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“You never want to have the results we had of a losing season, but I thought coming in knowing what the program lost the year before … we knew coming in we would have a new group,” he said. “The thing I told those guys when I took over was the expectations of winning championships doesn’t change.
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Grant admits this third stop in his head coaching career is different than the stints at VCU and Alabama. There is a heightened responsibility taking the reins of your alma mater.
“This is home, this is definitely a lot different,” Grant said. “I wouldn’t say I feel pressure, I think it’s more of an obligation to take care of a family jewel.”
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Grant has spent a lot of time this summer crisscrossing the country watching the future stars of college basketball. The Flyers have made offers to several players in the recruiting process, but Grant said if you get it right half the time in recruiting you’re doing pretty good.
“A guy told me a long time ago there’s two mistakes you can make when recruiting,” he said. ” It’s OK to miss on a great player (but) it’s not OK to bring someone in that doesn’t fit who you are and what you do.”
The second-year coach is excited about this year’s team.
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“I think we have a group that is probably ahead of where we were last year,” Grant said. “This is a team that will continue to get better. I think they really enjoy being around each other.”
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