VCU led its basketball team in a new direction in April when the university hired the ninth coach in the program’s history, Anthony Grant.
Grant finished his 10th year as an assistant for the University of Florida Gators. The Gators won the national championship last year, with coach Grant as the assistant head coach to Billy Donovan.
Grant is now stepping into a whole new world as he commands an entire team for the first time. “I’m excited,” Grant said. “VCU has such a rich tradition. I think we have players that have a mix of experience, athleticism and youthfulness, so yeah, I’m excited.”
The Rams program was turned around under former head coach Jeff Capel, who led the Rams to a CAA championship in 2004. Capel left to become the head coach for the University of Oklahoma. In the eyes of the Rams, Grant has some big shoes to fill. He says he doesn’t feel any added pressure however, as he is excited about continuing on where Capel left off.
“I know that this place has always been a place where the opponent has always had a tough time coming into our house and coming out with a W,” Grant said, “so I’m just looking forward to continuing on with that.”
“I like to win,” he said. “So we’ll take it one game at a time. Our main focus is trying to get these guys prepared for the beginning of the season.”
Grant has picked up experience everywhere he has been. According to Grant, he learned how to play high school basketball under a hall-of-fame coach. He then played college basketball in for the University of Dayton (1983-1987). After that, he was a prep coach for the University of Miami (1987-1993).
After leaving Miami, he coached with Donovan for 12 years, the last 10 years in Florida. “I really believe VCU has got one of the greatest coaching candidates they could have ever possibly dreamed of,” Donovan said. “To be honest with you, I’m very surprised that this has not happened for Anthony a lot sooner.”
“Being with Bill Donovan for 12 years certainly helped me learn a lot,” Grant said. “I was fortunate to be with him for as long as I have. He is one of my best friends in life.”
At a press conference held after Grant’s hiring, VCU athletics director Dr. Richard L. Sander said, “Anthony Grant was our man from the get-go. We knew he was our guy.”
In 2002 Sports Illustrated named Grant as one of the greatest young minds in the NCAA. This was also when he was promoted to assistant head coach for the Gators. This is why the Rams believed Grant was such a great fit for this program.
Grant has always been fond of Richmond and now he is adjusting to his new life here. “I have a brother who lives here, so I have been here before,” said Grant. “There is a lot to do here. It’s a great city.”
The Rams are playing their first regular season game Monday, Nov. 13, in Farmville where they will play Longwood University. They will host Hampton University Nov. 25 for the first home game of the season.
Grant said he cannot wait to see all of the Rams’ fans at the Stuart C. Siegel Center supporting their team. “We want to carry on the Rams home tradition,” Grant said, “and we’re going to need the help of the student body and all of our fans to support us.”