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| Coast Guard athletics photo |
C.C. Grant has been named the head football coach at the United States Coast Guard Academy replacing Bill George, who retired after 21 seasons.
"I am pleased to announce C.C. Grant as the 16th head football coach at the U.S. Coast Guard Academy," said Dr. Dan Rose, Coast Guard Academy Director of Athletics. "Through a national search process coach Grant distinguished himself as a strong leader who embodies the Coast Guard core values of Honor, Respect and Devotion to duty. C.C.'s professionalism, knowledge of the game and dedication to developing leaders of character suit him perfectly for this exciting new era of CGA football."
Grant just completed his 21st season as a member of Coast Guard football staff, the last 15 years as co-defensive coordinator. He served as the Bears' offensive coordinator for his first six seasons.
Coach Grant has also been the head baseball coach at Coast Guard for the past 14 seasons after serving as an assistant coach for seven years. He is second all-time in program history with 184 wins and he guided the Bears to a pair of ECAC tournament berths (2011 and 2013). He led the 2013 team to a program record 24 wins and the Bears only ECAC championship game appearance.
"I want to thank Admiral Kelly, Dr. Rose and the rest of the search committee for selecting me to lead the Coast Guard football program. I feel fortunate and blessed to be given this opportunity," said Grant. "Coach George did a phenomenal job of building and leading this program. I hope that I can continue to build this program that will be respected by our opponents, our alumni and everyone involved with Coast Guard football family."
Grant, a 1992 graduate of Cortland, spent six seasons as an assistant coach at his alma mater, the last two as offensive coordinator.
During his playing days, Grant was an All-ECAC fullback during the 1990 season as he led the Red Dragons in rushing in 1989 and to an NCAA playoff berth in 1990. Grant earned a masters in physical education from Cortland in 1995.
While at the Academy, Grant has recruited 11 All-conference football players, three All-region selections and one All-America selection. He was co-defensive coordinator for the 2006 and 2007 teams which won the New England Football Conference Bogan Division championships and earned spot in the 2006 ECAC North Atlantic Bowl.
"I look forward to the new era of Coast Guard football under the leadership of Coach Grant, who has been a valuable member of our faculty and football and baseball coaching staffs' for over 20 years," said Rear Admiral William G. Kelly, Coast Guard Academy Superintendent. "I would also like to thank Coach George once again for his decades of leadership as member of our faculty and the head football coach at the Academy."