ALABAMA ATHLETIC MEDIA RELATIONS Sunday, March 29, 2009 MEN’S COACH

ANTHONY GRANT INTRODUCED AS ALABAMA’S MEN’S BASKETBALL COACH The Crimson Tide's new men's basketball coach to be introduced Sunday TUSCALOOSA, Ala. – The will introduce Anthony Grant as the Crimson Tide’s men’s basketball head coach during a press conference Sunday at 6 p.m. Central time in the Naylor Stone Media Room in the Mal M. Moore Athletic Building on the UA campus. “I am pleased to announce that we have reached an agreement in principle with Antho- ny Grant to become men's basketball coach at the University of Alabama,” said UA Director of Athletics Mal Moore. “As our search progressed over the last few weeks it became readily apparent that Coach Grant is an excellent fit to lead our program. His record at irginiaV Commonwealth is outstanding and his coaching background is filled with championship success at the collegiate level.” Grant, the head coach at Virginia Commonwealth University since 2006, led the Rams to a 24-10 record this past season and a No. 11 seed in the NCAA Tournament before falling to UCLA in the final seconds, 65-64. The NCAA appearance was the second in Grant's three- year tenure at VCU and third straight postseason appearance. At VCU, he amassed a 76-25 (.752) record and a 45-9 (.833) mark in Colonial Athletic Association (CAA) games. “My family and I are very excited and grateful for the opportunity extended to us by Dr. Witt, Coach Moore and the University of Alabama,” said Grant. “We have been given the opportunity to create a very special situation for men’s basketball at the University of Alabama and we look forward to getting started. There’s a commitment throughout the athletic department to make sure that we have the resources necessary to compete for cham- pionships.” Grant comes to UA after leading the Rams to their third-straight CAA regular-season championship and second CAA Tournament title under his watch. In his two NCAA Tournament appearances he has a 1-2 record with a 79-77 upset win over Duke in the 2007 tournament. That season saw Grant lead the Rams to a program best 28-7 record and CAA Coach of the Year honors. “I am pleased to welcome Anthony Grant and his family to The University of Alabama and I’d like to commend Mal Moore for his efforts during this search,” said UA President Robert E. Witt. “Coach Grant has a proven record as a head coach, as well as a strong com- mitment to the success of student-athletes in all facets. Coach Grant’s vision, drive and integrity throughout this process made it clear to us that he is the right person to lead our men’s basketball program.” A Miami, Fla., native, Grant is no stranger to the having served 10 years on the staff at Florida, five years (1996-2001) as an assistant coach and five years as associate head coach under (2002-06). Grant helped lead the Gators to their first national title in 2006 and laid the groundwork for UF's 2007 national champion- ship before departing for VCU. While on the Florida staff, the Gators won the SEC Tourna- ment in 2005 and 2006, captured three SEC Eastern Division titles (2000, 2001 and 2002) and earned back-to-back SEC Championships in 2000 and 2001. In 1999 and 2000, the program made its first back-to-back 'Sweet 16' appearances in school history and appeared in the na- tional championship game in 2000. During Grant’s time in Gainesville, the Gators advanced to the NCAA Tournament in eight straight seasons and compiled a 226-98 (.698) record. Grant followed Donovan to Florida in 1996 after spending two seasons at Marshall (1994-96) as Donovan's top assistant. Prior to that, he spent one season as an assistant coach at Stetson (1993-94). Grant began his coaching career in the high school ranks in his home- town of Miami, Fla., where he won three state titles and was nationally ranked five times as an assistant at Miami Senior High School (1987-92) before serving one season as head coach at Miami Central High School (1992-93). Noted as a strong recruiter, Grant recruited and coached nine McDonald's All-Amer- icans and seven NBA first-round draft picks at Florida. Four of his last seven recruiting classes at UF were ranked in the top five nationally. At VCU his 2007 recruiting class was ranked as the fifth best in the mid-major ranks. Prior to beginning his coaching career, Grant played his collegiate career at the Univer- sity of Dayton (1983-87), guiding the Flyers to a 70-49 (.588) overall mark, a pair of NCAA Tournament appearances, and one NIT berth. In his 105 appearances in a Flyer uniform, Grant registered 11.6 points and 6.7 rebounds per game and was named the team's Most Valuable Player as a senior. Grant, who will be the 19th men’s head basketball coach in Alabama history, is married to the former Christina Harrell of Miami, Fla. They have three sons – Anthony, Preston and Makai – and one daughter, Jayda Danielle. What they’re saying ... THE ANTHONY GRANT FILE “I don’t think Alabama could have made a better choice. He’s the real Collegiate Coaching Experience thing. The thing about Anthony Grant Virginia Commonwealth University Head Coach 2006-09 is he’s all class. He’s a terrific leader of Year Record Pct. CAA Record Pct. Postseason/Honors young men. He gets it.” 2008-09 24-10 .706 14-4 .778 NCAA First Round/CAA Regular season - Jay Bilas, ESPN and Tournament champions 2007-08 24-8 .750 15-3 .833 NIT First Round “Anthony Grant is very classy. He’s CAA Regular season champions sneaky intense, has an easy demeanor, 2006-07 28-7 .800 16-2 .889 NCAA Second Round/CAA Regular a total gentleman, an intense competi- season and Tournament champions tor and he’s familiar with the league Total 76-25 .752 45-9 .833 and the area. He’s going to represent the university in the first-class way and Associate Head Coach 2001-06 they’re going to play really exciting Year Record Pct. SEC Record Pct. Postseason/Honors basketball -- he hasn’t forgotten the 2005-06 33-6 .846 10-6 .625 NCAA National Champions Billy Donovan full court pressure.” SEC Tournament Champions - Seth Davis, SI.com 2004-05 24-8 .750 12-4 .750 NCAA Second Round SEC Tournament Champions “People in basketball circles are well 2003-04 20-11 .645 9-7 .563 NCAA First Round aware that Anthony Grant played a 2002-03 25-8 .757 12-4 .750 NCAA Second Round pivotal role in building the Florida 2001-02 22-9 .710 10-6 .625 NCAA First Round/SEC East Champions basketball program into a nationally Total 124-42 .747 53-27 .663 competitive team. There are certain people you say who are wise beyond University of Florida Assistant Coach 1996-2001 their years and are an old soul. That’s Year Record Pct. SEC Record Pct. Postseason/Honors what you’re immediately struck by 2000-01 24-7 .774 12-4 .750 NCAA Second Round when you meet him. There’s a matu- 1999-00 29-8 .784 12-4 .750 NCAA Finals/SEC Champions rity, a presence, a gravitas there.” 1998-99 22-9 .710 10-6 .625 NCAA Sweet 16 - Steve Lavin, ESPN 1997-98 14-15 .483 6-10 .375 1996-97 13-17 .650 5-11 .313 “Grant is smart, composed, strategi- Total 102-56 .646 45-35 .563 cally creative, a terrific recruiter. His résumé has it all. He spent 10 years at Marshall University Assistant Coach 1994-96 Florida helping Billy Donovan build Year Record Pct. SoCon Record Pct. Postseason/Honors the program that won back-to-back 1995-96 17-11 .608 8-6 .571 national championships.” 1994-95 18-9 .667 10-4 .714 - Michael Wilbon, Washington Post Total 25-20 .625 18-10 .642

“The guy’s a stud, a flat-out superstar. Stetson University Assistant Coach 1993-94 There are few guys in the country that Year Record Pct. ASun Record Pct. Postseason/Honors have the kind of presence, knowl- 1993-94 14-15 .483 9-7 .563 edge, talent and ability that Anthony Total 14-15 .483 9-7 .563 Grant has. I think he’s not just one of the bright, young coaches in college basketball. I think he has a chance to High School Coaching Experience leave a tremendous legacy in college Miami Central High School Head Coach 1992-93 basketball.” - Dave Telep, scout.com Miami Senior High School Assistant Coach 1987-92 Won three state titles and earned five national rankings “He’s a great coach and he’s able to communicate with his players how Playing Experience much he cares about them as people, University of Dayton 1983-87 which I think makes guys play harder Led the Flyers to a 70-49 (.588) overall mark, a pair of NCAA Tournament appearances, and one for him. He’s been the key to my suc- NIT berth. Averaged 11.6 points and 6.7 rebounds per game and was named the team’s Most cess.” Valuable Player as a senior. - , VCU student-athlete Miami Tropics (USBL) 1987 Won the USBL championship

Education DID YOU KNOW ... University of Dayton, 1987 During Anthony Grant’s three years Awards and Honors at VCU, the Rams were one of only • 2007 Colonial Athletic Association Coach of the Year 14 programs in the nation to win 24 • Assistant Coach, 2008 USA Basketball U18 Team or more games in each of those three • Won 2006 NCAA Title with University of Florida seasons (2006-07 to 2008-09) • 1987 Team Most Valuable Player, University of Dayton • Appeared in two NCAA Tournaments and one NIT as a player with Dayton