Gary Grant wants to coach at Michigan

[obie7661]

http://www.cantonrep.com/index.php?Category=17&ID=344174&r=23&subCategoryID=

[monte81]

Gary Grant was one of the best HS and college players to come out of Stark County. He had a very lasting NBA career with several teams and has gained coaching experience on the college and pro level. UM has struggled to regain the fame of the late 80's and 90's under Amekar and a change was absolutely needed. 20 win seasons does not get it these days you have to be stronger and UM was not attracting big name talent as of late. When you are losing all the top talent from the Widwest to OSU, MSU, Indiana, and now Wisconsin and Minnesoda on the rise with Tubby Smith. G. Grant would be a great hire for UM and I would love to see him get a shot.

[MTown]

Gary Grant to Michigan....keep the NIT streak alive!

Seriously now, he was probably the best basketball player to ever come out of Stark County...but no way he's the guy for the Michigan job.

[Al.]

Gary Grant to Michigan....keep the NIT streak alive!

Seriously now, he was probably the best basketball player to ever come out of Stark County...but no way he's the guy for the Michigan job.

Of course that depends on what they are looking for http://www.vfxtalk.com/forum/images/smilies/tounge-in-cheek.gif

[monte81]

Gary Grant to Michigan....keep the NIT streak alive!

Seriously now, he was probably the best basketball player to ever come out of Stark County...but no way he's the guy for the Michigan job.

How can you say that he is not capable of coaching at UM. He was a star at the school and would not have been an asst. in the NBA and college if not worthy and had coaching skills. Probably one of the best players to teach a young player defense and work ethic.

Give a list of canidates you think should get considered

[CarlE]

Gary Grant to Michigan....keep the NIT streak alive!

Seriously now, he was probably the best basketball player to ever come out of Stark County...but no way he's the guy for the Michigan job.

MTown:

Do you have any clue as to Gary Grant's resume'. He's been a freaking NBA assistant for years now, most recently with the Portland Trailblazers. If that doesn't make you qualified, bro I'm not sure what does. Obviously a resume' of some spoiled successful rich kid at Duke didn't work.

[MTown]

I can't believe I'm about to say this...but IT IS MICHIGAN. With their athletic budget they should be able to go out and get a PROVEN college coach. Not Brian Ellerbe, not Tommy Amaker...but someone who has won games in college.

One guy I'd look at right now is Reggie Theus.
Call up Mark Few from Gonzaga and ask him what it will take.
I'd even go for Southern Illinois coach.

Start there, pay the money, upgrade the facilities. Izzo at MSU is killing Michigan basketball. UM will have to step up or this is going to continue.

[monte81]

Grant can get the recruits to come. If he was there last year--- Raymar Morgan would be in Ann Arbor instead of East Lansing!

Few would be a good coach anf THies also but Grant is a Michigan guy and let's see what he can do. Matta was not the likely choice at OSU but look what has happened!

[dirtybear]

Gary Grant is just as good of a fit just like anyone else.

# 1. Some of you people on hear really think that you need to have a name to become a coach at a major program. If he was the coach a year earlier Raymar would be at Michigan and not Michigan State and then he would have had a chance at the big man from GlenOak. It's not the name of the coach it is the DRIVE and PASSION he has a coach to get the job done.

#2 Why Not Gary, What makes him and different then Sean Miller, Steve Alford or any other standout college player that is now coaching. Gary Has Pro Coaching experience, that's the highest level of basketball right.

#3 When looking for a coach, you look for the best person that will fit with your kids first and then your program. Basketball is still Basketball and the X's & O's are still the same. It's about how fast can you get this group to play as a team.

#4 The only thing that a Big Name will do for you is give you option to leave when you want the better deal, but even the big name coach had to start somewhere.

So as you guys think of your list of Big Name Coaches and as you post them I will name The Big Time Players That they have had. Please understand I am not hating on them they have pay there dues and busted there butts to get there.

[monte81]

Gary Grant is just as good of a fit just like anyone else.

# 1. Some of you people on hear really think that you need to have a name to become a coach at a major program. If he was the coach a year earlier Raymar would be at Michigan and not Michigan State and then he would have had a chance at the big man from GlenOak. It's not the name of the coach it is the DRIVE and PASSION he has a coach to get the job done.

#2 Why Not Gary, What makes him and different then Sean Miller, Steve Alford or any other standout college player that is now coaching. Gary Has Pro Coaching experience, that's the highest level of basketball right.

#3 When looking for a coach, you look for the best person that will fit with your kids first and then your program. Basketball is still Basketball and the X's & O's are still the same. It's about how fast can you get this group to play as a team.

#4 The only thing that a Big Name will do for you is give you option to leave when you want the better deal, but even the big name coach had to start somewhere.

So as you guys think of your list of Big Name Coaches and as you post them I will name The Big Time Players That they have had. Please understand I am not hating on them they have pay there dues and busted there butts to get there.

It is about time you posted something. I see you logged in everyday and never post anything!! We need insight on issues from players and coaches such as you to give some real life meaning to some of the sports threads!!! Call me dude!!

I want G. Grant to get the job!

[MTown]

BIG, BIG, BIG difference from being a pro-assistant, to running a college program. Ask Larry Brown the difference. You are responsible for so much more than X's and O's in college, mainly RECRUITING!

Gary Grant, as great a player as he was, has no business coming in to a Big Ten program and running it without ANY prior college coaching experience. How would he do in the living room of a kid when he's up against Thad Matta, Tom Izzo, and Kelvin Sampson when he's never recruited before? Michigan is already at a disadvantage because of their lousy facilities compared to OSU, Michigan State, and Indiana. He has no ties to any area high school coaches (where the real recruiting inroads are made). All he has is his reputation as a player. There's no way he's taking away a kid from those 3.

And for the record, I was ALL FOR Ohio State hiring Thad Matta. I knew exactly who he was at Butler and Xavier. I loved his style of play and his ability to recruit. Remember, his last Xavier team almost beat Duke in the Elite 8. I was ecstatic when he was hired. As for Michigan, if they want to hire Gary Grant, more power to them. But they will continue to get crushed in recruiting and on the floor by Michigan State.

[CarlE]

BIG, BIG, BIG difference from being a pro-assistant, to running a college program. Ask Larry Brown the difference. You are responsible for so much more than X's and O's in college, mainly RECRUITING!

Gary Grant, as great a player as he was, has no business coming in to a Big Ten program and running it without ANY prior college coaching experience. How would he do in the living room of a kid when he's up against Thad Matta, Tom Izzo, and Kelvin Sampson when he's never recruited before? Michigan is already at a disadvantage because of their lousy facilities compared to OSU, Michigan State, and Indiana. He has no ties to any area high school coaches (where the real recruiting inroads are made). All he has is his reputation as a player. There's no way he's taking away a kid from those 3.

And for the record, I was ALL FOR Ohio State hiring Thad Matta. I knew exactly who he was at Butler and Xavier. I loved his style of play and his ability to recruit. Remember, his last Xavier team almost beat Duke in the Elite 8. I was ecstatic when he was hired. As for Michigan, if they want to hire Gary Grant, more power to them. But they will continue to get crushed in recruiting and on the floor by Michigan State.


Recruiting is nothing more than sales, right? And who better to sell Michigan than one of their biggest products EVER? Sorry MTown I'm totally disagreeing with you on this one, bro.

[MTown]

How many 17 year old kids even know who Gary Grant is?

Seriously, if Gary Grant goes to Michigan, how is he going to sell kids on Michigan over Ohio State, Indiana, and Michigan State? All those other programs can point to top flight arenas and practice facilities, and recent success. The name "Michigan" is not going to have the same kind of pull when all your recent history is in the NIT.

[monte81]

MTown,

Every player in HS in Ohio knows who gary Grant is and would do a great job at UM.

He has recruited before and currently on the staff of Steve Fisher at San Diego State and helps with recruiting. He also coaches the ABA California team in the summer. Don't you think he can win over some kids in Stark County who play for big ten schools-- he would be tapping in on their kids in a matter of days.

[MTown]

I'm just not seeing it. For Michigan's sake they need to get it right, and if they feel Grant is right guy I hope they get him.

Minnesota just landed Tubby Smith, which I consider a lesser job than Michigan. Do all of you really think that Gary Grant is a better college coach than Tubby Smith? Michigan should be able to get a better quality (not name) coach.

Regardless, I cannot believe Michigan has allowed their athletic department to get itself in the position they are in. They are having an identity crisis.

[dirtybear]

MTown

Just this weekend I saw a 6th Grade girls team run the same offense as the Georgetown Hoyas. Massillon run the same Offense and you can't question that becuse I know that one first hand. Gary Grant (SDSU) coached College basketball before so yes he has Recruited and as far as recruiting kids, #1 where they can play right now #2 how comfortable they are with the coach. The big guy from GlenOak said he's going to OSU because it was a dream to always play there. Not because of what the coach said. I will bet you he was told something like this.

.................................. EDUCATION
.................................. WE MAKE SURE OUR KIDS GO TO CLASS
.................................. TRADITION
MY FAV.
................................... WE 'RE GOING TO BUILD AROUND YOU
................................... WE HAVE SUCH AND SUCH GREAT EDUCATIONAL DEPARTMENT
................................... WE CARE ABOUT YOU,YOUR FAMILY

I think you get the picture, and who every made that kid feel wanted and Dear Old Mom smile that kid will play for you.

[OTC TIGER]

Isn't Grant married to Fran Drecsher from the "Nanny"...She is pretty Hot :heee:

[monte81]

Isn't Grant married to Fran Drecsher from the "Nanny"...She is pretty Hot :heee:

For real?????

[CarlE]

Isn't Grant married to Fran Drecsher from the "Nanny"...She is pretty Hot :heee:

Not sure if they are married but I did hear they were dating. There's a guy I used to work with in NY whose wife is Fran's best friend. I'm getting confirmation on that as we speak for some folks over on the McKinley web site.

[warren1st]

Regardless, I cannot believe Michigan has allowed their athletic department to get itself in the position they are in. They are having an identity crisis.
Now you're starting to get it. UM's goal is to be the "other Northwestern" in the Big 10 as they consider themselves the top two schools academically. It's becoming very sad and it begins at the top.

Personally, I think they need a young, dynamic AD like Don Canham was back in '68 and they need a new president who knows or cares a little at least about sports..............'til then, mediocrity continues to raise it's ugly head.

I know I'm being a little sarcastic but I'm very frustrated and also tired of people saying to me, "Can't you beat Ohio State in anything?"

[MTown]

If that's what Michigan is going for, it's incredibly short sighted. There is no reason why a top academic schools cannot have top flight athletics too. I would be curious to see if donations to the school have slowed down since their athletics slip. Whether that president likes it or not, people's emotions are many times linked with success on the field and on the court...and when big wins make them feel good, they are more likely to open the checkbook and make a donation.

[monte81]

If that's what Michigan is going for, it's incredibly short sighted. There is no reason why a top academic schools cannot have top flight athletics too. I would be curious to see if donations to the school have slowed down since their athletics slip. Whether that president likes it or not, people's emotions are many times linked with success on the field and on the court...and when big wins make them feel good, they are more likely to open the checkbook and make a donation.

Last year Braylan Edwards started the "Anthony Carter scholarship award" giving a $100,000 a year to a student. However I am not certain about athletic donations.

UM can be a great educational institution and athletic University at the same time. Sports makes college unique and fuels the student bodies spirtual foundation in the Big Ten Conference! maybe if they would not have exiled the "Fab Five" they could donate some $$$$$$ to the program. A few years ago if memory recalls Chris Webber's money was basically turned down!! I know he gave alot of money to Michigan High Schools in Detroit as well.

[longtimefirsttime]

Rumored candidates for their position include UNLV's Lon Kruger, West Virginia's John Beilein, Southern Illinois' Chris Lowery , Vanderbilt's Kevin Stallings, Butler's Todd Lickliter. That's in addition to former players Grant and Mark Hughes (an assistant with the Sacramento Kings), who have expressed an interest in the position.

Is Jud Heathcote too old? :wink:

[GrowlingTiger87]

I like Lon. I'd love to have them look at Mark Few. Grant wouldn't be a bad choice at all. He WOULD be able to sway some from Stark County for sure. I believe he is very much qualified to take this job.

I do know this: I am sick of seeing fast starts, and fizzling at the end when they need a big win to get in the big dance. I wouldn't have minded Tubby, but he's gone, and they need to act, and act FAST!

[monte81]

WV's coach John Beilein is reported been offered the position. I cannot argue with the choice!! Maybe G. Grant can lobby UM and Beilein for a recritr/asst. coaching position!!

[longtimefirsttime]

On Beilein:
http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2007/basketball/ncaa/04/02/bc.bkc.michigan.beilein.ap/

[GrowlingTiger87]

I still would have liked Tubby, but hey...

[obie7661]

http://www.nytimes.com/2007/04/04/sports/ncaabasketball/04ncaa.html?ref=sports

[MTown]

This is awesome. Michigan hired the guy who just won the NIT. Coincidence?

[longtimefirsttime]

It's a step up. :wink: Just kidding. He has the credentials to lead the program back to respectability.

[longtimefirsttime]

Since West Virginia was mentioned in this thread, I'll post this here.

"West Virginia athletic director Ed Pastilong is charged with the responsibility of finding John Beilein's replacement. Two candidates that should be mentioned prominently are Eastern Kentucky coach Jeff Neubauer and Kansas State coach Bob Huggins."
Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

[obie7661]

Huggins would do well at West Virginia, and he'd be closer to home.