Colleges

UF's Grant takes top VCU job

By ANTONYA ENGLISH
Published April 19, 2006

GAINESVILLE - After 12 years as one of Billy Donovan's right-hand men, Anthony Grant is moving on.

On Tuesday, the Florida associate head coach was named coach at Virginia Commonwealth, replacing Jeff Capel, who took over at Oklahoma.

Grant, a 40-year-old Miami native, had been with Donovan since their days at Marshall. He came to Gainesville with Donovan as an assistant and was promoted to associate head coach four years ago.

"VCU is getting one of the brightest coaches in the nation in Anthony Grant," Donovan said in a statement Tuesday afternoon. "His knowledge of the game and ability to recruit quality athletes are second to none. They are getting someone who will run their program with the highest integrity. Anthony has tremendous family and core values and will run their program in a first-class manner."

Grant interviewed for the Delaware State job after the Gators' appearance in the NCAA Tournament last month in Jacksonville and was also a candidate at UAB, which hired Mike Davis.

"Coach Grant is a heck of a coach," said Adrian Moss, a senior on the Gators' title team. "He taught me a lot about basketball, but he also had just as big an impact on my life. VCU will benefit from his knowledge of the game and his ability to teach it. They will also benefit from having a man of character who will set an example for all of his student-athletes."

SOFTBALL: In its home finale, Florida State split a doubleheader against Troy. The Seminoles (33-22) won the opener 4-3 and Troy took the nightcap 4-2.

BASEBALL: Ty Taborelli drove in the winning run as visiting South Florida (18-20) defeated Central Florida 6-4 in 11 innings. ... Saint Leo pitchers allowed a season high 19 hits and seven doubles as visiting Florida Gulf Coast defeated the Lions 12-7.

COACH FINED, WARNED: Penn State fined women's basketball coach Rene Portland $10,000 after concluding she violated university policy in her treatment of a player who was perceived to be a lesbian. The university said Portland would be dismissed for any future violation of the school's nondiscrimination policy.

[Last modified April 19, 2006, 01:59:13]