LeMoyne-Owen College has announced the hiring of Trennis Grant as the new head coach of its men's baseball program. A proven builder of championship programs, Grant becomes the first major coaching hire under new Director of Athletics Roderick Smothers, Jr., signaling an exciting new chapter for Magicians baseball.

    Grant arrives in Memphis after serving as head coach at Clark Atlanta University. Before that, he made national headlines as the inaugural head baseball coach at Dillard University, where he built the program from the ground up. In just its first season, Dillard captured the 2023 Gulf Coast Athletic Conference Tournament championship and earned a trip to the NAIA Regional. The Bleu Devils also finished as the conference regular season runner up, while Grant was recognized as the 2023 GCAC Coach of the Year and the HBCU Makeda Excellence Coach of the Year.

    For Grant, the opportunity to lead LeMoyne-Owen came at exactly the right time.

    "After leaving Clark Atlanta, I trusted that God was directing my next steps. Just two days later, Athletic Director Smothers called to check on me and asked about my plans. He shared this opportunity, and from that moment, it has continued to be a daily blessing."

    Throughout his coaching career, Grant has earned a reputation for developing talent while building programs with lasting success. In addition to his accomplishments at Dillard, he helped Southern University win the 2021 Southwestern Athletic Conference championship and advance to the NCAA Regional. He also served on the coaching staffs at Alabama A&M University, the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff and Hendrix College, where he played an important role in player development, recruiting and academic achievement.

    Grant believes every stop throughout his career has prepared him for this opportunity.

    "I also carry with me the lessons God taught me at Dillard University. Starting a baseball program from scratch, recruiting 41 players in less than a year, and winning a conference championship in the program's inaugural season was an incredible blessing. That experience taught me how to build a program, lead through adversity and trust God's plan even while I was still growing as a coach and a leader."

    Now, his focus turns toward restoring the Magicians to championship contention.

    "Throughout my career, I have consistently demonstrated the ability to build programs from the ground up and lead them to championships. Now, I am excited for the opportunity to show that I can also reset and renew an established program, creating a culture of excellence, restoring confidence and positioning LOC Baseball for sustained success and championship level performance."

    Grant emphasized that success at LOC will be measured by far more than wins and losses. His vision centers on building young men of character while establishing a foundation that will benefit the program for years to come.

    "Today, my mission at LeMoyne-Owen College is to combine those experiences, building, restoring and sustaining a championship culture. My goal is not simply to have a successful season but to establish a program that consistently competes for championships and develops young men on and off the field."

    He closed with a message directed to the LOC community.

    "Let's make some magic at LeMoyne-Owen College. Together, we can reset this program to where it belongs, competing for championships, building a culture of excellence and creating a winning tradition that every student athlete, alumnus and supporter wants to be a part of and give to."

    "The goal is simple: win now, build for the future and establish a championship culture that lasts for generations."

    A native of Canton, Mississippi, Grant played collegiately at Holmes Community College before earning his bachelor's degree in Interdisciplinary Studies from Arkansas Tech University. He and his wife, Cierra, are the proud parents of four children: Jalynn, Kamari, Renèe, and Taylor.

    With an accomplished résumé, a history of transforming programs and a clear vision for the future, Grant arrives at LeMoyne-Owen ready to lead the Magicians into a new era. His commitment to competitive excellence, student athlete development and a championship mindset provides a strong foundation as the program begins its next chapter.