See also, “The Godfather: Why PC is Perfect for Anthony Grant”
While we realize Grant is unlikely to be the next coach at Providence for numerous reasons, we will still make the case why the union makes sense for both sides. First up is what should make Grant appealing to Bob Driscoll.
1. The ability to recruit is perhaps the most important trait the next PC coach must posses. Grant has already proven himself as a successful recruiter.
Recruiting is the life-blood of college athletics. A coach can be the best at developing his players, and at in-game strategy. But, failing to bring in top-notch talent renders each of those strengths moot. At PC, particularly, a coach needs to be a dynamic recruiter to win at the Big East level. Grant is the recruiter Providence needs going into recruits’ homes and selling the program.
At Florida, Grant’s track record on the recruiting trail was stunning. UF inked nine McDonald’s All American’s during his tenure as assistant coach (1996-2001) and associate head coach (2002-’06). Seven Gators who player during Grant’s time in Gainesville were drafted by NBA teams, and Florida had top-five signing classes in four of Grant’s last seven years there.
I can hear the dissenters already –”But, it was at Florida, a school with infinitely more resources, and nicer weather, coeds, etc. than PC.” And, “Billy D was the head coach when all that talent was brought in. Don’t you think he had something to do with that success?” All valid points, and one’s that I would never deny. Grant certainly had more to sell recruits at Florida than he would at PC, and he wasn’t the head man there.
If you choose to pessimistically detract from Grant’s recruiting success based on those facts, let’s examine what he’s done at a school where he is the head honcho, and that has less to offer than PC as a more accurate barometer. At VCU, his 2007 recruiting class was ranked fifth among mid-majors by rivals.com. When you take into account that two of the four schools ranked ahead of VCU can hardly be classified as mid-majors (Memphis and Gonzaga), Grant and his staff (and it’s important to note his staff since they would likely move with him to his next job) did a phenomenal job.
While I wouldn’t expect him to land the top class in the Big East at Providence, I feel confident with him accentuating the positives PC has to offer, and convincing some terrific talent that his staff and PC present the right situation for them to excel.
2. The next coach of Providence needs to stress defense, something Grant’s squads have excelled at.
I’ll let the stats do most of the talking on this one. This season, Grant’s Rams led the CAA in points per game average (58.8), field goal percentage defense (38.1%), three-point field goal percentage defense (26.9%), steals per game 7.91, and, most importantly, scoring margin (+8.6). Check those out again. In many of those areas, the team that finished second didn’t even come close to sniffing VCU. Additionally, they finished second in blocked shots (5.31) and turnover margin (+1.56).
Grant’s teams play a frenetic style of team defense that suffocated BCS schools Duke and Pittsburgh (when was the last time the Friars D could say this?) in last season’s NCAA Tournament. The man can coach defense, and aside from hiring an ace recruiter, PC must find a coach that fits that bill.
Last season’s numbers, although not as dominating as this year’s output, were also encouraging, particularly the number of steals, which reflects Grant’s style of play. Also consider that VCU lost most of it’s key contributors from last year’s squad, and Grant’s ability to get the current group of Rams to improve on the defensive end is even more impressive.
3. Grant fits the mold of young, energetic coach that PC should be looking for.
In our mind, this should be Driscoll’s main goal — find a dynamic, up-and-coming, young coach to energize the PC community. If TCU’s recent hiring of Jim Christian is any indication, this is apparently not the profile Driscoll is targeting, which is a shame. We certainly would be excited if Phil Martelli or Jim Larranaga, both older coaches, were hired, but not at the expense of over-looking young coaches such as Grant.
Grant, 41, is the best of a talented crop of young coaches. He is the perfect type of charismatic, well-spoken, high-energy candidate that Providence should put the full-court press on. As a small Catholic college, PC will always put a heavy emphasis on public appearance, and the coach of the Friars is the single most public figure at the school. Grant would represent the school well, while also delivering a successful product on the hardwood.
