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
MightyQuinn
March 20th, 2009
2:15 pm
Looks like NDSU is running out of gas
scott
March 20th, 2009
2:21 pm
I hope so, MightyQuinn–I didn’t pick ‘em.
scott
March 20th, 2009
2:24 pm
On second thought, go Bison! I wouldn’t mind seeing the Jayhawks go out early. I am sure a few people have Kansas winning 3 or maybe 4 games, but I’m not one of them.
Boston Williams
March 20th, 2009
2:30 pm
I still think Jeff Jones of American U. should be considered. He did a good job at UVA, as well as at American.
Rob in Chapel Hill
March 20th, 2009
2:33 pm
I heard an interview with Leonard Hamilton, Florida State’s coach, on the radio yesterday, which made me think the Dawgs should really consider him as well. This year’s ACC Coach of the Year, has the ‘Noles in the tournament again (of course it doesn’t hurt having Toney Douglas of Jonesboro as your stud; wish Georgia had gotten him), and Hamilton described himself as a bit of a specialist at rebuilding programs with a lot of potential. I like the fact that he’s a bit older and experienced. Give him a shot, Damon!
Mark Bradley
March 20th, 2009
2:34 pm
I’m not a Jeff Jones fan, Boston. And I covered him in the 1978 Kentucky state tournament. He played for undefeated Apollo, which lost in Round 1 to Shelby County. Great game.
Frank
March 20th, 2009
2:35 pm
For one, Stevens has won 30 games in a season. In fact, he has won more games than Grant in every year that he has coached. He’s been to the tournament in both of his years as HC. Moreover, he has recruited and won with his own core of players, something that Grant has not done. He made the tournament this year with a team that was picked to finish 5th in the Horizon League. His roster includes 4 kids from the South that he recruited (Avery Jukes, of Atlanta; Shelvin Mack from Lexington, KY;Shawn Vanzant, Tampa, Fl; and Ronald Nored, Homewood, Al). I am sorry when you inherit a NBA lottery pick in the Colonial Conference, you don’t get graded on a curve. If we want to see what kind of coach and recruiter Grant really is, let’s see him stay at VCU and try in make the tournament without Maynor next year.
Mark Bradley
March 20th, 2009
2:37 pm
Leonard is 60.
Frank
March 20th, 2009
2:38 pm
Additionally, did you see the ball movement and fundamental basketball on display versus LSU? Butler had no business athletically on that court, yet they went toe to toe with LSU with a team primarily made up with true freshman and sophomores. Contrast that with how VCU plays and get back to me.
Jeff Grady
March 20th, 2009
2:39 pm
I believe that UGA will be fighting not only its own poor performance which has had an effect on the perception of UGA basketball, but also the the poor perception of SEC basketball in general. For whatever reason, BB players aren’t attracted to the somewhat “provincial” atmosphere characterizing most SEC college locals. This is not meant as a “put-down”, for I personally like such atmospheres. But “slick” BB players like the faster pace. Even Duke and UNC are located in a relatively active local. Atlanta, of course, is great.
MightyQuinn
March 20th, 2009
2:43 pm
OK, two close games simultaneously; now thats more like real March Madness! Hope it gets even better!
Mark Bradley
March 20th, 2009
2:44 pm
I saw Brad Stevens’ team lose to Tennessee last March in OT. He’s a good coach. But so’s Anthony Grant. And UCLA is better than LSU. And Duke in 2007 was better than Tennessee last season.
Mark Bradley
March 20th, 2009
2:45 pm
Being in the Southeastern Conference didn’t seem to bother Florida a couple of years ago.
Marvelous Marvin Waggler
March 20th, 2009
2:47 pm
Not about the facility, no. About UGA basketball, yes.
Frank
March 20th, 2009
2:50 pm
I don’t recall Duke making the Sweet Sixteen in 2007 like UT did last year (which Butler took to OT). Moreover, the one quality victory that VCU has had in three years (look it up) came with a roster that was dominated by Capel recruits and again, included Eric Maynor.
Jeff Grady
March 20th, 2009
2:52 pm
Make that “provincial locale”. I too, am from the country.
Ron Roberts
March 20th, 2009
2:57 pm
I think BECAUSE the state of Georgia is such fertile recruiting ground, ANY coach who wants to be in a high-profile coaching position with a continuous chance to be in the national title discussion would consider Georgia – Jeff Capel included. You know how hard it has to be to convenice kids to go play in Norman or Stillwater? Nothing short of miraculous, to me, that they do, frankly. And I don’t think a coach’s “loyalties” with their former boss keeps them from considering a position like Georgia, either.
Quite the opposite, I’d guess, actually. If ANYthing, maybe it’ll keep recruiting wars between the two schools at a level of civility, but it’d certainly be nice to have a legitimate basketball “rival,” too. Can’t HURT the program, anyhow. There’s a reason why Georgia’s football team has many rivalS and why Tech’s football program has one single rival… they’re just not usually at the same expectation level, and the same goes for Georgia’s basketball program, currently. We have no “rival,” in basketball, to speak of, because we don’t consistently hang with anybody challenging for anything of value (aka a “title.”).
Grant’s a solid choice.
Jeff Grady
March 20th, 2009
2:59 pm
Your are right about Florida. However Florida is unique, and all of their players came back. But they can’t sustain their success. Just look at the past two years. They didn’t even make the tournament if I’m not mistaken.
Deepstep Dawg
March 20th, 2009
3:01 pm
I totally agree with UGA ‘01! Mark Few or Jay Wright would be phone call number one if i were in D Evans shoes. I thought Mark Few should’ve been the top target before we hired Felton. I heard a stat the other day that he has taken the Zags to 10 straight NCAA tournaments in his 10 years there….if this guy can win and recruit All-America caliber players to a tiny school in Washington state, he could definitely do it with the abundance of talent in GA each year! Jay Wright is top notch also! If both these guys said no, then Grant or Capel or Tub would be plan B. Who knows, none of these guys may want to leave and come to Athens, but i do feel that with the right guy in place UGA basketball can become a force much like the Gaytors! Too much in-state talent out there to continue to be a flop!
golt73
March 20th, 2009
3:04 pm
The Colonial is a solid conference. Let’s remember Jay Wright went from Hofstra to Villanova as well. It’s been a breeding ground for coaches to make the jump. Sounds good to me
Jeff Grady
March 20th, 2009
3:11 pm
I believe players want to compete against the best teams. So while some schools will be relatively strong over time, despite their league, the ACC seems to have the best players year in and out. The state of NC has three teams which have won the national championship on multiple occasions. I dont believe any other state can make that claim. They had great players who wanted to play in the ACC.
gdawginkalamazoo
March 20th, 2009
3:11 pm
AZ2FL, last time I was in Stegman it had electricity. Of course that was when UGA was beating Don Devoe.
Mark, easy way to update the arena is to change the name to “The Historic Stegman Coliseum”. Fresh coat of paint and a corporate sponsor. For example, AIG? Countrywide?
Fort Worth Dawg
March 20th, 2009
3:17 pm
“When Demosthenes spoke, the people applauded, but when Pericles spoke, they marched.” Mark, this was one of the most persuasive writings in sports I’ve seen in a long time. I was thinking Baylor’s coach but now I’m sold on Grant.
Ron Roberts
March 20th, 2009
3:26 pm
Enough w/the Stegman “crutch.” That’s such a pointless argument; the program would be moving along quite nicely, I believe, had Tubby Smith never left, and Stegman would be packed for every game and nobody’d be bringing it up. They’ve spent so much to renovate and keep that facility viable over the last 20 years, as it is, and the Athletic Assocation’s master plan calls for a fanTASTIC concourse expansion and facade upgrade, as it is. Sure, the new practice facility is vastly superior to Stegman, but with current enhancements and future (and might I add “less costly”) concourse and facade renderings in the works, UGA does NOT need a “new” arena.
YOu can list programs where shiny new facilities have worked? I can name several where they didn’t….Arkansas, SC, NC State come to mind. What Florida plays in is no “crown jewel,” and Donovans does fine; so does Coach K in Cameron Indoor…it’s COACHING that’ll make the program work, not suites and shiny new rafters.
Too Easy
March 20th, 2009
3:29 pm
Wonder what happened when Testicles spoke.
Mark Bradley
March 20th, 2009
3:30 pm
What you just said, Forth Worth? It’s Greek to me.
But thanks.
Josh
March 20th, 2009
3:34 pm
Mark,
You said Dustin Ware is leaving? Can you give anymore info on this, have not seen that anywhere.
Cleveland
March 20th, 2009
3:41 pm
Mark,
You guys are missing the point. Players want to play in an open court fast tempo system. Mike Anderson would bring that system. Everyone keeps speaking of recruiting Atlanta and the South, who could do that better? The system will be in place that wins and will be the system that players would want to play in. The bottom line is that talent wins games. Systems win games. You have to have the system and talent in combination to win.
True Grant has won at VCU, but with the same type system that Felton had and that’s the same system that caused the forty plus Georgia players that are in the NCAA tournament to go to other schools. If UGA wants to keep in state players and get the best other players in the south to come to Athens, get a winning coach (Mike Anderson) with a player friendly winning system
Mark Bradley
March 20th, 2009
3:41 pm
There’s a reason you haven’t seen it. I apparently hallucinated it. Troy Brewer and Zac Swansey have been granted releases, not Dustin Ware. My apologies for being an idiot.
gdawginkalamazoo
March 20th, 2009
3:41 pm
For all you calling for a new facility in order to win, two words for you: FORD FIELD.
Mark Bradley
March 20th, 2009
3:46 pm
I believe someone will win at Ford Field in about 17 days, Kalamazoo.
And Too Easy? I can’t deny it. I laughed.
Bill
March 20th, 2009
3:46 pm
Mark, I bet that 6th grader is your daughter.
Mean Gene
March 20th, 2009
3:51 pm
Are you saying your wrong about Ware now or just trying to be funny?
daawg
March 20th, 2009
3:53 pm
Say again that Felton did more to screw up UGA basketball than Jirsa and Harrick combined. Good luck to the new coach digging out of Dennis’ ditch!
Right On Time
March 20th, 2009
3:53 pm
You worried me with the D.Ware comment.
BTW, I went to the Stegasaurus a few times this year and I don’t get all the hate. Other than being a little dark, I still think it is a fine facility and the roof is cool. The wall behind the student section has always been a little strange also, but I still like the place.
The main problem currently, as I stated above, is lack of players. Felton did a fine job of ensuring the players he left the new coach were on target with their grades…all 3 of them.
Mark Bradley
March 20th, 2009
4:04 pm
Let me be clear about this: Dustin Ware is not leaving. I was wrong. I have edited the erroneous comment to delete the reference. I’m sorry for any confusion. I’m also sorry for being wrong in the first place.
And that sixth grader, Bill, is indeed my daughter, who never gets a thing wrong.
Jeff Grady
March 20th, 2009
4:06 pm
Cameron is a crown jewel. It was by design that it has been allowed to remain small and intimate. Kids who go in there want to play there. Everyone wants to play there. So, don’t use Cameron as an example of a less grandiose venue that nonetheless has succeeded. Au Contraire: It is the crown jewel. Have you been there?
Josh
March 20th, 2009
4:10 pm
Thanks Mark
gdawginkalamazoo
March 20th, 2009
4:10 pm
Mark, SOMEBODY always wins at Ford Field, just not anyone associated with the Ford’s.
Ron Roberts
March 20th, 2009
4:15 pm
I’ve been to both Cameron AND Stegman; they’re both a little musty and dated, but they’re both fine facilities. My point was not to take a dig at Cameron; I’m just saying Cameron’s not a remarkably better facility, and yet Duke does just fine recruiting 5-star players. The coach is the draw, not the gym.
Mark Bradley
March 20th, 2009
4:18 pm
You win, Kalamazoo.
And Ron, I have been to Cameron. I’m sure it’s a great place to watch a game, but it’s a terrible place to cover one. You have to climb over the press table to squeeze into your seat because the Crazies are atop you. And once, at halftime, a female Crazy plopped her 32-oz. Big Gulp down in my work space and seemed offended when I asked her to remove it.
Cuz
March 20th, 2009
4:20 pm
If you think the Stege looks bare during B-ball games, wait till you see the 30,000 seat Youclan Colisieum. Hallooo in there……
Cuz
March 20th, 2009
4:23 pm
West Virginia, you are killing me against Dayton, almost as much as you did me in the Chik-fil-a Sugar Bowl.
Anthony Grant? - SECTalk Forums
March 20th, 2009
4:29 pm
[...] Anthony Grant? I could still care less, but if he’d bring in some wins, I’d watch a game or two of his. Enough already, Bulldogs: Hire Anthony Grant now! | Mark Bradley [...]
Mark Bradley
March 20th, 2009
4:53 pm
Temple just destroyed me. I had the Owls in the Elite Eight.
Ask the leadership coach » Enough already, Bulldogs: Hire Anthony Grant now! | Mark Bradley
March 20th, 2009
5:07 pm
[...] unknown posted a noteworthy aricle today onHere’s a small snippetYou all are crazy if you think he is going to come and coach against Donavon. He will sit at VCU until the perfect job comes along. And that means ACC or Florida. Maybe a Big East school in the Mid-Atlantic. … [...]
DCDawg fan
March 20th, 2009
5:44 pm
Mark,
Actually Mark, Anthony Grant will probably move up the road to UVA. Their coach recently resigned and Grant would be a perfect fit and don’t forget UVA has a brand new pro style arena and the allure of the ACC. Let’s face it we’re a football school and the wealthiest alums don’t really care about the state of the basketball team
buckheadbill
March 20th, 2009
6:00 pm
CJ, for some reason I can’t get fired up over our new corch being named “Dip”. As for Calipari, he would have UGA on probation in his first year. Case in point Robert Dozier who couldn’t get in UGA and had no problem at Memphis. The way the NCAA jumps us for minor violations, he won’t make it.
CJ
March 20th, 2009
6:34 pm
Alright, Bill. Can you at least look at his record? He has put the teams he coached in their respective National Tournaments.
http://www.aug.edu/athletics/sports/mbasketball/dip%20metress.htm
Plus, he’s in state and it wouldn’t cost Evans a lot to go see him.
I don’t think great coaching changes based on what Division you’re in.
Besides, what have we learned recently about Div. I vs. Div. II on a level field? (ex: Appalachian State vs. Michigan)
Mark Bradley
March 20th, 2009
6:41 pm
That’s twice this afternoon y’all have induced me to laugh out loud. (And I don’t laugh out loud often.) Too easy did it a little while ago, now buckheadbill. Y’all are too funny!