Anthony Grant National COY...Did we miss out in 2008

[Warrior-Eagle]

My recollection is that Anthony Grant was one of the hottest young coaches in 2008 after his first two years at VCU as head coach with many targeting him to replace Crean..... and a decade later he is a National COY.

We pass on Grant and he goes on to take the Alabama job replacing Mark Gottfried that resigned mid season after a decade with 5 NCAA appearances and couple league championships. Gottfried could never live up to the Wimp Sanderson era expectations (same number of NCAA tourney appearances as AL).

Back to Anthony Grant... He leads Alabama for six seasons which peaked in year two(conf champ), year 3(NCAA appearance)  and averaging 20 wins a year over his tenure. My guess many scoopers potentially led by MDG would have moved on with that performance which is not unreasonable.

Story continues...Alabama moves on and swings for the fences with Avery Johnson for nearly $3 million a year and a negotiated buyout of $5.5 million for a 75-62 record in return. Next up, Nate Oats for $2.5 million a year with a modest $ 8 million buyout to restore the program to at least Gottfried level. It's only a year with a 16-15 record and just a bit behind Johnson's 18-15 year one start.

Back to Anthony Grant....Back home at Dayton(alma mater) and off to a slow start in year 1 at 14-17 following up with 21-12 in year 2 and 29-3 in year 3....Obi Toppin NPOY his recruit but without NCAA tourney the final grade in INC..I understand its the AAC like many will debate..

The Buzz Era turned out fine on the court. Yet, the Alabama coaching carousel has some interesting parallels MU post the Wimp Sanderson Era of success. Perhaps, Alabama was to impatient with Grant and made the investment with no return. Perhaps they cut their losses because it was a bad fit.

[The Sultan]

We didn't pass on Grant. He passed on us.

[oldwarrior81]

11 seasons as head coach.  One win in NCAA, which was back in 2007, his first year as a head coach.

Around these parts I'd guess there would be a number of posters calling for his resignation the day he was hired.

[MikeDeanesDarkGlasses]

Tough to say.  What he accomplished at Alabama is decent for that school compared to MU. 

What needs to be asked is what changed between Alabama and Dayton?  Did he get lucky on a recruit?  Is this his Outlier year?

Regardless, I don't think you can compare to Wojo.  AG can coach up players that's not going to happen with Wojo.

[drbob]

Get A  new schtick.  So tired of listening to you bad mouth Wojo .  What proof that Grant can "coach up players " while Wojo can't ???    One trick pony.

[MikeDeanesDarkGlasses]

Get A  new schtick.  So tired of listening to you bad mouth Wojo .  What proof that Grant can "coach up players " while Wojo can't ???    One trick pony.

Grant has taken a group of all 3 star recruits (with only 1 4 star) and let them to a combined 50 wins in the last 2 seasons.  He's only been at Dayton 3 years.  He took over after Archie Miller left and was left with a very young team that he's molded into a #1 seed this year.

I will say this..  he lucked out on Obi Toppin.  Obi Toppin was an unranked recruit. 

[BallBoy]

Comparing AG to Buzz, which would be the comparison, I would say Buzz was much better so we didn't miss out.

Next AG's resume at Alabama was worse than Wojo's record at Marquette so we didn't miss out there.

He has one very impressive year at Dayton. His best wins were SMC and about it. Going undefeated in the A10 is an accomplishment. He lost to both really good team he played. If he leaves then I would also say MU didn't miss out. He would have seen us as a stepping stone.

[Mr. Sand-Knit]

That Dayton team comes in 5th in this years BiG East.  A10 a low major this year

[MikeDeanesDarkGlasses]

That Dayton team comes in 5th in this years BiG East.  A10 a low major this year

Easily in the top 3 of Big East. 

[Mr. Sand-Knit]

Wrong
Nova creighton n sh kick their ass twice, providence prolly does too