Coach Larry Grant attended City College of San Francisco (CCSF) before finishing his career at Ohio State. In 2005, Grant was named Junior College (JUCO) National Player of the Year. He played in four straight national championship games two at CCSF and two at Ohio State. For his entire collegiate career, Grant started 38 of 49 games he played in, registering 244 tackles (162 solos) with 15.5 sacks and
30.5 stops for losses and caused eight fumbles, recovered three others and had nine pass break-ups. He also gained 131 yards on eight interception returns and blocked 15 kicks, returning three blocked punts for a total of 84 yards and a touchdown. Following the season, Grant was named the No. 1 junior college prospect from the state of California by JCGridiron.com.
[divider]Questions:[/divider]
Q: You grew up in San Francisco?
A: Yeah, I grew up in the Bay Area but I lived basically everywhere in California, But growing up the majority of my childhood was in the Bay.
Q: When did you start playing football?
A: I’ve basically been playing football my whole life. I didn’t start playing padded and contact until I was a freshman high school. I outweighed everyone as a little kid and there was a weight limit so I couldn’t play as a child.
Q: How did you get involved in football?
A: It was easy. Growing up, watching it and being an aggressive kid who liked to tackle. My brothers would beat up on me. Now i’m bigger than them! Just being a kid, I like to run around, I had so much energy.
Q: Who was a great inspiration to you when you were in high school?
A: Well, I’ve always been an athlete so, I looked up to Jerry Rice. Growing up I was a Forty-Niner fan and he’s the GOAT, (the greatest of all time). I always looked up to Jerry Rice and I’ve never gotten starstruck my whole life, until I got an opportunity to meet him at the Rookie symposium. And I’ve only asked my whole for one autograph and it was his. I was nervous, my palms were sweating which never happens because I don’t get nervous. I got his autograph on a little ticket and ended up flying back to northern California and left it on the plane. The good thing is that I got to meet him more times being that I played for the program that he basically created.
Q: Did you play any other sports?
A: Well in High School I played baseball. I was a center fielder and was pretty good so they say.
Q: Do you plan on going out and watching some baseball games this season?
A: I am! We got a couple guys on the team that play baseball as well and we got to go out and support not just them but every other sport too. We hope to get all sports packed.
Q: What was the NFL like?
A: It was good, it was fun.
Q:Who was your favorite person you met in the NFL?
A: I can’t really just name one name guy! I met so many great guys in my career. I played with future Hall of Famers’, I’ve been in locker rooms with Hall of Famers’ already. I’ve been around a lot of great guys, not only in the league but in college as well. I’ve been around so many great guys and I can’t just pinpoint one guy.
Q: How did you hear about this job?
A: I was visiting Fresno and there was a gentleman who’s been coaching there a long time. He told me there was a job opening here and I had no idea about Paso and I’d never been here before except for a game we played here last year. I applied for the job and it’s been a blessing for me and my family. I went through an interview process with a panel of about 15 people and I must’ve done some type of good so I’m here now.
Q: How long have you been in Paso now?
A: Since the beginning of February.
Q: What do you think of our town so far?
A: I love it. It’s definitely a different city for me. I’m from a big city and have lived in plenty of other big cities as well so it’s a little different for me being in a small town but it’s actually perfect for me and my family. It’s a great place.
Q: Have you started Spring Training yet?
A: Well Spring Training doesn’t start until May 22. But we’ve been training every day at 6:30 in the morning. Guys have been putting work in the freezing cold out here.
Q: What are your expectations for this upcoming football season?
A: My expectation is to help these kids reach as many levels as they want to reach. I want to help them be great. We got a great group of guys here and a great program, a great school and a great community. So my expectation is to help it just be better.
Q:Is this the first time you’ll be a head coach?
A: First time, so it’s very exciting. It’s gonna be a good time and I hope to see a lot of people out there at the games. We’ve been preparing a lot throughout this off-season and we’re ready to put on a lot of good shows for fans on Friday nights. We got a lot of good guys, so let me tell you to bring your popcorn for a good show.
Q: Being a young head coach what is the benefit that you could bring to the table?
A: You’re calling me young? I feel old! But, I am considered a young guy. But I’ve been to many places, so my experience kinda oversees a lot of things that a lot of other people have done. But I’ve been experienced and been around a lot of different types of football and I’ve been around a lot of good people who taught me things as well.
Q: Are there any specific things you are going to change or tweak in the program?
A: We’re not going to change much. A lot of things you’ll see on the field will be different from things you’ve seen before, because you have a different guy here now. And I’ll bring a completely different enthusiasm, attitude, and we’ll just do a lot of things that are fun. It’s gonna be excited for the people watching, it’s gonna be exciting to the players playing in the game. It’ll be a fun season.
Q: Do you have any other hobbies outside coaching?
A: I spend a lot of time with my kids. Any opportunity I get to travel with my family, we try to do with the best of our ability.
Q: Any final notes?
A: Well,from what I’ve heard we have the best group of fans, the best students, and I’m excited to be around all of you guys. Embrace the change because I’m a new guy here and trust me that the change is gonna be good.
