UGA and Anthony Grant getting closer?

Virginia Commonwealth's Anthony Grant
David Hale of the Macon Telegraph says that Anthony Grant was in Atlanta after his team was eliminated from the NCAA Tourney for "recruiting" purposes. TotalUGA.com's Brett Jensen takes it a step further saying that UGA has offered the job to Grant (subscription required).

(UPDATE: David Hale has confirmed directly from UGA that no such offer has been extended. More on that shortly)

I'm expecting multiple false starts -- both real and rumored -- during this search. I think the administration is expecting that as well. So this could all be nothing. Or it could be the start of an announcement process next week. Georgia can do much worse than Grant (age 42).

His accomplishments at Florida (12 years):

1 National Title
2 Final Fours
2 SEC Tourney Titles
2 SEC Regular Season Titles
3 SEC East Titles
Dozens of obscenely talented players

As a head coach at VCU (3 years):

3 CAA Regular Season Titles
2 CAA Tourney Titles
2 High Major Wins (Duke & Maryland)

Pearl and Donovan were both mid-major coaches before landing in the SEC so hiring a mid-major doesn't scare me. And it doesn't mean "Felton II." More than anyone else we could possibly interview, Grant knows what type of athlete, effort and system required to win in today's SEC.

The downside with the guy I've mentioned numerous times. He's in a mediocre at best league where one transformational player completely shifts the power structure of the league. His transformational player was recruited by his predecessor, and I think his offense needs a lot of work.

Bottom line -- he could be Mark Richt, or he could be Brad Scott. We won't know until he gets here. If he's coming here.

I was hoping and continue to hope that we'd shoot a bit higher and use Grant as a strong Plan B candidate. I continue to hope that is the case. My own sources haven't said word one about these rumors, but they usually don't chime in over the weekend. My sources are all union labor, and don't work weekends. (kidding)

Let's see where we are on Tuesday.

PWD


Note 1: I heart Mike Anderson and Sean Miller
Note 2: Grant's agent is a UGA grad.