Grant To Alabama

((HT: Jeff Goodman/FoxSports))

Just hours after his former boss, Billy Donovan, decided to remain at Florida, VCU coach Anthony Grant has accepted the Alabama job.

Grant made the decision early Friday night, sources close to Alabama's program told FOXSports.com.

Grant ((pictured, thanks al.com)), who took Virginia Commonwealth to two NCAA tournament appearances in three seasons, replaces Mark Gottfried, who was fired during the season. VCU was 24-10 this past season and lost to UCLA in the first round of the NCAA tournament.

Grant, 42, met with Alabama officials in Richmond last weekend and then toured the campus Wednesday. According to sources, Alabama offered Grant a deal that was worth about $2 million per season.

Grant was in a holding pattern for a day or so because there was speculation that Donovan would leave Florida and go to Kentucky — thus leaving the door open for Grant to replace Donovan in Gainesville.

However, Donovan pulled his name from consideration and Grant opted to take the job in Tuscaloosa. The job with the Crimson Tide gives Grant a chance to coach on the other side of the SEC and not have to battle in the same division with Florida, Kentucky and Tennessee.

Ian Rapoport of the Birmingham News confirms:

Crimson Tide officials have agreed "in principle" with Virginia Commonwealth coach Anthony Grant for Grant to be the program's next basketball coach, Grant told The Birmingham News in a text message. No word on when a press conference will be held...

Alabama Set To Offer Grant MBB Job...

((HT: Al.com/Mobile Press-Register))

Gentry Estes lets us in on one of the most-recent worst-kept secrets- The University of Alabama is set to offer their head coaching vacancy to VCU's Anthony Grant ((pictured, thanks Getty Images)).

Grant is expected on the UA campus for what would be his second meeting in the past week with Crimson Tide officials.

There is no guarantee of Grant's acceptance, but a source close to the situation said the VCU coach is leaning toward making the move to Alabama. His potential deal would likely be worth more than $1.5 million annually.

Alabama athletics director Mal Moore and executive director of athletics Dave Hart met Sunday with Grant in Richmond, Virginia, according to a report by the Richmond Times-Dispatch. No offer was tendered, but the understanding was that Grant was asked to travel to Tuscaloosa for a second meeting.

Grant, 42, has been targeted as Alabama's top candidate since VCU's Thursday night loss to UCLA in the first round of the NCAA tournament. Rams athletics director Norwood Teague granted UA permission to approach Grant after Moore's request Saturday night.

Georgia has also expressed interest in Grant for its vacancy, but VCU sports information director Chris Kowalczyk confirmed Tuesday that the Bulldogs have not contacted VCU about Grant.

Grant was at his office in Richmond on Tuesday afternoon, Kowalczyk said.
"His car is right outside," Kowalczyk said. "He's in his office today."

Grant is a Miami native and played at Dayton in the 1980s. He worked his way through south Florida high schools and held assistant gigs at Stetson and Marshall before in 1996 beginning a 10-season stay under Billy Donovan at Florida.

After helping the Gators to the 2006 national title, Grant received his first head coaching job at VCU, which has won at least 24 games each year and reached two of the past three NCAA tournaments.

This season's squad went 24-10 and attained a Number 11 tournament seed.

Grant was set to make around $850,000 this season, according to salary totals reported by the Times-Dispatch. Per an extension announced last year, Grant's deal runs through the 2013-14 season.

Hoops Silly Season: Monday Update

With most of the teams out of any kind of title contention, it's time ((for those who want)) to look at hiring new head coaches for your college basketball teams.

Here's what we have so far...

Virginia- VCU's Anthony Grant is not in their picture at present.
Those of us at OSG HQ think that there is some ACC snobbery in play...
Tubby Smith is being considered heavily since he's turned Minnesota around. If Smith says no, then they wait for Oklahoma's Jeff Capel's tournament to finish.
The wild card at Virginia is UK's Billy Gillispie- if he is forced out, or if he leaves on his own.

Alabama- VCU has given permission for Bama to speak to Grant. Georgia has not, as of yet, but it is expected that UGA will get in the queue.

But be forewarned, contrary to current publishing, Grant is NOT the first choice of Georgia.
We figure AD Damon Evans is in the mood to make a big-money splash, but whoever the coach is will be fighting the football team for attention. Don't be surprised if they make a play for Capel as well, but we question why Capel would want to walk away from OU and head to Georgia in the first place.

The Grant issue will not come down to money. He makes $900K at VCU right now, and has some parts of a Top-20 recruting class headed his way. Don't be surprised if Grant stays where he is before all is said and done.

Good luck with that one...

Leitao Resigns: Grant On The Radar...?

((HT: WVIR NBC29))

Dave Leitao resigned on Monday as head coach of the University of Virginia's basketball team.
UVA Athletic Director Craig Littlepage and Leitao met on Monday and decided it was in the best interest of the program for Leitao to step down.

Littlepage said, "Dave has been a respected colleague and a fine University representative in the local community during his tenure here. He brought a great deal of leadership, discipline and integrity to his coaching responsibilities. I appreciate his hard work and dedication to athletics at the University of Virginia."

The Cavaliers finished their worst season since the late 1960s this year, going 4-12 in the ACC and 10-18 overall. Leitao, who began coaching at UVA in April 2005, took his teams to three post-season tournaments, including the 2007 NCAA tournament. He finished his career in Charlottesville with a record of 63-60.

The university will pay Leitao approximately $2.1 million as part of an agreement.

UVA says it will immediately begin a national search for a new coach.

"We expect to attract a strong pool of candidates interested in becoming a part of our University community," Littlepage said.

According to CBSSports.com, Leitao could be replaced by Oklahoma coach Jeff Capel. FoxSports.com's Jeff Goodman also lists Oklahoma's Sean Miller as a possible candidate for the job.

Here's WVIR's team coverage...

An interview with Mac McDonald is in black as well...

Those of us at OSG HQ, while we agree with some of the above-mentioned names, we have our ears tuned to VCU's Anthony Grant. He's local, he's in the tournament, and he's a good coach.
That also means that UGA Director of Athletics Damon Evans will really play the "friend" card to get Grant to Athens instead of Charlottesville.

College Basketball: Colonial Predictions

George Mason is still reaping the benefits of their at a loss for words Final Four run a few years back. The CAA still has some clout because of the popularity of G Mase, who had a great recruiting year. VCU & ODU are the one you should know out of the Colonial.

Best Team In The Colonial Athletic Association: Virginia Commonwealth Rams

VCU has made a commitment to star coach in the making Anthony Grant. LSU and South Carolina came a callin' but knows he's got a good thing going in Richmond. Why be the small fish in a big pond when his the kingfish of the CAA. Point guard Eric Maynor is the key to the Rams success. He can score, launch from the land of the 3 and distribute. Maynor puts his teammates in a position for success. VCU should rule the CAA this year.

Best Player In The CAA: Eric Maynor - Virginia Commonwealth

Maynor was second in the league in scoring last season averaging 17.9 points per game, led the CAA is assist with 5.5 per and shot 39% from the 3 point line.

Team That Could Surprise: Northeastern Huskies

All 5 starters return including Matt Janning who was 3rd in the CAA in scoring averaging 16.6 PPG. The Huskies already have a win over Providence from the Big East. We will see how good Northeastern is New Years Eve when the Huskies travel to Memphis to battle the Tigers

Who Goes Dancing: VCU

Who Plays For Number 66: ODU, Northeastern

CAA Predictions

1. VCU

2. Northeastern

3. Old Dominion

4. Delaware

5. George Mason

6. Georgia State

7. Hofstra

8. James Madison

9. William & Mary

10. UNC Wilmington

11. Drexel

12. Towson

Photo Courtesy: vcuathletics.com