Emotional Announcement: Dayton Flyers Head Coach Anthony Grant to Step Away Following Stage III Health Diagnosis.
Emotional Announcement: Dayton Flyers Head Coach Anthony Grant to Step Away Following Stage III Health Diagnosis
It is with heavy hearts and unwavering support that we share the deeply personal and emotional news that Dayton Flyers men’s basketball head coach Anthony Grant will be stepping away from his coaching duties due to a serious health diagnosis. Coach Grant has recently been diagnosed with Stage III [unspecified illness – e.g., cancer], and after much reflection, consultation with his family and medical team, and consideration of the demands of the upcoming season, he has made the courageous decision to focus fully on his treatment and recovery.
For the past seven years, Coach Grant has been the heart and soul of Dayton basketball. A Dayton native and proud alumnus of the University, he returned in 2017 to lead the Flyers not just in wins and losses, but in character, integrity, and community spirit. His impact has gone far beyond the hardwood of UD Arena. He has inspired generations of student-athletes, uplifted the university community, and brought the program to national prominence with a combination of tactical brilliance and personal grace.
When news of his diagnosis reached the team and the university, it brought an outpouring of emotion—shock, sadness, concern, but also unity and resolve. In true Coach Grant fashion, he delivered the news to his players personally, with the same strength and honesty that have always defined his leadership. There were tears, embraces, and quiet moments of reflection. And yet, even in facing this immense personal challenge, Coach Grant’s message was one of hope and resilience.
“I’m stepping away not out of defeat, but out of necessity,” Coach Grant said in a statement. “To fight this battle with everything I’ve got, I need to put my health first. This team, this university, this community—they mean the world to me. I have full faith in the coaching staff, the players, and the leadership here. I’m not saying goodbye. I’m saying, ‘See you soon.’”
Coach Grant’s decision, while incredibly difficult, was made with the support of his family, including his wife, Chris, and their children. The University of Dayton stands firmly behind him, offering resources, compassion, and privacy as he embarks on this new and difficult chapter.
“We are devastated by the news of Coach Grant’s diagnosis,” said Dayton Athletic Director Neil Sullivan. “Anthony is more than a coach—he’s a friend, a mentor, a leader, and a pillar of this university. His health and well-being are our top priorities. We will support him every step of the way, and we ask our Flyer family to join us in sending thoughts, prayers, and strength to Anthony and his loved ones.”
Coach Grant’s tenure at Dayton has been nothing short of transformational. Under his guidance, the Flyers reached new heights, most memorably during the 2019–2020 season, when the team went 29–2 and captured the nation’s imagination with electrifying play, unity, and poise. Though the pandemic canceled what might have been a historic NCAA Tournament run, Grant was awarded the Naismith Coach of the Year honor—a testament to the excellence and culture he instilled in the program.
But what defines Coach Grant even more than accolades or victories is his unwavering commitment to his players’ development as men. Time and again, he has emphasized education, character, and community service, earning the admiration of players, peers, and fans alike. His players speak of him not just as a coach, but as a father figure, a role model, and a source of daily inspiration.
Assistant Head Coach Ricardo Greer will serve as interim head coach in Coach Grant’s absence. Coach Greer, who has worked closely with Grant for years, expressed a deep sense of responsibility and emotion in stepping into this role.
“Coach Grant is my mentor and a brother to me,” said Greer. “This is not how any of us wanted this to happen, but we are going to honor him every day—in how we practice, how we carry ourselves, how we compete. This team will play for him, fight for him, and support him through every step of his journey.”
The Dayton Flyers community, and indeed the broader college basketball world, has already begun to rally behind Coach Grant. Messages of support have poured in from across the country—from rival coaches, former players, and fans who have been touched by his leadership and dignity.
The University will be establishing the Coach Anthony Grant Recovery Fund to assist with medical costs and to support awareness efforts for others battling similar health challenges. More details will be shared in the coming weeks.
In the meantime, the Flyers will begin the upcoming season with a renewed sense of purpose—not just to win games, but to carry the spirit and strength of their beloved coach onto the court every time they take the floor.
Coach Grant, you are not alone in this fight. You have an entire city, an entire university, and a basketball family stretching far and wide behind you. We are praying for healing, for strength, and for the day we see you back where you belong—leading this team with the same passion and wisdom that have made you a Dayton legend.
Until then, we play for you.
Flyer Faithful, unite. Coach Grant, we’ve got your back.
