Is Anthony Grant now a candidate-in-waiting for Florida?
Just Wednesday, the Virginia Commonwealth University basketball coach was being given the on-campus VIP treatment at Alabama, a school in search of a coach. Yesterday, attention shifted to a scenario that could land Grant back at Florida, where he served as an assistant and is held in high regard by the athletic director.
In Alabama, The Birmingham News reported that during his day-long courtship in Tuscaloosa Grant was offered the Alabama job at a salary of more than $2 million per year and given a five days to inform Tide officials whether he would accept.
Grant did not talk with VCU athletic administrators yesterday, and there was no announcement from him, VCU or Alabama.
The scenario that could put Grant in Florida starts at the Univeristy of Kentucky, where a decision on coach Billy Gillispie's future is expected today, according to espn.com. If the Wildcats and Gillispie part ways, as is widely anticipated, there is a possibility that Florida coach Billy Donovan could be persuaded to take the Kentucky job, according to two sources familiar with the situation.
Donovan turned down Kentucky two years ago. Instead, he signed with the NBA's Orlando Magic -- and then did an about-face, returning to Florida just as the Gators were set to hire Grant.
Florida athletic director Jeremy Foley had flown into Richmond to meet with Grant when Foley got word that Donovan was having second thoughts.
Grant was Foley's top choice then, and a source said that has not changed.
Florida represents Grant's dream job. Before being hired at VCU three years ago, the Miami native spent 10 seasons in Gainesville as Donovan's assistant and helped the Gators to the first of consecutive national championships.
In Florida, The Gainesville Sun reported that a source said Foley "wants assurances that Grant would be available if Donovan was to leave" before granting permission for Kentucky to talk to Donovan.
Grant has not returned repeated messages since he talked with Alabama officials on Sunday.
VCU President Eugene P. Trani, through a school spokesperson, declined to talk about Grant's situation.
Two longtime Rams fans, meanwhile, seemed resigned that Grant is likely to leave. VCU is 76-25 in his three seasons, with three Colonial Athletic Association regular-season titles and two trips to the NCAA tournament.
"I think the feeling is sooner or later he's going to leave us," Rick Childers said. "I've seen every game he's coached. He's a great coach. I think he will do well wherever he goes. I wish him all the best in the world. I'll be a fan of his forever."
Said Jim Gossip Sr.: "However this thing breaks, VCU will be fine moving forward. This is an absolutely great situation. It is coveted by a lot of people."
Contact Tim Pearrell at (804) 649-6965 or tpearrell@timesdispatch.com.
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