Walk into UD Arena on a Tuesday night in January, and you'll feel it. The place is a sell-out. Again. It doesn't matter if the opponent is a blue blood or a bottom-tier conference foe; the 13,000-plus faithful are there, screaming their lungs out. At the center of this storm stands a man who rarely raises his voice above a focused growl. Anthony Grant, the Dayton basketball head coach, is currently in his ninth season leading his alma mater, and honestly, the conversation around him is a lot more complicated than the win-loss column suggests.
People see the 2020 season—the 29-2 masterpiece that COVID-19 stole—and they use it as both a shield and a sword. For some, it’s proof that Grant is an elite architect. For others, it’s a frustrating "what if" that makes every subsequent season feel like a step backward. But if you’re only looking at the banners (or lack thereof), you're missing the reality of what it means to run this program in 2026.
The Reality of Being the Dayton Basketball Head Coach
Being the coach at Dayton isn't like being the coach at most Atlantic 10 schools. It’s a high-pressure, high-resource environment that functions more like a Power 4 job. Grant isn't just drawing up out-of-bounds plays. He’s the Dr. Stephen B. Levitt Head Men’s Basketball Coaching Chair, a title that comes with the first-ever endowed coaching position in the university's history.
💡 You might also like: Why Manchester United 8-2 Arsenal Still Haunts the Premier League Today
That’s a lot of weight.
Right now, the Flyers are sitting at 12-4 for the 2025-26 season. They just came off a gritty win against Duquesne where they were down to only eight scholarship players. That’s the "Grant Way" in a nutshell—facing adversity with a stoic, almost stubborn adherence to the system. They won that game because De’Shayne Montgomery stepped up and the defense clamped down in the final five minutes.
It wasn't pretty. It was effective.
Why the 2020 Ghost Still Matters
You can't talk about the Dayton basketball head coach without mentioning the year the world stopped. That team had Obi Toppin, a future NBA lottery pick, and they were a projected No. 1 seed. When the tournament was canceled, a piece of the program’s soul seemed to stay in that locker room.
Grant has spent the last few years trying to recreate that magic. He’s done it by leaning into high-end talent like DaRon Holmes II, who became a consensus All-American in 2024. But the landscape has shifted. With NIL (Name, Image, and Likeness) now a massive factor, Dayton AD Neil Sullivan has been vocal about being "bold." The university is now looking at paying athletes millions of dollars directly.
This changes the job description. Grant isn't just a mentor anymore; he's basically a CEO.
The Roster Flip and the New Guard
Looking at the current squad, the turnover has been real. Gone are the days of keeping a core together for four years. Grant has had to get savvy with the portal.
- Javon Bennett: The senior guard and defensive pest. He’s the engine.
- Keonte Jones: A "winning player" transfer from Cal State Northridge who does everything from blocking shots to dishing assists.
- The Ohio Connection: Grant is finally locking down the home state. He just landed Julian Washington for the 2026 class. Washington is a 6-foot-5 "Swiss Army knife" from Margaretta who chose to "stay home."
What Critics Get Wrong
If you spend five minutes on a message board, you'll see the same complaints. "He can't win without a superstar." "The offense gets stagnant." "He's too quiet."
🔗 Read more: The Mock NFL Draft 2025 Nobody Talks About
But here’s the thing: Grant’s record at Dayton is roughly 184-87. That’s a nearly 68% winning percentage. He’s moved into a tie for the third-most wins in school history. He’s one of only two Dayton grads to ever coach the team in the modern era—the other being his own coach, the legendary Don Donoher.
There is a deep, cultural connection here that a mercenary coach wouldn't have. When Grant stood up in 2023 and blasted gamblers for attacking his players' mental health, he wasn't just defending his roster. He was defending the institution. He told the fans, "If you can't [re-evaluate your priorities], we don't need you."
That takes guts. Especially when your job depends on those same fans buying tickets.
The Recruiting Shift
Grant’s staff, led by guys like Ricardo Greer and Jermaine Henderson, has been relentless. They aren't just looking for four-star recruits; they’re looking for "Flyer fits."
📖 Related: Finding the Veterans Stadium Home Plate: Where the Vet Actually Lives Today
- They recently signed Jaron McKie and Damon Friery for the upcoming cycles.
- They are targeting versatility—players who can switch three positions on defense.
- They are leaning into the "built at Dayton" brand.
It’s a specific style of basketball. It’s deliberate. It’s often defensive-minded. If you’re looking for a 90-point-per-game track meet, you’re watching the wrong team. But if you want to see a team that ranks in the top 60 nationally for defensive rating, Grant is your guy.
The Future of the Flyer Bench
The seat is never "cold" in college basketball, but Grant’s position feels secure because he provides stability in a chaotic era. The university isn't just paying him to win games; they're paying him to represent the "Flyer Way."
However, the pressure is mounting for another deep March run. The 2024-25 season ended in the NIT second round. For a program that sells out every game, that’s the floor, not the ceiling. The expectation for the Dayton basketball head coach is simple but brutal: Get to the NCAA Tournament and stay there.
Actionable Insights for Fans and Analysts
If you're following the program this season, keep your eyes on these specific markers of success:
- Free Throw Percentage: This has been a bugaboo for Grant's teams in close games. Improving here is the difference between an A-10 title and a mid-pack finish.
- Rotation Depth: With the injury bugs hitting early in 2026, seeing how Grant develops the bench (like De'Shayne Montgomery) will dictate their February stamina.
- NIL Strategy: Watch how the program uses its new direct-pay capabilities to keep talent from being "poached" by the Big Ten or Big 12.
The story of Anthony Grant isn't finished. Whether he’s the coach who finally breaks the second-weekend barrier or the one who kept the seat warm with "solid but not spectacular" seasons is still being written. But one thing is certain: he’s doing it his way, with a level of class that’s becoming rare in this sport.
Keep an eye on the upcoming home stands. The atmosphere at UD Arena remains the best barometer for the health of this program. If the fans are still there—and they are—the belief in the man in the suit is still very much alive.