Vinnie Granato named Goshen College women’s basketball associate head coach

by | Nov 15, 2018 | RRSN News | 0 comments

Fifth-year assistant elevated to top lieutenant

GOSHEN, Ind. — The Goshen College women’s basketball program and head coach Stephanie Miller have announced the promotion of Vinnie Granato to associate head coach.

Granato is in his fifth season as an assistant coach on the Maple Leaf bench, having joined Miller’s staff in 2014. He was part of the deepest postseason run and winningest season in program history in his second year, when the 2015-16 team finished 27-9 and reached the Fab Four in the NAIA national tournament.

The Watsontown, Pennsylvania, native is a 2014 graduate of Clarion University, where he spent four seasons as a manager for the men’s basketball program after serving two years in a similar capacity at Warrior Run High School. He started his coaching career at Redbank Valley High School in Pennsylvania in the 2013-14 season.

Since his arrival in Goshen, Granato has been instrumental in player development, scouting, recruiting, and coordinating the practice squad.

“Vinnie’s work ethic, knowledge of the game, and his work with the men’s squad and our film packages have made him an invaluable asset to the Maple Leaf program,” Miller said. “His passion for learning the game combined with his desire to care for and develop the young women in our program on and off the floor are what make Vinnie such a special young coach. It was no coincidence that his assistance helped lead to the ascent of the program, highlighted by a no. 4 national ranking and a Fab Four appearance.”

In his role as associate head coach, Granato will head up the film and scouting components of game preparation and will serve as the program’s recruiting coordinator. He will continue to be responsible for on-court player development and the men’s practice squad while adding responsibilities in practice planning and preparation.

“This was the right time for Vinnie to take on a different level of responsibility within our program and we couldn’t be more excited to see him succeed,” Miller said. “Although he had previous played a role in each of his new responsibilities, his talents and growth allow us to have Vinnie to head up these areas and further strengthen our program.”

“Going forward, I hope to continue to help develop the Maple Leaf program and the student-athletes in it,” Granato said. “I thank coach Miller for her continued confidence in me. It continues to be an honor to work for her and Goshen College.”

The Maple Leafs play three home games in five days beginning Friday night: Goshen hosts Ohio Christian at 7 p.m. Friday, Viterbo at 5 p.m. Saturday and Mount Vernon Nazarene at 6 p.m. Tuesday. The latter two dates are part of doubleheaders with the GC men’s team.

What His Players Say About Coach Granato:

Alyson Prigge, junior:

“As one of Vinnie’s first recruits, I have had a great relationship with him from the beginning. He is a great mentor and ‘big brother’ to all of us. His time and dedication to the players and the program in general goes above and beyond. I’d be bummed if he wasn’t here for my senior season next year, but I know that he’ll make a great head coach someday.”

Tyra Carver, 2016 graduate and assistant coach at Catawba Valley Community College:

“Vinnie is such a valuable piece of the GC women’s basketball program. His intelligence with Xs and Os is off the charts. Vinnie helped me see the game from a different prospective when I played under him. This is a well-deserved position for a great guy like Vinnie.”

Sophia Sears, 2017 graduate; 2016 second-team All-American:

“Vinnie’s basketball knowledge and enthusiasm for the game make him a terrific asset to the program. I’m excited to see what he will bring to the table as associate head coach.”

Liz Tecca, 2016 graduate and program record-holder in games played:

“Vinnie Granato is such an asset to the women’s basketball program. In addition to his incredible basketball IQ and knack for playwork, he acts as a stand-in brother to every player on the team, providing support and pushing us when we need it.”

Related Stories

Lopez Named Second Team All-MVC; Rodas on All-Defensive Team

Lopez Named Second Team All-MVC; Rodas on All-Defensive Team   Two Valpo softball players were honored Wednesday morning as the Missouri Valley Conference unveiled its postseason awards. Azalya Lopez (Corona, Calif./Eleanor Roosevelt [MSU Moorhead]) was named a Second...

Valpo Athletics Holds Annual ARC Awards Ceremony Sunday Evening

Valpo Athletics Holds Annual ARC Awards Ceremony Sunday Evening   Valparaiso University student-athletes, coaches and athletic staff members gathered at the Harre Union on Sunday evening for the annual ARC Awards ceremony, celebrating the successes of this academic...

58th IHSAA Baseball State Tournament Pairings Announced

A field of 383 teams will begin play next month as the pairings for the 58th Annual IHSAA Baseball State Tournament Series were announced this evening on IHSAAtv.org. IHSAA News Release https://www.ihsaa.org/sites/default/files/documents/050425.Baseball%20Pairings.pdf

Pairings revealed for 40th IHSAA Softball State Tournament

For the 40th year, the pairings for the IHSAA Softball State Tournament were announced this evening on IHSAAtv.org with 368 teams placed into sectional brackets. IHSAA News Release https://www.ihsaa.org/sites/default/files/documents/050425.Softball%20Pairings.pdf

Valpo U Softball Falls in Opener at UNI

Softball Falls in Opener at UNI   The Valpo softball team held a potent UNI offense at bay through four innings Friday evening as it opened the final weekend of the regular season, but a pair of home runs propelled the host Panthers to a 4-1 victory.   How It...

Mullins voted IndyStar Indiana Mr. Basketball for 2025

Cougars' standout is sixth All-Star from Greenfield or Greenfield-Central Braylon Mullins has earned the top individual award in Indiana high school boys' basketball. A 6-6 guard from Greenfield-Central High School, Mullins has been named IndyStar Indiana Mr....

Andy Waddle Brings More Than Just Football to Valpo

When Valparaiso University hired Andy Waddle in December, it got more than simply a head football coach. Waddle won a lot of games over the last 12 seasons at Marietta College, but he’s far prouder of the lives that he has saved than the games that he has won. Waddle...

Crossroads League in the NAIA National Polls | April 7-13

JACKSON, Mich. – The NAIA recently announced its Top-25 Polls for the sports of men’s and women’s tennis and women’s golf. The Crossroads League had 13 teams ranked or receiving votes in those polls and now has 39 teams ranked inside the Top-25 for the 2024-2025 year....

Bethel Softball surrenders doubleheader to Mount Vernon Cougars

MISHAWAKA, Ind.--The Bethel Pilots (8-26, 3-17) fell to the Mount Vernon Nazarene Cougars (17-12, 10-10) on Thursday evening at Gardner Field. GAME ONE In the opening inning, the Cougars posted two runs on the board with a single to center by Skylar Zimmerman and a...