Published: July 03, 2009 09:30 pm      

Morehead hires veteran assistant

MOREHEAD — Matt Grady, an experienced coach at the highest collegiate level, has been named assistant men’s basketball coach at Morehead State.

Head coach Donnie Tyndall announced Grady’s appointment this week. Grady comes to Morehead State with experience at the University of Louisville on two occasions, the University of Cincinnati, New Mexico State, Murray State, and St. Joseph’s.

“I am really excited to join coach Tyndall and the Morehead State basketball program and university. I look forward to working for coach Tyndall and along with his staff to help them continue their great success. I want to thank him, and I know we’ll have a lot of fun,” said Grady. “Also I really appreciate everything coach (Rick) Pitino and Coach (Mick) Cronin did for me and all the opportunities that they have afforded me. I cannot thank them enough for all I have learned.”

Grady most recently served as an administrative assistant on Pitino’s staff at Louisville. He also worked with Pitino at U of L as a program assistant in Pitino’s first two years at the school in 2001-02 and 2002-03. The Cardinals won 44 games during that span.

"We are very pleased to add Matt Grady to our staff. He has worked for a great coach in Mick Cronin and, in my opinion, the best coach in America in coach Pitino,” said Tyndall. “He was a part of two OVC championships and has a great feel for our league.

“I truly believe that Matt is one of the best young assistants in college basketball and we are thrilled that he is now part of the Eagle basketball family.”

“Matt is one of the hardest working people I have had the pleasure to work with,” said Pitino. “He’ll do a fantastic job at Morehead State. His energy is boundless.”

Prior to his role in Louisville, Grady was an assistant coach at New Mexico State. He helped guide the Aggies to a 21-14 record in 2007-08.

Grady was the Director of Basketball Operations at Cincinnati with Cronin in 2006-07 and also served under Cronin for three seasons prior to that at Murray State. At Murray State, Grady was the team academic liaison and played a key role in all aspects of on-the-floor coaching for a Racer program that produced a three-year record of 69-23.

He began his coaching career with Phil Martelli at St. Joseph’s University as a student assistant. He also played on the junior varsity squad at St. Joe’s and earned his bachelor’s degree in finance in 2001.

Grady is a native of Springfield, N.J., where he played alongside former Duke All-American and Chicago Bulls’ star Jay Williams at St. Joseph’s High School. Along with Williams, he also teamed with Golden State Warriors’ standout Al Harrington when the two played for the New Jersey Roadrunners AAU club.