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Dayton coach Anthony Grant rips gamblers threatening him and his players after losses

Dayton coach Anthony Grant didn’t hold back on Tuesday night.

Grant erupted on certain Dayton fans who he said have been threatening him and his players in recent weeks. Grant revealed both he and players on his team have received hateful messages, threats and more related to gambling — something that became legal in Ohio on Jan. 1.

"I have to say seething because I think it's just necessary at this point," Grant said, via the Dayton Daily News. "These young men, we're asking them to sacrifice quite a bit for us to be able to do what we do and enjoy what we enjoy. So I'm just asking all the Flyer fans just to understand that we're dealing with 18-, 21-, 22-year-olds, and it's about them. This is about them … There's some laws that have recently been enacted that, really to me, could change the landscape of what college sports is all about.

"When we have people that make it about themselves and attack kids because of their own agenda, it sickens me."

Grant played a voicemail for reporters showing just a sample of the messages he’s said he’s received.

While it’s not clear specifically what the caller was referring to, or who it was, it doesn’t matter to Grant. That’s crossing a line.

"You had the lead with two minutes left," a caller said in the voicemail. "That's not comfortable. People will go down. Heads will roll for what happened tonight, I promise you that!"

Grant is in his sixth season leading the Flyers. They beat Davidson 68-61 on Tuesday night just before Grant’s rant, though they failed to cover the 10.5-point spread. On Friday, the Flyers fell to VCU despite holding an early 14-point lead in a game they were favored in, too.

Friday’s reaction from fans, athletic director Neil Sullivan said, “was the worst.”

"They have families." Grant said, via the Dayton Daily News. "They don't deserve that. Mental health is real.

"So if you're a Flyer fan, I ask you just to understand what you're dealing with, with young people. Take a step back, and reevaluate your priorities. And if you can't, we don't need you."