San Diego tabs Grier new hoops coach

Mar 27, 2007, 0:10 GMT

San Diego, CA - The University of San Diego named Bill Grier the new men's head basketball coach on Monday.

Grier, 43, replaces Brad Holland, who was let go as head coach on March 8. Holland's Toreros went 18-14 overall and finished fifth in the West Coast Conference last season.

'We were searching for a person with an overwhelming drive to succeed,' said Ky Snyder, USD Executive Director of Athletics. 'We found that and we found much more in Bill Grier. The people I've talked with across the country, people who I greatly respect, I've heard Bill described as a big time coach. A great person and family man.'

Grier has spent the last 16 seasons at Gonzaga University and has been the top assistant coach of the program since 1999. He becomes the 11th head coach San Diego history and fourth head man since the program moved to Division I in 1979-80.

'I'm very excited about what this program can become,' said Grier. 'When Ky approached me about this, it really peaked my interest. I see a lot of potential in a program that's on the cusp, not only in basketball, but in athletics. President Lyons and Ky have me really excited about the future here at USD.'

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