Grant Billmeier returned to Seton Hall, his alma mater, for a second stint on head coach Kevin Willard's staff, after being hired as an assistant coach in Sept. 2015. Billmeier, who spent the 2014-15 season as an assistant coach at Fairleigh Dickinson, was Willard's Coordinator of Basketball Operations from 2010-13 before being promoted to Director of Basketball Operations for the 2013-14 season.
During Billmeier’s first stint on Willard’s coaching staff, his primary roles included serving as the academics liaison and the daily and monthly scheduling of practice times, lifting schedules and team meals. He also coordinated with local hospitals, foundations and soup kitchens to bring student-athletes out to the community.
A fan favorite in South Orange, Billmeier was a four-year letterwinner and two-year captain for the Pirates from 2003-07, playing in 106 career games and helping the program reach the NCAA Tournament twice in 2004 and ’06 and a first-round win over Arizona in ’04. He was the recipient of the Robin Cunningham Award for having the best academic success on the team.
A native of Pennington, N.J. and graduate of St. Patrick High School, Billmeier previously was an assistant coach at his alma mater under head coach Kevin Boyle. At St. Patrick, he helped the school win the 2003 New Jersey Tournament of Champions. After graduating from Seton Hall, Billmeier played professionally in Germany and Portugal and started his own basketball summer camp, the Billmeier and Nardi Skills Camp, alongside former St. Patrick teammate and Villanova guard Mike Nardi.
Billmeier is a Kevin Willard favorite. The unassuming big man quite possibly might be the hardest working member on the staff. The same work ethic and energy Grant showed as a player has remained now that he is retired from active ball and has traded in his uniform for a suit.
Billmeier now works with the big men in his second stint under Willard. As a assistant coach he is allowed to physically practice with the team and there is no one on the floor who works harder than he.
Trust me I have seen him in practice and you better bring your lunch pail when you go up against him.
Regarding recruiting. At this point Grant is getting his feet wet. He has contacts and is well respected but as a young (beginning his 3rd year) recruiting coach his lack of experience will be a hindrance early on as it was at one time for Holloway. But knowing his work ethic and his love for the school I have little doubt that down the road he'll be as valuable for the Hall off the court as he is now on it.
Grade for 2016 --- B.
During Billmeier’s first stint on Willard’s coaching staff, his primary roles included serving as the academics liaison and the daily and monthly scheduling of practice times, lifting schedules and team meals. He also coordinated with local hospitals, foundations and soup kitchens to bring student-athletes out to the community.
A fan favorite in South Orange, Billmeier was a four-year letterwinner and two-year captain for the Pirates from 2003-07, playing in 106 career games and helping the program reach the NCAA Tournament twice in 2004 and ’06 and a first-round win over Arizona in ’04. He was the recipient of the Robin Cunningham Award for having the best academic success on the team.
A native of Pennington, N.J. and graduate of St. Patrick High School, Billmeier previously was an assistant coach at his alma mater under head coach Kevin Boyle. At St. Patrick, he helped the school win the 2003 New Jersey Tournament of Champions. After graduating from Seton Hall, Billmeier played professionally in Germany and Portugal and started his own basketball summer camp, the Billmeier and Nardi Skills Camp, alongside former St. Patrick teammate and Villanova guard Mike Nardi.
Billmeier is a Kevin Willard favorite. The unassuming big man quite possibly might be the hardest working member on the staff. The same work ethic and energy Grant showed as a player has remained now that he is retired from active ball and has traded in his uniform for a suit.
Billmeier now works with the big men in his second stint under Willard. As a assistant coach he is allowed to physically practice with the team and there is no one on the floor who works harder than he.
Trust me I have seen him in practice and you better bring your lunch pail when you go up against him.
Regarding recruiting. At this point Grant is getting his feet wet. He has contacts and is well respected but as a young (beginning his 3rd year) recruiting coach his lack of experience will be a hindrance early on as it was at one time for Holloway. But knowing his work ethic and his love for the school I have little doubt that down the road he'll be as valuable for the Hall off the court as he is now on it.
Grade for 2016 --- B.
