criticism for this move. On November 24, 2007, when Tulsa played Rice at Rice Stadium, the Rice University Marching Owl Band presented a halftime show named "Todd Graham's Inferno"[6] (based on Dante's "The Divine Comedy"), which concluded with the band announcer calling Graham "a douchebag". This resulted in a formal protest to Conference USA by Tulsa's athletic department. Chuck Throckmorton, the marching band's director, later apologized for offending anyone, but not for the show. Tulsa won the game 48–43.[7][8] Following Graham's exodus, Rice hired David Bailiff, who led Rice to its 2008 Texas Bowl, and its 2012 Armed Forces Bowl and the 2013 Conference USA title.

Tulsa

When the Tulsa head coaching position was vacant following the 2002 season, Graham sent in his application. It was not until five years later that Graham took over the reins as the Golden Hurricane head coach. After serving three years as Tulsa defensive coordinator and one year as Rice head coach, Graham was introduced as Tulsa's 27th head football coach on January 12, 2007.[9]

Para sus coordinadores ofensivos, Graham recurrió a su amigo Gus Malzahn , entonces coordinador ofensivo de la Universidad de Arkansas , y a Herb Hand , entrenador de alas cerradas de la Universidad de West Virginia . [ 10 ] [ 11 ] También contrató al ex mariscal de campo de los Golden Hurricane y entrenador de la escuela secundaria Union de Tulsa , Bill Blankenship, como entrenador de receptores abiertos.

Con un salario anual de 1,1 millones de dólares, Graham fue el segundo entrenador mejor pagado de la Conference USA , solo por detrás de June Jones de SMU en 2010.

En su última temporada en Tulsa, el equipo alcanzó un récord de 10-3 que incluyó una sorpresiva victoria de 28-27 sobre Notre Dame y una victoria de 62-35 sobre el número 24, Hawaii , en el Hawaii Bowl de 2010. [ 12 ]

Pittsburgh

Graham fue anunciado como entrenador principal de Pitt el 10 de enero de 2011. [ 12 ] [ 13 ] Fue contratado después de que Michael Haywood , la opción inicial para reemplazar al entrenador Dave Wannstedt , quien llevaba seis años en el cargo, fuera despedido tras una disputa doméstica.

Posteriormente, Graham llevó al equipo a una decepcionante temporada regular de 6-6 ese mismo otoño. Menos de un año después de su contratación, el 13 de diciembre, Graham informó al director atlético Steve Pederson que había conversado sobre una oportunidad como entrenador principal en Arizona State. [ 14 ] Después de que se le informara que no tenía permiso para hablar con la universidad sobre el puesto y de negarse a conversar con Pederson y otro administrador, Graham renunció y posteriormente aceptó el puesto de entrenador principal en Arizona State. Según se informa, la esposa de Graham nunca había sido feliz en Pittsburgh y quería mudarse más cerca de su familia. [ 15 ] Graham informó a los jugadores de Pitt de su partida al día siguiente mediante un mensaje de texto que el director de operaciones de fútbol americano, Blair Philbrick, reenvió al equipo. [ 16 ] Dos semanas antes de dejar Pitt, Graham se refirió a los entrenadores asistentes que se fueron para unirse al personal de Rich Rodriguez en Arizona como "nada más que mercenarios". [ 17 ] En entrevistas posteriores, Graham afirmó que esos comentarios fueron sacados de contexto. Dijo que no se refería a los entrenadores que dejaron Pittsburgh y que estaba conversando con periodistas en general sobre el entrenamiento en el fútbol americano universitario y dijo: "Muchas veces los entrenadores van de un lado a otro, son como mercenarios". [ 18 ]

The style in which Graham left, in combination with his quick departures from other universities, led to criticism of Graham in both local and national 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 little more severe stating, "It's been all a lie this whole time. Everything he told us has been a lie." Another one of Graham's players at the time, senior offensive tackle Lucas Nix, stated that he felt Graham's exiting text message wasn't worthy of the trust the team had put into Graham and his program. "We put our trust in him, and all he could do was send us a text message," Nix said.[24]

Arizona State

Graham at AT&T Stadium

Graham was announced as Arizona State University's head coach on December 14, 2011.[25] In his first season at Arizona State, the Sun Devils went 8–5, securing their first winning season since 2007. With a win in the Kraft Fight Hunger Bowl against the Navy Midshipmen, the 2012 Sun Devils won the final three games of the season for the first time since 1978.[26] ESPN's Pac-12 Blog writer Ted Miller called Graham's first season at Arizona State an "unquestioned success."[27] In 2013, Graham continued to build positive momentum and led ASU to win the Pac-12 South after defeating UCLA and rival University of Arizona. ASU finished the season 10–4 and ranked #21 in the AP Poll and #20 in the Coach's Poll.[28] For his efforts in leading ASU to a Pac-12 South championship, Graham received the 2013 Pac-12 Coach of the Year Award. In 2014, ASU finished with yet another 10-win season by going 10–3 and ranking #12 in the final AP Poll and #14 in the final Coaches Poll. The season was capped off with Graham leading the Sun Devils to victory over Duke University in the Sun Bowl.[29]

The 2015 season saw a big drop off for the program as the Sun Devils finished a disappointing 6–7 with a 43–42 loss to the West Virginia Mountaineers in the Cactus Bowl. The trend continued into the next two seasons. The Sun Devils finished 2016 on a 6-game losing streak, which culminated in a 5–7 record. 2017 would be Graham's final season. The team improved only slightly, finishing 7–6. Graham and Arizona State agreed to part ways after winning the last regular-season game of the year against rival Arizona, and retaining the Territorial Cup. The Sun Bowl against North Carolina State would be his last game as Arizona State head coach. The result was a 52–31 loss to the Wolfpack.

Hawaii

On January 21, 2020, Graham was hired by the University of Hawaii as the 24th head football coach in the school's history after being away from college football for two years.[30]

Graham's first season was impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic which saw spring football canceled just three days before it began, and the 2020 season also started late with a shortened training camp. Nevertheless, Graham's team slowly gelled together after a slow start, notably pulling off a huge upset over previously undefeated Nevada. Graham also became the first Hawaii coach since Bob Wagner in 1987 to win his debut, doing so with a win over rival Fresno State. The win eventually secured a spot in the New Mexico Bowl, played in Frisco, Texas, his 11th bowl appearance in 13 seasons as a head coach. Hawaii eventually upset Dana Holgorsen's Houston Cougars, 28–14, securing his 100th win as a head coach, his sixth bowl victory, and his first victory over Holgorsen.

La segunda temporada de Graham comenzó de forma muy parecida a la primera: un inicio lento con solo una victoria sobre Portland State (FCS) y dos derrotas ante UCLA y Oregon State (Pac-12), con la defensa permitiendo más de 30 puntos en cada partido. Sin embargo, en los siguientes tres partidos, la defensa de Hawái solo permitió un promedio de 21 puntos; a pesar de perder ante el vigente campeón de la Mountain West, San Jose State, en la última jugada de una derrota por 17-13, los Rainbow Warriors se recuperaron con una actuación dominante contra su antiguo rival de la WAC, New Mexico State, ganando 41-21. La semana siguiente, Graham consiguió una segunda victoria memorable en la noche de bienvenida, una sorpresiva victoria por 27-24 sobre Fresno State (número 18 del ranking), lo que marcó la tercera vez que Hawái derrotaba a un equipo clasificado de los Bulldogs, y la primera victoria sobre un equipo clasificado desde 2010. Además, fue la primera victoria en casa sobre los Bulldogs desde 2007, poniendo fin a una racha de seis derrotas consecutivas. A pesar de terminar con un récord de 6-7, el equipo recuperó el Trofeo Paniolo con una victoria de 38-14 sobre Wyoming, su primer triunfo en Laramie desde 1991. También se aseguró su segunda participación consecutiva en la postemporada en el Hawaii Bowl y su cuarto partido de tazón consecutivo contra Memphis , un récord para el programa , como equipo con elegibilidad condicional después de que la NCAA añadiera un partido de tazón extra para dar cabida a todos los equipos que lo merecían. Graham se retiró del partido un día antes de que se jugara, alegando preocupaciones relacionadas con la COVID-19.

Después de la temporada 2021, varios jugadores de Hawaii alegaron maltrato por parte de Graham. Un jugador dijo: "Graham ha matado nuestro amor y pasión por el fútbol". [ 31 ] Esto llevó a que numerosos jugadores de Hawaii ingresaran al portal de transferencias, incluido su hijo, Michael Graham. [ 32 ] La curiosidad sobre las transferencias incluso llevó a una reunión del Senado del Estado de Hawaii para indagar sobre el tema el 7 de enero de 2022. [ 33 ] La reunión incluyó a un grupo de jugadores y familiares que testificaron, con numerosos relatos que criticaban a Graham y su conducta. Las acusaciones incluyeron atrocidades como que dijera que quienes tocaban el ukelele eran "jodidamente molestos", describiera a los jugadores como "monos de porche" y "recolectores de piña", y llamara a Hawaii un "país del tercer mundo" por no tener Dr Pepper en las máquinas expendedoras. [ 34 ] [ 35 ]

Graham renunció a Hawaii el 14 de enero de 2022, tras haber completado su segundo año de un contrato de cinco años y un récord de 11-11 en medio de la controversia por el maltrato a los jugadores. En un comunicado, Graham afirmó que su renuncia era "lo mejor" para él, su familia y su salud. [ 36 ]

TCU

In July 2024, TCU coach Sonny Dykes added Graham as an analyst. He said Graham would work with the Horned Frogs offense because of his defensive background.[37]

Personal life

During his two-year hiatus from coaching from 2018 to 2019, Graham visited numerous NFL and NCAA coaches, including Bill Belichick and Mike Norvell, to keep up to date with the game.[38]

In September 2025, Graham was reportedly interested in seeking the Republican nomination for Arizona's 1st congressional district in the 2026 elections. Graham reportedly still maintains a residence in Arizona.[39]

Coaching tree

Head coaches Graham served under

Assistant coaches under Graham who became college head coaches

[40][41]

Head coaching record

College

  • ^A Graham resigned before Pittsburgh's 2011 bowl game.
  • ^B The game was canceled due to COVID-19 and other issues within the team.

References

  1. ↑Horne, Lisa (May 1, 2012). "Todd Graham: Pitt was a mistake". Fox Sports. Archived from the original on May 4, 2012. Retrieved September 19, 2021.
  2. ↑"Head Football Coach Todd Graham Happy to be at TU". Archived from the original on July 11, 2011.
  3. 12"Todd Graham". Rice University Athletics. Archived from the original on January 3, 2007. Retrieved April 13, 2016.
  4. ↑"Major promotion: Applewhite named coordinator at Rice". ESPN.com. January 8, 2006.
  5. ↑"Graham strikes deal in contract extension". The Rice Thresher. Archived from the original on July 14, 2007.
  6. ↑"Todd Graham's Inferno". Archived from the original on May 15, 2008. Retrieved November 29, 2007.
  7. ↑Rice band's 'Todd Graham's Inferno' not a hit with Tulsa,
  8. ↑"Rice band director apologizes for Graham routine".
  9. ↑"Todd Graham". Tulsa University Athletics. Archived from the original on July 17, 2011.
  10. ↑"Gus Malzahn Leaves Arkansas".
  11. ↑"Hand Leaves West Virginia For Tulsa".
  12. 12"Todd Graham". University of Pittsburgh Athletics. Archived from the original on December 27, 2011.
  13. ↑Zeise, Paul; Brink, Bill (January 11, 2010). "Pitt's search ends with hiring of Tulsa's Graham". Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. Pittsburgh, PA. Archived from the original on January 14, 2011. Retrieved January 11, 2010.
  14. ↑"Keith Patterson Named Interim Coach for Pitt Football". PittsburghPanthers.com. December 14, 2011. Archived from the original on January 7, 2012. Retrieved December 14, 2011.
  15. ↑Zeiss, Paul (December 15, 2011). "Graham leaves Pitt for Arizona St". Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. Archived from the original on January 7, 2012. Retrieved December 15, 2011.
  16. ↑"Todd Graham to coach Sun Devils". ESPN.com. December 14, 2011. Retrieved December 14, 2011.
  17. ↑Zeise, Paul (December 15, 2011). "Graham leaves Pitt for Arizona State". Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. Archived from the original on January 7, 2012.
  18. ↑"Graham might have run out on Pitt, but what regular guy wouldn't?". Archived from the original on February 27, 2014. Retrieved February 23, 2014.
  19. ↑Ford, Pat (December 15, 2011). "Graham's classless departure for ASU nothing new". Yahoo! Sports. Retrieved December 16, 2011.
  20. ↑Adelson, Andrea (December 14, 2011). "Pitt has to start over – again". ESPN.com. Retrieved December 16, 2011.
  21. ↑Solomon, Jerome (December 15, 2011). "Todd Graham makes another despicable decision". Houston Chronicle. Chron.com. Archived from the original on February 1, 2012. Retrieved December 16, 2011.
  22. ↑Morgan, Craig (December 15, 2011). "Graham's actions belie talk of 'character'". FoxSportsArizona.com. Retrieved December 16, 2011.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: deprecated archival service (link)
  23. ↑Collier, Gene (December 14, 2011). "Pitt was a dry run for Graham". Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. Archived from the original on January 7, 2012. Retrieved December 16, 2011.
  24. ↑DiPaola, Jerry (December 14, 2011). "Pitt left to pick up pieces after Graham exit". Pittsburgh Tribune-Review. Retrieved December 20, 2012.
  25. ↑"Todd Graham Profile". Arizona Skjtate University. December 15, 2011. Archived from the original on October 24, 2012. Retrieved September 14, 2012.
  26. ↑Haller, Doug (December 29, 2012). "ASU football routs Navy in the Kraft Fight Hunger Bowl". The Arizona Republic. Retrieved January 2, 2013.
  27. ↑"Pac-12 Power Rankings Week 14". ESPN. November 26, 2012. Retrieved November 27, 2012.
  28. ↑"Arizona State vs. UCLA – Game Recap – November 23, 2013 – ESPN".
  29. ↑"Arizona State vs. Duke – Box Score – December 27, 2014 – ESPN".
  30. ↑"BREAKING: Former Arizona State coach Todd Graham to become new Hawaii head coach". January 22, 2020.
  31. ↑"Hawaii football players allege mistreatment by Todd Graham, say he 'has killed our love and passion for football'". www.sportingnews.com. December 6, 2021.
  32. ↑"Hawaii football exodus continues as DB Michael Graham, son of coach Todd Graham, enters transfer portal". CBSSports.com. December 30, 2021.
  33. ↑@KeithDemolder (January 8, 2022). "HAPPENING AT 2:30:Hawaii State Senate meeting today in regards to "Budget and cost related to coaching staff con…" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
  34. ↑McInnis, Brian (January 15, 2022). "Todd Graham resigns as University of Hawaii football coach". Spectrum Local News Hawaii. Retrieved December 3, 2024.
  35. ↑Giger, Cory (January 8, 2022). "Former Pitt coach Graham blasted in Hawaii senate meeting". DK Pittsburgh Sports. Retrieved December 3, 2024.
  36. ↑Tsai, Stephen (January 14, 2021). "Todd Graham resigns as University of Hawaii football coach". Honolulu Star-Advertiser. Retrieved January 14, 2022.
  37. ↑Wilson, Dave (July 31, 2024). "TCU adding Dana Holgorsen, Todd Graham to staff, says Sonny Dykes". ESPN. Retrieved October 19, 2025.
  38. ↑Cluff, Jeremy (January 22, 2020). "Todd Graham: How 2 seasons out of football aided Hawaii football coach". The Arizona Republic. Retrieved August 7, 2024.
  39. ↑Duda, Jeremy (September 30, 2025). "Republicans eye open CD1 primary after Schweikert switches to governor's race". Axios Phoenix. Retrieved October 19, 2025.
  40. ↑"Todd Graham's head coach studded coaching tree". KHON2. January 23, 2020. Retrieved May 17, 2020.
  41. ↑Connelly, Bill (May 25, 2017). "ASU's Graham can build coaches. What about a program?". SBNation.com. Retrieved May 17, 2020.
  • Hawaii profileArchived October 22, 2020, at the Wayback Machine
  • Arizona State profile