Head Coach
Ryan Grandits
Coach data is provided for recruiting research and should be confirmed with the official athletics website before contact.
Basketball Staff Contacts
Verified 2026-08-15 from this program's own staff page. Staff change during the recruiting cycle, so confirm before sending outreach.
| Name | Role | |
|---|---|---|
| Ryan Grandits | Head Coach | rgrandit@daemen.edu |
| Sport Supervisor | Basketball Staff | tmurphy@daemen.edu |
| Jeff Sage | Primary Athletic Trainer | jsage@daemen.edu |
| Mary Margaret Johnson | Communications/Media Relations Contact | mmjohnso@daemen.edu |
| TJ LaVigne | Strength & Conditioning Coach | tlavigne@daemen.edu |
| Nicole Sheehan | Academic Support & Community Engagement | nsheeha1@daemen.edu |
About Daemen University Basketball
Daemen basketball has built something real in the East Coast Conference, a program that develops players into college competitors while maintaining high academic standards. Head coach Mike MacDonald leads a team committed to the grind of NCAA Division II basketball, where every possession matters and consistency separates contenders from the rest. Playing in Amherst means joining a community that takes your growth seriously. The Wildcats compete in a conference that demands toughness and execution. You'll develop under coaching that emphasizes fundamentals, basketball IQ, and accountability, the things that translate to the next level or into your career after college. Daemen offers something many programs can't: a genuine balance between athletic excellence and educational opportunity. You're not choosing between basketball or academics here; you're building both. The program attracts student-athletes who want to test themselves against quality competition while earning degrees that matter. This is a program for players ready to earn their minutes, embrace the process, and understand that Division II basketball requires mental toughness alongside physical skill. If you're serious about playing college basketball at a place that invests in your development, both on and off the court, Daemen deserves a closer look. Every serious recruiting conversation starts with preparation. Florida Coastal Prep, located in Fort Walton Beach, FL, trains post-grad and high school players to compete at the college level and attract the right attention. See if it's the right fit at floridacoastalprep.com or /apply/.
D2 programs offer a compelling combination of competitive basketball and strong academics. Understanding the differences between D1, D2, and D3 helps you target the right fit, and coaches at this level respond well to personalized outreach using the right email approach.
What Recruits Should Know About East Coast Conference Recruiting
D2 programs in the East Coast Conference offer a balance of competitive basketball and academic opportunity. Coaches at this level recruit both locally and nationally, and they move quickly on players they evaluate. NCAA D2 athletic scholarships can be partial or full, and many programs package financial aid to make attendance financially feasible.
The D2 recruiting calendar runs parallel to D1 but with more flexibility. Daemen University coaching staff evaluates prospects at regional and national tournaments, and they respond well to direct contact from players who have done their research on the program. Make sure your NCAA Eligibility Center account is active and your academic records are current before reaching out.
Strength and Conditioning for the D2 Level
Body development is one of the most overlooked factors in college recruiting. D2 coaches won't offer a player whose physical profile can't hold up to a 30-game college season. FCP's post-graduate program includes a dedicated strength and conditioning track that prepares players for the physical demands of college basketball, and shows up on film in ways that matter to coaches at programs like Daemen University.
Our Spartan Training Center gives players access to professional-grade facilities and programming designed specifically for basketball performance at the college level. Apply to FCP and start building the physical foundation Daemen University's coaches want to see.
Whether you're a current high school player exploring options through our high school program or a graduate looking for a post-grad year, FCP provides the coaching, competition, and college placement support to help you reach programs like Daemen University.
Build the Profile Daemen University Coaches Want to See
Coaches at D2 programs aren't just looking for talent. They're looking for the right film, academic eligibility, and competitive résumé. FCP gives you all three, structured around the evaluation standards that programs like Daemen University use every recruiting cycle.
Coaching contacts compiled by the FCP recruiting staff. Cost and graduation figures from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, retrieved 2026-08-13.