What is it about Grant?

RonnieDobbs

RonnieDobbs

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Hey I'm here for a favor. I read the posts and comments somewhat regularly. I'm an incredibly poor poster myself (my efforts on a great blog about the Wizards, bulletsforever.com, are just sad)....anyway, my point is I don't read every single post and I'm curious as to the hostility toward Grant. I don't doubt he deserves it but I'd really like to understand better. I know he tried to take Sanders....and I've seen indications that many of the players feel betrayed. I've seen some indications on here that he may have been intentionally misleading, or that he flat out lied. Is that what's going on? Capel seems to get universal love and I'm pretty sure he wanted to take Maynor, didn't he? I root for Capel too, and I'm perfectly content disliking Grant, so I guess what I'm asking for is an education. Thanks.
 
We've had 3 going on 4 years to get over Capel. I'm sure the hostility was similar to what you saw about Grant right after he left for OU.
 
In my opinion both Coaches did the same thing, or close enough. The only difference is that what happened with Coach Grant is so new, and the fans have had some time to heal after Capel leaving. It just takes time. Having Grant come in after Capel and win 28 games probably helped speed that process along. If Coach Smart can do the same thing then people will be saying who needs AG. If the team had fallen apart (Joey, Larry, etc.) after him leaving or if the team struggles this season then it could sting a little longer. Personally I am over it. Coach Smart came in, put together a great staff, recruited like crazy, and is getting the team in shape for this season. I am just as excited waiting for the season to start as I would be if Grant was still here. I plan on giving both Capel and Grant heck when they come back to the Stu, but other then that it doesn't matter to me if they win or lose. They have already gotten paid, it really doesn't matter any way.
 
one thing about Capel's departure that I think gets a bit forgotten is that there was some grumbling, albeit mild, about various things ...including the frequent seeming lack of offensive planning or innovation. It wasn't so much that there was a strong sentiment to replace him as it was a bloom coming of the rose and a sense that maybe, just maybe, he had plateaued... after all, we'd gone from 1st in '04 to 6th in '06 ...so when he left the sting was softened a little bit by the idea that maybe it was an opportunity in disguise ...but he had put in some really good time, solidified and cleaned up the post-Sonny turn around started by Mac... he had paid enough dues

with Grant there had just been a great effort made to raise his salary, he was riding an upward arc, and his first class of recruits hadn't even graduated yet... and then when he did leave, it was in a very public shopping around kind of way... plus Eblen (and allegedly Larry, although I don't know that that's ever been confirmed) ... that all combines to leave a sour taste ....however, if Coach Smart is able to succeed then I think the softening filter of hindsight may go a long way to heal things
 
Grant left us after an NCAA appearance in the same year we lost our "favorite son"...

Capel left after finishing 5th in the CAA...

Maybe people just weren't ready for Grant to leave...feel like he left us when we were ready to take a next step when Capel just left out of nowhere after winning 19 games in back to back seasons (having only one 20 win season).

Who knows...I still think people give Capel way too much of a pass and are a bit too hard on Grant who at least seemed to really think about the decision and let his players know what was going on throughout the process.
 
Coach Smart is the VCU coach now.

JD Barnett is the greatest coach in VCU history.

They're the only two that count in my book right now.
 
Anthony Grant was also up for that Florida job. If idiothead Donovan bolted for Disney then He was good as gone. He said that he loved VCU and only the (whats the quote) dream job thing he would leave. Well Alabama is his dream job. And Okla is Capel's. Hopefully VCU is Smart's! I think Coach Smart will win us more than a couple conference championships here in the near future.

----------------
Go RAMS!
Beat Panthers!!
 
Grant treated VCU like too much of a stepping stool for me to easily "forgive" him, not that it actually matters. Ethics aside, Grant has his place in VCU basketball history and lore...he just doesn't have one in the warm fuzzy part of my heart.

That being said, I am more than ready to move on and I wouldn't take any other coach over Coach Smart or any of his recruits. Personality wise, Coach Smart and Coach Grant are like day and night...I'll let you decide who's who.
 
Deuce said:
Personality wise, Coach Smart and Coach Grant are like day and night...I'll let you decide who's who.
Click to expand...

You mean they both had one? I only remember one of those two actually having a personality. ;)
 
I was def a little bitter at both coaches at first but here is the way I look at it...

Capel left us Maynor, Grant left us Larry

sounds like a fair parting gift lol
 
Thanks everyone for the thoughtful replies. I'm with most of you as far as looking forward to a long and successful Smart era.
 
To me, Capel was the cute high school sweetheart you knew since middle school. You both mutually split during college because you grew apart, but you still call each other and she'd probably invite you to her wedding.

Grant was the high maintenance hot chick you overachieved to date in college who you had to constantly spend money on to keep happy, and then she kicked you to the curb for the captain of the football team.

The hot chick did more for your status but you still have a warm spot for the high school sweetheart.
 
Mistachill said:
To me, Capel was the cute high school sweetheart you knew since middle school. You both mutually split during college because you grew apart, but you still call each other and she'd probably invite you to her wedding.

Grant was the high maintenance hot chick you overachieved to dated in college who you had to constantly spend money on to keep happy, and then she kicked you to the curb for the captain of the football team.

The hot chick did more for your status but you still have a warm spot for the high school sweetheart.
Click to expand...
This is a pretty good analogy. The only difference for me was that Capel dumped us as well, but we rebounded quickly and realized that it worked out well for both parties. Well I guess that is not the only difference for me. I didn't find either man physically attractive whether it be as the "hot chick" or "sweetheart". Maybe we found "the one" in Coach Smart, or maybe we will just have to keep on winning games and playing the field. At least we are still going after the hot ones and haven't settled for an oLd one or the fat chick like our neighbors to the north and east. Don't hate the playa.
 
Mistachill said:
To me, Capel was the cute high school sweetheart you knew since middle school. You both mutually split during college because you grew apart, but you still call each other and she'd probably invite you to her wedding.

Grant was the high maintenance hot chick you overachieved to dated in college who you had to constantly spend money on to keep happy, and then she kicked you to the curb for the captain of the football team.

The hot chick did more for your status but you still have a warm spot for the high school sweetheart.
Click to expand...


Not to mention both of them f'ed us pretty good!

Sorry .. as an Administrator, I apologize for that, hah. I don't even really mean it, but I just had to say it.. :lol:
 
VRam said:
Coach Smart is the VCU coach now.

JD Barnett is the greatest coach in VCU history.

They're the only two that count in my book right now.
Click to expand...

I agree with you 100% about Coach Barnett. He was head and shoulders above Grant and Capel. They were our best years for basketball. You just had to experience his coaching and his teams. BUT I wouldn't want to play for him! He was tough as nails.
 
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