Queens University of Charlotte head men’s basketball coach Grant Leonard is excited to round out the 2024-2025 coaching staff, as made official on Friday afternoon. The staff features three returning leaders and the addition of four new faces that bring an abundance of college and professional experience.
“This staff is energetic, dynamic, and brings a wealth of coaching and playing experience from all levels,” said Coach Leonard. “Three former professional basketball players, one coach with decades of experience in the NBA, and guys that have won many championships are exactly what this team needs to jump in the Atlantic Sun Conference.”
Fans can read more about each coach and their journey to the Queen City as well as more on their roles on the 2024-2025 staff.
Grant Leonard – Head Coach
Grant Leonard enters his 12th season at Queens University of Charlotte, and third season at the helm of the Royals program. Under his leadership in Division 1, the Royals have made back-to-back ASUN Tournament Quarterfinal appearances after ousting Florida Gulf Coast in the opening rounds in 2023 and 2024. Last season, Queens ranked top five in the nation in pace of play as the Royals averaged 80.1 points per game. Three Royals landed ASUN All-League honors, including AJ McKee (Second Team), Deyton Albury (Third Team/Newcomer of the Year), and Bryce Cash (All-Freshman).
Since taking over the program in the spring of 2022, Leonard has compiled a 32-34 record while scheduling a fierce national slate, featuring opponents in Duke, Clemson, BYU, and Ole Miss. The William Penn graduate has recruited and developed 33 players who have played professional basketball in the last 11 seasons. Most recently, former Royal standout BJ McLaurin signed with the Koping Stars of the Swedish Basketball League.
Dan Bailey – Assistant Coach and Rebounding Coordinator
Former Royal great Dan Bailey enters his third season on Grant Leonard‘s staff. The Queens rebounding legend will continue serving as the rebounding coordinator while taking on additional duties in scouting and game planning. In his first season on staff, the Royals ranked second in the league averaging 37.3 rebounds per game, including the second most offensive boards per game at 11.2.
Bailey, a 2012 graduate of Queens was named the Conference Carolinas Freshman of the Year after averaging 13.8 points and 8.9 rebounds per game. The fast start to his career surged Bailey to leading the squad in rebounds in three of his four seasons. Over his career, Bailey pulled down the second most rebounds at 812 and still leads the program with 758 defensive boards. Following graduation, Bailey spent seven seasons overseas as a professional standout.
Bobby Horodyski – Assistant Coach and Recruiting Coordinator
Bobby Horodyski enters his second season on the Royals staff and will serve as the defensive coordinator with oversight in fundraising. Horodyski joined the program following a four-year stint as the Director of Basketball Operations at BYU where he helped the Cougars in recruiting, scheduling, NIL, and academics. Horodyski played a significant role in the Cougars landing four-star recruit and ESPN’s No. 26 prospect in the class of 2022, Collin Chandler.
A defensive specialist, Horodyski guided the Cougars to a top 70 defensive ranking by KenPom in three of his four seasons in Provo. In 2020-21, Horodyski helped the Cougars secure a No. 6 seed in the big dance while finishing the year ranked No. 23 in the Associated Press final poll. That season, BYU ranked 23rd in offense and 30th in defense according to KenPom. Horodyski assisted in the development of three All-Conference performers, including the WCC Defensive Player of the Year in Matt Haarms.
JR Reynolds – Assistant Coach and Offensive Coordinator
Two-time All-ACC selection JR Reynolds returns to the Queen City for his second season. After a year as the Director of Basketball Operations, Reynolds will transition into the offensive coordinator role and assist with game plans and in-game play calls. In his first season on staff, the Royals offense averaged 80.1 points per game which was fourth most in the ASUN, and the most among any transitioning school. Queens was one of the nation’s fastest offenses and the quick play style resulted in the 29th most three-point attempts in the nation.
Before joining the Royals, Reynolds spent a season as an assistant coach with the Maine Celtics, the NBA G League affiliate of the Boston Celtics. Before getting into coaching, Reynolds was a standout point guard for the No. 4 ranked Virginia Cavaliers. His success in Charlottesville led to a successful 13-season professional career overseas, including stops in France and Montenegro.
Adam Short – Assistant Coach and Special Teams Coordinator
Adam Short, also known as “Bulldog” within the program, joined the Royals this summer after a season at Ole Miss under head coach Chris Beard. Short will oversee special teams, including ATOs, BOB, SOB, and after-free throw defense while also helping to develop a strong culture. Last season with the Rebels, Short helped Ole Miss rank sixth in the SEC in defensive scoring, sixth in turnovers, and third in steals. The year prior, Short helped Texas rank fourth in defensive scoring and top five in blocked shots and steals.
Short brings extensive coaching experience at various levels. Prior to working at Ole Miss and Texas, the Avila University alum worked at the NAIA, JUCO, and Division 2 levels. “All that diverse experience makes him a rare commodity in today’s coaching world,” said head coach Grant Leonard.
Kyle Moore – Assistant Coach and Shooting Coordinator
Sharpshooter Kyle Moore makes his return to the Carolinas and joined the Royals program this summer from The Rock School in Florida. Moore will serve as the team’s shooting coordinator while also handling advanced defensive scouting and personnel. While in Gainesville, Moore mentored and assisted in developing Virginia Tech signee and 2024 SIAA Player of the Year, Ryan Jones Jr. The 6-8 forward was ranked the 70th best prospect in the nation according to ESPN and helped the Lions capture a 2024 SIAA Regular Season title and SIAA Conference Tournament title.
Moore is familiar with the Queen City after spending a season at Winthrop where he helped the Eagles claim the Big South Regular Season title and a top 25 national ranking in the AP poll. Moore continued his career at Tusculum College where he put together a Hall of Fame career which was capped off with an induction in 2017. Moore was a two-time Division 2 All-American and two-time South Atlantic Conference Player of the Year. Moore led the league in scoring in back-to-back seasons, including a 24.9 mark in 2010 which ranked third nationally in Division 2 and fifth nationally across all levels. Moore was a knockdown perimeter shooter as he led the league in three-pointers made per game, including a 4.15 clip in 2010 which ranked third most in the nation in Division 2.
Stephen Giles – Special Advisor to Head Coach and Director of Game Planning and Scouting
A veteran coach and scout in the college and professional ranks, Giles joined the Royals program this summer coming from the Atlanta Hawks. A native of Erwin, North Carolina, Giles has spent five years coaching at the NCAA Division 1 level and 28 years in the NBA. Giles will serve as a Special Advisor to the Head Coach and Director of Game Planning and Scouting.
In the college ranks, Giles has worked for prestigious universities, including North Carolina, Florida State, and Marquette. While in Chapel Hill, Giles helped the Tar Heels capture their 20th conference tournament title under legendary head coach Dean Smith. After making his return to college basketball, Giles helped Marquette and head coach Tom Crean reach their fourth NCAA Tournament Final Four appearance. During that season, Dwayne Wade led the Golden Eagles with 21.5 points, 6.3 rebounds, and 4.4 assists per game.
In the NBA, Giles has worked for multiple organizations, including the Atlanta Hawks, Cleveland Cavaliers, New York Knicks, Golden State Warriors, and Orlando Magic. Giles first opportunity in the NBA came in Orlando where he helped the Magic win a conference title in 1995 and back-to-back division titles in 1995 and 1996. Giles has worked directly with an abundance of NBA superstars, including Shaquille O’Neal, Penny Hardaway, Carmelo Anthony, LeBron James, Kyrie Irving, Trae Young, and Dejounte Murray.
Damian Dixon – Director of Player Development
An experienced college basketball coach, Dixon joined the Royals this summer and brings seven years of coaching tenure, including three years in Division 3 and four years in Division 2. Dixon will serve as the Director of Player Development and play a significant role in the operations and logistics of the program.
For the last three seasons, Dixon has served as an assistant coach at Eckerd College. While on staff, Dixon assisted in the development of three Sunshine State All-Conference recipients, including the Sunshine State Conference Freshman of the Year. A Greensboro College graduate, Dixon got his coaching career underway at his alma mater where he led the junior varsity squad to an undefeated season. The success led Dixon to being promoted to assistant coach in 2014 where he coached and developed five USA South All-Conference performers, including the 2014-15 USA South Player of the Year, Simeon Howard.
Leonard finalizes Basketball Staff at Queens University of Charlotte
