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04/12/2018 12:00 AMMichael Grant has many years of experience playing and coaching baseball at the high school and college levels, but he still coveted a head coaching position with a high school team. Michael finally gets his chance this spring by taking over one of the most successful programs in the Shoreline Conference at The Morgan School.
Michael played high school and collegiate ball at East Hartford and Stonehill College, respectively. Since then, he’s served as a coach for several high school and American Legion teams in Connecticut, including stints at Glastonbury and Portland high schools. He was also an assistant coach and the interim head coach at Eastern Connecticut State University in between those two stops.
Now, Michael is continuing his journey in the high school circuit as the new head coach of the Morgan baseball squad.
“I had been trying for a head coaching job, and then I saw the posting on the CIAC’s website, and I thought it would be a good spot,” says Michael, a Glastonbury resident. “I played some baseball in Clinton when I was 13, and my mother lives there now. It’s a good athletic town. I went through a three-part interview process and got the job. I am happy and glad to be at Morgan.”
Michael takes the reins of a program that has advanced to the Class S State Tournament semifinals in each of the last three years, including state final berths in 2015 and 2016. Many of the players from that run have graduated, and so Michael is ready to start a new wave of success by using a basic, yet effective approach.
“It’s about seeing what we can do with a fresh start and try to head in a winning direction. In high school baseball, a couple of good players can make a difference,” says Michael. “We are just trying to build a new culture, and I have a good feeling and confidence in my vision. I’ve learned and taken something from every journey I’ve been on, and I will try to put down a fundamental process here. I want to get the most out of these guys and give them the blueprint to be successful.”
Michael says that it’s a pleasure to play a role in the maturation process of a baseball player. He wants to see them master the fundamentals on the diamond, while they grow as young adults.
“It’s great to work with young people and see how they can develop,” he says. “Seeing what they become is fulfilling to me, and then it’s also great to see former players grow up, get married, and become young men.”
Morgan Athletic Director Kevin Rayel says that Michael was the ideal choice to be the new skipper for the Huskies’ baseball squad. Rayel is impressed with Michael’s wealth of coaching experience, as well as his love for America’s pastime.
“Michael Grant is a great fit for Morgan baseball. He has shown a unique ability to teach the game of baseball to various levels that have a wide range of talent,” Rayel says. “Coach Grant is a student of the game and will continue to grow as the newest head coach at Morgan. We’re happy to have a coach that is passionate about the game and will be invested in our players on and off the field.”
Regarding his philosophy for his first year at Morgan, Michael says that he’s focused on his players giving their all on a daily basis as they form chemistry in the clubhouse. In terms of hitting those objectives, he says that it’s been so far, so good for the Huskies.
“If we play good defense and get timely hits, we can stay in games and hopefully get into the [State Tournament]. I want to get the kids to unite as a team and play with respect for the game with a blue-collar effort and attitude,” Michael says. “The guys have been really receptive to all of that so far, and I’ve been happy with the work ethic.”