Anthony Grant: The World Awaits

Billy Donovan? I could care less. Either he goes to the NBA, is mediocre for a while, beats the Wizards a lot in Orlando (b/c everyone beats the Wizards in Orlando) and then eventually quits or gets fired and takes some other BCS school to the Final Four, or he just stays at Florida, prompts many columns about the meaning of loyalty, suffers through one down year and then takes the Gators back to the Final Four. Either way, his hairline will continue to recede, and I'll continue to wonder at what point he'll have to stop with the slicked-back look or possibly look into hair replacement.

My suggestion if Grant leaves: Eric Maynor as player-coach. (David Duprey - AP)

But as a sometimes Atlantic 11 Local Hoops Spectacular voter, I'm very much interested in what happens to Anthony Grant, who, had there been an Atlantic 11 Coach of the Year vote (and why didn't I think of postseason awards???), would have been the clear winner last season. Let's hope he did not run out and buy a fancy new luxury vehicle when Donovan accepted the Magic job. A quick timeline.

Friday afternoon: The Richmond-Times Dispatch reports that Florida requested and received permission to speak with Grant:

Two sources said they don't expect Grant to remain at VCU. He is not Florida's top choice, "he is the only choice," one said. "There is no one else. Anthony is struggling with it. It's not easy for him. But I don't see how he'll be able to turn it down."

Florida is expected to offer a contract in the $1 million range annually.

Grant recently signed a contract extension at VCU that will take his base salary from $275,000 to $400,000.

The CAAZone starts wondering how much this hurts their league. And CAA blogger Michael Litos updates the same entry like 17 times.

Saturday: The Orlando Sentinel calls the Florida search "a one-horse race." The T-D starts speculating on Grant's possible replacement at VCU, including Wojo, of all people.

But--hold on!--the Florida plane comes and then goes, without Grant. Rams fans start listing all the reasons why VCU is a better job than Florida. And Michael Litos suggests that he still sees a 10 percent chance that Grant stays in Richmond, out of honor or something.

Sunday: The T-D reports that assistant coach Tony Pujol would be the leading candidate. Columnist John Markon muses on the short-term nature of the rising mid-major superstar coach. Meanwhile, FoxSports starts the Donovan-wants-out story line. Rams fans start rejoicing.

Monday: The T-D reports that Grant says he has not yet been offered the Florida job. A column, from Orlando, on the meaning of sports loyalty. Everyone updates their stories approximately every hour. The Orlando Sentinel suggests that "it's over." Anthony Grant again begins working on scheduling that home-and-home with Appalachian State.