Twitter Reacts to Anthony Grant Being Fired
By Chris Dodson
On Sunday, the news that a change in leadership was formally announced and that Anthony Grant, head coach of the Crimson Tide for 6 seasons, would not be retained. The news was expected, but still a surprise to many as there was an idea at one point that Battle would keep Anthony Grant on for another season. The Tide now have an NIT bid as a 6 seed and will face off with Illinois, without Coach Grant leading the way. Twitter was abuzz with several opinions on the firing and we’ve picked out several that were notable:
Official statement from #Alabama
— LivingCrimson (@LivingCrimson) March 15, 2015
"@LandrySean: Per UA, Anthony Grant has been fired. pic.twitter.com/hBsKZuIooC"
A year late, but Alabama makes the right call firing Anthony Grant.
— Paul Finebaum (@finebaum) March 15, 2015
Anthony Grant fired. Tony Barbee for Alabama head men’s basketball coach.
— War Blogle (@WarBlogle) March 15, 2015
LOL nope
Several big Alabama basketball fans may agree with this statement. Grant was and is a good coach, but his time ran out.
Wimp Sanderson leaked plan to keep Anthony Grant Thursday..Alabama fans melted down...Bill Battle responded. That's the way I'll remember it
— Jim Dunaway (@jimdunaway) March 15, 2015
There was earlier news from former Alabama coach Wimp Sanderson that there were plans to keep Grant. But shortly after that news, Tuscaloosa News’ Cecil Hurt reported that some 11th hour pressure had been mounting on Bill Battle to fire Grant. After the news broke, Sanderson appeared on WVUA-TV news:
.@wimpsanderson1 spoke with us last night on #SportsSunday about Anthony Grant & the #NCAATournament https://t.co/1cT3lRWxy1
— B.J. Millican (@bjmillican) March 16, 2015
Alabama will owe Anthony Grant just over $4 million in buyout money, offset by his future earnings.
— Cecil Hurt (@CecilHurt) March 15, 2015
When Anthony Grant firing was mentioned during NIT special, ESPN analyst Tim Welsh said, "Nice move, Alabama. Real classy. Good luck."
— Marq Burnett (@Marq_Burnett) March 16, 2015
When Alabama fired Anthony Grant as head coach, the AD did not name an interim. Nick Saban not interested. #dechr
— Mark Tupper (@MarkTupper) March 16, 2015
Several players and former players chose to respond to Grant’s release as well:
Hate to hear the news about Coach Grant. He's the best coach I've ever played for and a big reason I'm the man I am today
— Andrew Steele (@D_Steele22) March 15, 2015
Love ya coach G @UACoachGrant
— J1️⃣2️⃣ (@justincoleman05) March 15, 2015
Not fair to blame me !!!
— Trevor Lacey (@TrevorLacey5) March 16, 2015
Context: There was several people on Twitter blaming the Trevor Lacey transfer as the reason Grant was ultimately fired.
At the end of the day we all came to play for our guy , love YA coach ✊ pic.twitter.com/WriqyKjXmS
— Devin Mitchell (@D_Mitch23) March 15, 2015
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