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Alabama fires head basketball coach Anthony Grant

By Cameron La Fontaine

Dec 16, 2014; Wichita, KS, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide guard Levi Randolph(20) drives with the ball against Wichita State Shockers guard Tekele Cotton (32) during the second half at Charles Koch Arena. Mandatory Credit: Peter G. Aiken-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 16, 2014; Wichita, KS, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide guard Levi Randolph(20) drives with the ball against Wichita State Shockers guard Tekele Cotton (32) during the second half at Charles Koch Arena. Mandatory Credit: Peter G. Aiken-USA TODAY Sports /
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After a 18-14 season, Alabama has fired mens basketball head coach Anthony Grant.

After the Alabama Crimson Tide missed the NCAA Tournament for the second straight season, and for the seventh time in the last eight years, they have fired head coach Anthony Grant.

Anthony Grant was hired out of VCU in March of 2009 and had a 117-85 record at Alabama, including an NCAA Tournament appearance in 2012.

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However, In the last two seasons, Alabama had slipped to a 31-33 record, including 15-21 in SEC play. Alabama was eliminated in the first round of the SEC Tournament in each of the past two seasons. Alabama lost to Florida in the first round of the SEC Tournament this season 69-61.

There’s no word yet on Alabama’s next coach, but athletic director Bill Battle will begin the search immediately.

“Earlier today, I informed Anthony Grant that he will not be retained as head men’s basketball coach at the University of Alabama,” Battle said according to TideSports.com. “This decision was reached only after a great deal of deliberation, but I feel it is in the best interests of the basketball program to make a change in leadership. This has been a very difficult decision, as I have the highest respect for Anthony as a coach, as a molder of young men, and as a person.”

In his nine seasons as a college head coach, Grant’s overall record is 193-110 (.637) at two schools, Virginia Commonwealth and Alabama.

Alabama has never won an NCAA basketball championship and their best finish ever was in 2004 when they were an 8-seed and made it to the Elite Eight where they eventually fell to UCONN.

h/t TideSports.com

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