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UGA talks with candidate for men's basketball opening just rumors
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Issue date: 3/24/09 Section: Sports
University President Michael Adams and athletic director Damon Evans did not discuss the Georgia men's basketball coaching job with rumored candidate Anthony Grant, a University official said Monday.
Adams and Evans were reported to be visiting with Grant, the head coach of Virginia Commonwealth, in Atlanta Sunday to discuss an offer to fill Georgia's coaching vacancy.
On Monday associate athletic director and sports information director Claude Felton dispelled the reports.
"I can say with complete authority that neither Damon Evans nor Dr. Adams has ever had a conversation with Anthony Grant as of today, Monday, March 23," Felton said.
TotalUGA.com reported Grant turned down an initial offer, only to have the offer raised to $1.55 million per year. Felton said this was not the case, as it was not possible for Adams and Evans to have met with Grant.
"In fact, Dr. Adams, Damon Evans and [senior associate athletic director] Carla Williams attended the Georgia women's basketball NCAA women's tournament game in Duluth Saturday at noon," Felton said. "Following the game, they all flew by private plane from the Gwinnett airport to Nashville, Tenn., to attend the SEC Gymnastics Championships Saturday night."
After firing former basketball coach Dennis Felton on Jan. 29, Evans announced the University hired Parker Executive Search of Atlanta to identify and contact potential candidates. At press time Claude Felton had yet to respond to an e-mail concerning if the firm had contacted Grant concerning any offers.
Rumors surfaced regarding Grant's future following VCU's 65-64 loss to UCLA in the NCAA tournament Thursday. Grant's name has been mentioned in other job openings, as Alabama was granted permission to speak to the coach, according to the Richmond Times-Dispatch.
Adams and Evans were reported to be visiting with Grant, the head coach of Virginia Commonwealth, in Atlanta Sunday to discuss an offer to fill Georgia's coaching vacancy.
On Monday associate athletic director and sports information director Claude Felton dispelled the reports.
"I can say with complete authority that neither Damon Evans nor Dr. Adams has ever had a conversation with Anthony Grant as of today, Monday, March 23," Felton said.
TotalUGA.com reported Grant turned down an initial offer, only to have the offer raised to $1.55 million per year. Felton said this was not the case, as it was not possible for Adams and Evans to have met with Grant.
"In fact, Dr. Adams, Damon Evans and [senior associate athletic director] Carla Williams attended the Georgia women's basketball NCAA women's tournament game in Duluth Saturday at noon," Felton said. "Following the game, they all flew by private plane from the Gwinnett airport to Nashville, Tenn., to attend the SEC Gymnastics Championships Saturday night."
After firing former basketball coach Dennis Felton on Jan. 29, Evans announced the University hired Parker Executive Search of Atlanta to identify and contact potential candidates. At press time Claude Felton had yet to respond to an e-mail concerning if the firm had contacted Grant concerning any offers.
Rumors surfaced regarding Grant's future following VCU's 65-64 loss to UCLA in the NCAA tournament Thursday. Grant's name has been mentioned in other job openings, as Alabama was granted permission to speak to the coach, according to the Richmond Times-Dispatch.
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