Perhaps Anthony Grant has found a permanent home. After speculation that Grant was in line for head coaching positions at South Carolina and LSU, Anthony Grant decided to stay put at VCU. He was rewarded for that decision with a raise and a contract extension through the 2013-04 season. "Coach Grant has had a significant positive impact on the entire university, not just athletics," VCU president Eugene Trani said Thursday. "We have tremendous confidence in what he will be able to do going forward."
Having witnessed the VCU hometown reaction when Grant stepped on the court for their second round matchup against Towson in the CAA tournament, I can confirm to you that Grant has rock star status in Richmond, home of Virginia Commonwealth. He got the loudest ovation of anyone including when Eric Maynor was announced in the starting lineup. All Grant has done in two years is lead the Rams to a 52-15 record, two CAA regular season championships, a 2006-07 CAA Conference Tournament championship, a first round upset of Duke in the 2007 NCAA tournament and a NIT berth.
Grant's decision to stay will most likely result in Eric Maynor's decision to stay at VCU for his senior season. Maynor, the CAA's Most Valuable Player this past season has had thoughts of declaring for the NBA draft. Grant does lose three starters to graduation; All CAA First Team guard Jamal Shuler, forward Michael Anderson, and center Wil Fameni. However, Grant has a good nucleus returning in Maynor, guard Joey Rodriguez and center Larry Sanders, who looks to be on the verge of being the most dominant big man in the CAA.
So it looks like several more years of an athletic VCU team pressing its opponents for 40 minutes. That's not good news for the rest of the CAA. But the Rams' fans can breathe a little bit easier this morning. Their coach seems to like it there in Richmond.
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