Grady named Bay coach

PANAMA CITY - Michael Grady Jr. is back on the sidelines.

The former Arnold head coach turned Bay assistant was introduced Wednesday afternoon as the Tornadoes new boys basketball coach, replacing Matt Anderson, who resigned before the school year.

Flanked by Bay Principal Mackie Owens and Athletic Director Glenn Manley in the Bay High School Red Room, Grady humbly accepted his new position and thanked his predecessor.

"I'm honored to have been chosen," Grady said. "I learned a lot from him. He did a lot to prepare me for this position."

Grady, 32, will take the foundation Anderson set at Bay and try to build on it.

He plans to make academics the central focus off the court, and wants to make Bay synonymous with basketball in Bay County on it. Grady's short-term goal is to have the Tornadoes competitive in District 2-4A this season and in the state tournament in two seasons.

Bay lost most of its firepower from a 16-8 team last season, and will return Kevin Jones, Ethan Roulhac and Kevin Russell. Instead of running a fast-paced offense the entire game, the Tornadoes will adapt to their opponents more this year, Grady said.

Grady understands basketball's place in the football-rich Panhandle. He played for the Tornadoes and graduated from Bay in 1994. His father, Michael Grady Sr., was part of the first integrated basketball team in the late 1960s.

"I want to ensure our players are able to play and attend college," Grady said. "I bring that unique perspective that I was a homegrown kid."

Grady has been an assistant at Bay for four years while coaching the junior varsity squad. His coaching career started in 2000 at Arnold, where he was the head coach for one season and an assistant for the next two.

The math and chemistry teacher was one of five finalists for the position, but only three interviewed. Assistant Michael Memmen also interviewed with the selection committee comprising Manley, Assistant Principal Kevin Garrigan and science teacher Willie Warren. Memmen will remain on Bay's staff as Grady's top assistant.

Grady said he's matured since his last head coaching job. He better understands how to work with the booster clubs and parents.

"He has such a great rapport with the kids," Manley said. "He understands some of the athletes more and is a perfect role model for them."