BENTONVILLE -- Jody Grant said there were times when the clock "seemed like it was running backward" as he waited out the final outcome of Bentonville's football coaching search.
All of that changed the moment the Tigers' defensive coordinator received a phone call from Bentonville athletic director Scott Passmore, who told Grant he had been promoted during the conclusion of Monday's school board meeting.
"It was surreal," Grant said. "It was nice to get that phone call. Knowing I've been a finalist for the past 10 or 11 days, I knew there was a chance. It lets me know it's an answer to prayer. Truthfully, I'm ready to go and get started."
Grant, 39, has been at Bentonville since 2004 following coaching stints at Clinton and Vilonia. He served two years at Lincoln Junior High before he joined the Tigers' coaching staff, where he worked with outside linebackers and defensive backs until he was named the defensive coordinator before the 2013 season.
Now he assumes the role vacated by Barry Lunney, who announced his retirement on Jan. 26 after he led Bentonville to back-to-back state championships and four titles in the past six years.
"This is an exciting night for my family and for our staff," Grant said. "This is something we've been hoping for, not just for me professionally but for the staff in general. We appreciate the opportunity that the administration is giving us to keep this thing in-house.
"I've been coaching for 16 years, and under coach Lunney the last 10. I've grown professionally, and he's put me in a situation to where I was ready. Because of his guidance and the roles he's given me, I thought it was time, and I'm grateful for this opportunity."
Bentonville continued to have one of the top defenses in the 7A-West Conference under Grant's direction the past two seasons. The Tigers led the league in pass defense this season, where they allowed 118.6 yards per game, and they finished second only to Fort Smith Southside in total defense (262 yards per game) and points allowed (13.7 points per game).
Grant was chosen out of 33 applicants for the job. Passmore and seven other people were part of a search committee that interviewed 10 of the applicants, then announced Grant and McAlester, Okla., head coach Bryan Pratt being the two finalists.
"First of all, we had an excellent pool," Bentonville superintendent Michael Poore said. "I think that speaks well of our community and of our high school and our district. I think the process we put our candidates through was thorough, and we ended up with two fantastic candidates as our finalists.
"I think Jody Grant will do a great job at Bentonville High. It was tough because you have two candidates that were so evenly matched. Jody was gone some of these transitions when he was named defensive coordinator, and that wasn't easy. That was a big shakeup, and he handled it extremely well.
Grant's salary will be raised to about $91,000 per year, effective immediately, and his contract will be renewed at that amount on July 1.
Pratt, who had been McAlester's head coach for nine years and compiled an 85-27 record during that time, was gracious despite not being selected for the position.
"It's been an honor to be in the final two for such a prestigious job," he said. "The entire process with Bentonville schools was handled in a very professional manner. I'm sure they did their homework and made the right hire. Congrats to Coach Grant and the Tigers."
Henry Apple can be reached by email at happle@nwadg.com or on Twitter @NWAHenry
Sports on 03/17/2015