Grant has Gator Support, New Website GatorsGrowlforGrant.com

UF players support hiring Grant
Written by David Jones
June 3rd, 2007


GAINESVILLE — If Anthony Grant is hired as the replacement for Billy Donovan at Florida, as many expect in the next few days, it would be a move that would make a lot of people happy.

Donovan became part of the past Friday, when he officially signed a long-term contract with the Orlando Magic after 11 years as the Gators' basketball coach, winning the last two national titles to conclude his tenure.

Grant, 28-7 in his first year at Virginia Commonwealth after working under Donovan the previous 12 as an assistant at Marshall and UF, could be the future. It wouldn't be a surprise. More than 100 newspapers and Web sites nationwide published stories forecasting the 41-year-old as the likely next Florida coach.

And that appears to be just fine with current and past Gators. Grant and Florida athletic director Jeremy Foley were expected to meet Saturday to discuss the job.

"He coaches the same style, so it would be good for us if coach Grant came back," said Walter Hodge, who will be a junior next season.

Support for Grant's hiring was instant. A Web site, GatorsGrowlforGrant.com, was started by one fan. UF recruit Adam Allen said Saturday that Grant is certainly his choice.

"I know him pretty good," he said. "He recruited me all my junior year and I feel pretty comfortable with him. If I was in that position to choose a coach, I'd pick him. All the recruits have said, if he comes, we're all staying. He's obviously a pretty good coach."

And if someone else gets the job?

"Then I've got to look into it more," Allen said.

Donovan promised the 6-foot-8 Allen that he could also pitch on the baseball team. There's also a concern about fitting into a different system than what Donovan — and Grant — have used.

Allen agreed that time is running out, if Florida wants to keep together a recruiting class that has been ranked No. 1 nationally by some. If one of the recruits becomes impatient and asks for a release from his scholarship, others may quickly follow.

Allen said that could easily happen. And if others decided to depart, would he also start thinking about getting out of his commitment?

"Of course," he said.

Recruits are supposed to arrive on campus in about three weeks.

"I don't want to go into a situation that you really don't know what's going to happen," Allen said. "If this had happened a month ago then it would have been a lot easier instead of right before I need to go off (to college). It really would help if they make the decision quick. It would put me in a better situation."

Grant was an assistant during Hodge's first year at UF. Hodge admitted that the team was "kind of" in shock after Donovan told the players he was leaving.

"But," said Hodge, "you have to move on."

That advancement could include Grant. Hodge said it will make the loss of Donovan a much smoother transition.

"If coach Grant comes back, it's not like it's a big difference," Hodge said. "It's the same style. It's almost the same thing. It would be good for us. That's a great situation for us. That's going to be interesting for us if coach Grant comes back."

Hodge is one of the few veterans on the team. He is faced with a situation where he will now be one of the leaders who must try to pull the team back together.

"All the freshmen, they are ready to shine," Hodge said. "They feel they will have to keep building something special, so they feel good about it. I will help them to develop that."

Taurean Green, who left after his junior year for the NBA Draft this month, agreed that Grant is the perfect guy to take over for Donovan.

"Definitely, I would love to see coach Grant come back," Green said. "That would be great. I love coach Grant to death. I don't know what's going to happen, but I would love to see coach Grant back."


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