Zags' Grier takes San Diego post

Bill Grier, 43, a 15-year assistant on the Gonzaga basketball staff under three different coaches, has accepted the head-coaching position at the University of San Diego, putting him in the same conference as the Zags.

A source said Grier agreed Saturday to the Toreros' offer to succeed Brad Holland, who was fired after 13 seasons in which he went 200-176 with one trip to the NCAA tournament in 2003. It's the first full-time change on the GU staff in six years.

An Oregon native, Grier joined Dan Fitzgerald's staff as a restricted-earnings assistant for the 1991-92 season and held that spot for six years. He became full-time in Dan Monson's two years (1998-99) and when Monson departed for Minnesota, elected to stay on the newly elevated Mark Few's staff at GU.

For the last several years, Grier has been in a novel position. After Few was approached for a couple of jobs early in his tenure, Grier was contractually in line to succeed Few when the head coach departed. But Few, who just completed his eighth season, has stayed.

Referring to that dilemma two years ago when he was interviewed for the job at Loyola Marymount, Grier told the Times in reference to Few, "You can never say never. But you know, Mark's very comfortable at Gonzaga, what he's been able to put together here. It fits his personality and his lifestyle. If I were in his shoes, I wouldn't leave, either.

"You can never say never. You also can't look at a crystal ball."

Grier also had recent conversations with Santa Clara about its vacancy, but San Diego moved first. Grier visited USD Thursday.