Each Monday of the fall semester, we’ll be bringing you “Getting to Know Them” profiles on coaches, athletic administrators and athletic trainers at Slippery Rock to introduce you to the folks behind the scenes here at The Rock. Next up, we check in with men’s basketball head coach Ian Grady.

QUICK BIO
Grady is in his 12th overall year at Slippery Rock and his third as the head coach of the men’s basketball program, where he has led The Rock to a 34-24 overall record and a pair of PSAC Tournament berths in each of his first two seasons, despite dealing with 26 man-games lost for All-Conference players during that stretch. Grady’s 34 wins in his first two seasons are tied with West Chester head coach Damien Blair for the most by any of the 18 PSAC head coaches in their first two years at their current schools. His 19 wins in his first season are the most by any current head coach in the PSAC during their debut season. Prior to taking over the program, Grady was an assistant coach and graduate assistant at SRU for nine seasons, helping The Rock to a 167-101 overall record that included three NCAA Tournament berths. He played Division II basketball at Fairmont State and earned his master’s degree in sport management at SRU in 2011. 

IN HIS WORDS

Q: What’s the first concert you went to? What’s the most recent concert you went to?
A: The Buckeye Concert in Columbus was the first. I went to a couple of concerts two summers ago with some very close friends in Pittsburgh and had a blast. Those are really the only ones I have ever been to. I was looking forward to this summer’s line up of Motley Crue/Def Leppard/Poison, Jimmy Buffet and Sammy Hagar before things got canceled. 

Q: What was your favorite subject in school? Why? 
A: History. I believe you can learn so much from the past. 

Q: When did you know you wanted to go into a career in collegiate athletics? 
A: I enjoyed playing sports growing up. When I realized my playing days were behind me, I wanted to help others reach their goals. I enjoy the process of seeing them develop and grow. 

Q: What was the last book you read? Thoughts on it? 
A: I read “The Power of Positive Leadership” by Jon Gordon.  It was a good read for goal-oriented college athletes, coaches, managers and others in leadership positions. 

Q: What’s your all-time favorite book?
A: The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald. In high school, I didn’t enjoy reading. I had a professor that taught me about this book and I was able to get through it. I learned to enjoy reading after that. I’ve read it several times over. I was intrigued by the idea of “THE AMERICAN DREAM.” Improvement and change are always possibilities in life. 

Q: How do you relax?
A: In the summers I like to relax by the pool or on the beach if possible. Hanging out and spending time with my family and close friends. 

Q: What’s your favorite meal? 
A: Maryland blue crabs and a nice ribeye steak on the grill. 

Q: Tell us about your family. 
A: I’m a family-oriented person. I speak to my parents and brother every day. My wife, Andrea, and I have one son and one dog. I enjoy family gatherings with my extended family and my wife’s extended family.

Q: What’s your favorite restaurant? What do you order there? 
A: I like supporting the local businesses in town and in Butler County. I usually go with wings, burgers, or pizza. However, I am open to trying whatever they specialize in or feature.

Q: What was your first car? What’s your dream car? 
A: I drove my parents’ cars. I believe it was an Explorer or Cherokee, until I could afford to buy my own. It was a black Jeep Liberty. I prefer SUV’s, but I wouldn’t mind to have a Viper or Corvette at some point. 

Q: What artists and/or songs on your current most-listened to playlist? 
A: I’m a big fan of HairNation on Sirius Radio and listen to that to and from my commute to work.

Q: Favorite current TV show? Favorite TV show of all-time? 
A: My favorite current show is Inside the NBA on TNT. I’m also happy that the NFL is back on.  I’m a big Dallas Cowboys fan. In addition, I’m really enjoyed watching the baseball playoffs.  My favorite all-time shows are Everybody Loves Raymond and Game of Thrones.

Q: What’s the best advice you ever received and who did it come from? 
A: I’ve gotten a lot of great advice over the years from many people. It is hard to narrow it down. My mom and dad have given me great advice over my lifetime and taught me that how you treat people is by far the most important thing. 

Q: What’s your favorite season/type of weather? Why? 
A: I like Summer. I prefer warm weather and the vibes that come along with summer. 

Q: When you go grocery shopping, are you the “Make a List” person or the “Just Wing It” person?
A: Just wing it, as reflected on the bill each time. 

Q: Where is one place you haven’t visited yet, but you definitely plan to? 
A: Hawaii or multiple countries in Europe.

Q: How did you decide on your kids names or pet names? 
A: Clarence, our dog, was a reference from the movie “It’s a Wonderful Life.” Our son’s name, Jinnix, was a creative name that my wife and I agreed upon. 

Q: How many and what kind of pets do you have? How long have you had them? 
A: I have one pet currently. Clarence. He is a Chihuahua that is two years old. My parents have our family’s German Shepherd, Sable, who is nine. 

Q: Cats or dogs? 
A: Dogs.

Q: You could have dinner with three people living or dead, who would they be and why? 
A: They would all be family members that have passed on. Although you ask questions and learn while they are here, I feel that so much more of their lives and experiences are forgotten or never talked about during their time on earth.

Q: Are you a tech savvy person? 
A: No. Not really. I hope that I fall somewhere in the middle of the pack. I know enough to get by for basic daily uses.

Q: Describe your perfect day off. 
A: Perfect day off is a day at the pool with my family. The radio turned up and some food on the grill. 

Q: Can you sing? 
A: Depends on who you ask. 

 Q: You can only eat one thing the rest of your life, what is it? 
A: Crab and seafood.

Q: How long can you go without looking at your phone? 
A: My phone is always ringing and going off with message notifications. So, unless it is on silent, I’m on it very often. 

Q: What’s one game show or reality show you could go on that you think you could win? 
A: My mother has me watch Tell The Truth with Anthony Anderson. My dad likes Family Feud with Steve Harvey. And my wife likes Press Your Luck. I think that I could win any of those. 

Q: Retirement destination? 
A: I’d like to be on or near a beach somewhere surrounded by my family and close friends. Time will tell. 

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