Enough already, Bulldogs: Hire Anthony Grant now!
If I’m Damon Evans, I’ve seen enough. I’m on a plane to Richmond today, and I’m scheduling the news conference for Monday, wherein I will introduce Anthony Grant as Georgia’s new basketball coach.
Do I think it will work that way? Nope. I’m guessing the athletics director will feel obliged to conduct what he deems a more “thorough” search. But Evans has had two months now to assess the field, and he’ll not find anyone better suited.
Anthony Grant knows the SEC, having worked under Billy Donovan at Florida. He knows how to recruit, having helped land the signing class — the “Oh-Fours,” those Gators called themselves — that would win consecutive national championships. And he knows how to win on his own, having gone off and done just that.
At Virginia Commonwealth, Grant has taken two Colonial titles and reached the NCAA tournament twice in three seasons. The time he missed, his team was the top seed and lost in the conference semis by two points. If you doubt the Colonial’s bona fides, note that George Mason, which reached the 2006 Final Four, plays there. VCU beat Mason by 21 points in this season’s title game.
There has been talk in Georgia circles that Grant has only piggybacked atop what Jeff Capel began at VCU. Capel made the NCAA tournament once in his four seasons with the Rams. Yes, he left Grant with the splendid guard Eric Maynor, but Maynor was the only senior on this Ram roster. The burgeoning big man Larry Sanders? Grant signed him out of Port St. Lucie, Fla.
If you watched Maynor and Sanders work against UCLA in the Big Dance on Thursday, you saw players who clearly have been coached. The Bruins have been to the past three Final Fours, but Maynor had a shot to beat them at the horn. He’d made that shot two years ago to topple Duke in Round 1, but this time he missed. He missed because Ben Howland, one of the best in the business, double-teamed Maynor on the inbounds.
But here we must credit the man on VCU’s bench: Grant still found a way to get Maynor the ball, and the guard hoisted a reasonable, if contested, shot. Contrast this with Georgia Tech’s behavior against Florida State in the ACC tournament: Paul Hewitt chose to give the ball to a freshman (Iman Shumpert), as opposed to the senior Lewis Clinch, who’d scored 57 points in two days.
This is Evans’ first big hire, and I understand he’d be attracted to bigger names. (An e-mail to Evans inquiring about search criteria went unanswered.) If FoxSports is to be believed, Georgia is prepared to offer Capel $2 million, more than twice what Dennis Felton earned. But Capel’s younger brother Jason told me last week he didn’t see his sibling as Athens-bound. “I don’t think Oklahoma will let him leave,” Jason Capel said.
Know what I say? Good. Sometimes the lesser name is the proper name. Grant seems (at least to me) a better coach than Jeff Capel. Grant seems precisely what Georgia needs.
Let’s recall what Jeremy Foley, considered the best AD in the SEC, did when he needed someone to replace Lon Kruger at Florida. He hired a 30-year-old from Marshall who’d worked under Rick Pitino, and four seasons later Billy Donovan had the Gators in the Final Four.
It’s also instructive that, on the spring day in 2007 that Donovan recanted on his commitment to coach the Orlando Magic, Foley got the word in Richmond, Va. He’d gone there to try to bring Grant back to coach Florida. Evans should take the hint. If a guy’s good enough for the hated Gators, he’s good enough for Georgia.
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196 comments Add your comment
Mark Bradley
March 20th, 2009
12:25 pm
Arizona is indeed a good job. And Virginia can be. But there’s pretty fertile recruiting terrain here in Georgia and the South, and Athens is no slouch, as college towns go.
Dawggone-it
March 20th, 2009
12:25 pm
This is the guy. Go get him before Bammer or UVA signs him.
'ol sport
March 20th, 2009
12:25 pm
Mark, this is one of those few times that I really enjoyed what you had to say. I have read Grant’s history, and when I did, I became a BIG fan. Capel would use UGA as a stepping stone to his alma mater, even if we could pry him from OK.
I hope Damon Evans will see that Grant is as good as we could be lucky enough to get at this time. I think he is the person to put us where we want to be.
'ol sport
March 20th, 2009
12:27 pm
Mark, one more thing. Send these comments to Damon Evans. Let him see the support Anthony Grant has among the fans.
Mark Bradley
March 20th, 2009
12:27 pm
Why, thanks, ‘Ol Sport. I’ll see what I can do to make you a regular patron.
Cuz
March 20th, 2009
12:28 pm
I dont know. I had VCU picked as my upset special in my bracket. Now I will never win Hooters wings for life. If he upset me for chicken wings, how will he be able to handle it when he gets to Stegeman.
Mark Bradley
March 20th, 2009
12:28 pm
I’m guessing Damon Evans has his ear, figuratively speaking, to the ground. He’s a smart guy.
Ted Striker
March 20th, 2009
12:29 pm
Whether AG is Damon’s “choice”, I don’t know — but he’s probably got a favorite and is ready to pull the trigger if all goes well in negotiations. Search firm due diligence has likely been accomplished and Damon, more than anyone, is ready to leave his stamp on UGA athletic dept. history.
Mark Bradley
March 20th, 2009
12:30 pm
I feel your pain, Cuz. I’d have been 14-2 on Day 1 had Maynor drained that shot. But Darren Collison D’ed him up really nice.
Mark Bradley
March 20th, 2009
12:31 pm
I think you’re spot on, Ted Striker. And I’d like a little light reading, if you don’t mind.
scott
March 20th, 2009
12:40 pm
I like the arguments for Grant. Thank goodness Evans DIDN’T bite on the Dark Knight’s availability (groveling) for a coaching job. Let’s see if Evans can resurrect GA basketball.
When Zac Swansey is your starting point guard at the start of a season, both your coach and your program have real issues.
Mark Bradley
March 20th, 2009
12:41 pm
Somebody tell Dave O’Brien NDSU leads Kansas 9-7. Tell him Bucknell Bradley sent you. He’ll get the reference.
Frank
March 20th, 2009
12:44 pm
He runs the same offense that Felton runs. No thank you.
If he is the guy, I hope he recruits a whole lot better.
If we go the mid-major route (excluding Xavier’s Sean Miller), we should go with Brad Stevens and it isn’t even close.
AZ2FL
March 20th, 2009
12:46 pm
My wife is a Bulldog alum. She’s been to both AZ and UGA basketball games. She was completely blown away going to an AZ game. She couldn’t believe the fan support and the electricity in the arena. Of course in football circles, UGA blows AZ away.
By the way, thanks to the Bulldogs for beating the AZ St. Scum Devils last year. Please make it two years in a row!
AZ2FL
March 20th, 2009
12:47 pm
By the way, AZ’s best NBA prospect is Jordan Hill who hails from the Atlanta area. Players will come from all over the country and the planet to play at the U of A.
Mark Bradley
March 20th, 2009
12:47 pm
Let me ask you this: What has Brad Stevens done that Grant hasn’t? And what exactly makes you think Stevens would be able to recruit the South?
Mark Bradley
March 20th, 2009
12:48 pm
Jordan Hill is a splendid player who’ll be a lottery pick. And his AAU team? The Smyrna Stars.
Mark Bradley
March 20th, 2009
12:49 pm
Oh, and tell DOB he can come out from under the bed. KU has forged ahead 21-19.
uga_b
March 20th, 2009
12:54 pm
I don’t disagree Mark. Felton’s main problem was keeping a nucleus together. Easier to do at a small school with players happy to be playing D-1 as opposed to troublemakers, NBA hopefuls, and kids who want to transfer if they are benched. Maybe he was just not a big school recruiter. Not that UGA is all that big in basketball.
I am not sure he left as much talent as Harrick, so the next coach may be playing walkons out of necessity versus sanctions.
59bulldawg
March 20th, 2009
12:56 pm
Agree! Grant is the real deal. Let’s sign him.
Mark Bradley
March 20th, 2009
1:00 pm
Great point, UGA B. Felton has left much less talent behind than he inherited. (In his first season he had Rashad Wright, Chris Daniels, Damien Wilkins and Jonas Hayes. Jarvis Hayes went pro, and Wayne Arnold and Steve Thomas left — or were asked to leave — the program.)
Other than Trey Thompkins and Albert Jackson and maybe Dustin Ware, who’s an SEC-caliber player among current holdovers?
SecHoops
March 20th, 2009
1:00 pm
As a fan of another SEC team looking for a coach, Grant would be a great hire. I am sure BAMA will interview him as well but I think they have their sights set on Mike Anderson. I would not be disappointed if they hired him.
The one thing UGA needs is a new basketball facility. Stegman is awful and is not even close to being on par with the great basketball schools. Ark, UT, and UK (soon also AU) have great facilities. UGA is so talent rich that a new state of the art building would attract athletes left and right. Add a new coach to that and UGA could be dangerous! Same goes at BAMA. Coleman Coliseum is the illustration of you cant polish a turd. They did some face lifting to it last year but it still sucks!
Mark Bradley
March 20th, 2009
1:01 pm
Oh, and forget the DOB alerts. Apparently Ms. Carroll is blogging from Florida today. And her Dookies won last night.
Cleveland
March 20th, 2009
1:02 pm
Mark,
I know personal opinions are like elbows, but what’s the deal with the teams Mike Evans had at UAB. Winning ways. Up-tempo. Player friendly. Fan friendly. Roughly the same age and $$$’s.
Mark Bradley
March 20th, 2009
1:02 pm
I’ve come around on this point, SEC. I now think Georgia does need to redo its arena completely. What’s the point of having a $30 million place to practice if the place you play is antiquated?
Cleveland
March 20th, 2009
1:03 pm
Sorry, Mike Anderson
scott
March 20th, 2009
1:04 pm
BTW I agree– Collison was draped over Maynor like a wet blanket. Good game–you damn near called that one, Mr. B. Lucky I had UCLA winning one game to boost my Day 1 Won/Loss total to a very mediocre 12-4. Sigh.
uga_b
March 20th, 2009
1:04 pm
I miss Steve Thomas. I still remember my buddies seeing him “aledgedly” run his car into the pole in front of Boar’s Head.
The truth is you only need 2 or 3 good players to be competitive in college bball so rebuilding can be shorter than other sports. Let’s hope so.
Mark Bradley
March 20th, 2009
1:06 pm
Mike Evans played guard for Kansas State back in the ’70s. Mike Anderson was the coach at UAB who left and is doing well at Missouri. Mike Davis, who played for the Crimson Tide and who coached the Cream and Crimson of IU, is now coaching UAB.
I’ve addressed Mike Anderson above, as have others. And I’ll be happy to address any other Mikes — Krzyzewski, Singletary, even the AJC’s own irreplaceable Mike Luck.
Mark Bradley
March 20th, 2009
1:10 pm
I think nearly everybody had VCU winning, Scott. It was the Trendy Upset Pick of 2009, and it almost happened. But almost doesn’t count on the ol’ bracket.
Now for more current events: What moron had Utah State beating Marquette? Why, me, naturally.
Skeezix
March 20th, 2009
1:12 pm
Heck Mark, I told you that Georgia should hire Grant weeks ago if they weren’t going after Knight. Some folks are discussing Capel–but I think he would only leave Okla. for Virginia or Duke. Other than Capel, Grant is the best coaching talent out there. He is a great motivator who has had amazing results with modest talent. His players get after it for a full 40 minutes and believe they can beat anyone.
scott
March 20th, 2009
1:16 pm
Well you might have screwed up the Marquette game (it’s early) but I had to pull a homer and pick my 10th seeded Gophers to win a game yesterday. Damn lucky I didnt pick ‘em to beat Duke, too . . . but I considered it.
Mark Bradley
March 20th, 2009
1:16 pm
I’ll say it again: I’d rather have Grant than Capel. And I wouldn’t have touched Knight. And I said so six weeks ago. http://tinyurl.com/bmeryp
Mark Bradley
March 20th, 2009
1:18 pm
I whiffed on Minnesota, too. I made a Tubby pick. Should have made an A.J. Abrams pick.
Bo
March 20th, 2009
1:26 pm
Mark ~
I enjoy your blog, please keep up the good work.
I also enjoy March Madness and Bracketology. But since I don’t have the time and focus to study the likely 5-12 upsets, etc., I take the lazy approach and submit YOUR bracket into my neighborhood pool. I’ve done this 3 consecutive years now. Two years ago, I almost won the pool. But last year, both 7th-grade girls in the pool shamed us. I am hoping for better results this year. If I don’t win, I’d at least like to beat the girls … ha!
CJ
March 20th, 2009
1:27 pm
If we could use a little better logic here, Mark. How about a coach who can get the most BANG for the buck!
Coach Dip Metress of Augusta State did bring his team to Stegman and nearly left with a W. (Before any Dog fans chastize me, look at the box score from the game.)
He’s got a former player in Tyrekus A.J. Bowman playing pro overseas and a 7 foot center in Garrett Siler that has some pro scouts drooling. He also has ASU in the Div. II Elite 8 for the second year in a row! (No small feat, they are the runners-up from last year as the champs have been bounced already!)
Augusta State…………….. 41 33 – 74
Georgia………………….. 37 44 – 81
TW
March 20th, 2009
1:28 pm
Well argued, Mr. Bradley. It all comes down to recruiting, and I believe Grant could get it done.
ceph
March 20th, 2009
1:29 pm
Evans needs to get on his horse and ride into Memphis and return with John Calipari in tow.. Why is it no one is mentioning this guy? He has won 79% of his games at Memphis, if he can have this kind of record there he would be a perfect fit at UGA.
Bradley misses Badly
March 20th, 2009
1:32 pm
Wow. You are gonna give him credit for the last second shot they got last night? Talk abot turning lemons into lemonade, Mark. They had 13 seconds and the best they could get was an off-balance contested shot from an isolation that took way too long to develop out of a timeout? And thats a credit to Grant? Please don’t insult your readers’ intelligence.
I’m not totally against Grant but that is some spin, MARK. His strength is in recruiting, but his offense looked about as potent as Felton’s, which is, like, not a complement, brah.
tdawg
March 20th, 2009
1:36 pm
I love Grant as the choice. But my fear is Donovan leaves to go to NBA and Grant leaves UGA to go back to UF. Much like Tubby did to us when he went back to UK. Maybe something in the offer that makes it hard to leave for UF.
scott
March 20th, 2009
1:50 pm
Utah State within 1?? Wow. Told you it was too early to worry.
Mark Bradley
March 20th, 2009
1:50 pm
Bo, seventh-graders know a lot about basketball. There’s a sixth-grader who lives under this roof who has outpicked me two years running.
MightyQuinn
March 20th, 2009
1:58 pm
Go you hairy Buffaloes! Or are they Bison? Either way.
Dawg1
March 20th, 2009
1:59 pm
I actually agree with Mark Bradley. Think I’ll go buy a lottery ticket.
Mark Bradley
March 20th, 2009
2:04 pm
I should probably go buy the lottery ticket.
Mark Bradley
March 20th, 2009
2:05 pm
My point about Eric Maynor: The ball was in the hands of VCU’s best player with the season on the line. Can’t ask for more than that.
Marvelous Marvin Waggler
March 20th, 2009
2:07 pm
Stegeman doesn’t take a backseat to Cameron Indoor Stadium. If fact, Chip Towers said with the renovations, it’s right nice. I haven’t been there in 20 years. I think the Stegeman stinks argument is overrated, though a new facility wouldn’t hurt. Sanford, by the way, is no Taj Mahal and they fill it up pretty good.
Ryder
March 20th, 2009
2:08 pm
As a VCU alumni, I’d have to say….noooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo! Grant (along with Eric Maynor) has put our school on the basketball map, and we have a good class coming back next year. In Richmond he’d be king, at UGA, what could he really get accomplished?
Georgia is a stepping stone
March 20th, 2009
2:09 pm
Face it. I agree Anthony Grant would the perfect hire but I’ve got a feeling Damon Evans feels that it isn’t sexy enough. Too bad. He’ll likely land at UVA.
Mark Bradley
March 20th, 2009
2:13 pm
You haven’t been there in 20 years? Doesn’t that tell us a little something?