Earl Grant has been dismissed as head coach of the Boston College Eagles men’s basketball after five seasons leading the program, according to multiple media reports released Sunday.
Grant, 49, leaves the program with an overall 72–92 record, including an 11–20 mark during the 2025–26 season and a 4–14 record in Atlantic Coast Conference play. The disappointing season ultimately led to the decision as Boston College struggled to remain competitive within the Atlantic Coast Conference.
Season Ends With Missed ACC Tournament
Boston College’s campaign concluded with a 77–69 victory over Notre Dame, but the win was not enough to extend the season. The Eagles needed help elsewhere in the conference standings to qualify for the ACC tournament.
When Pittsburgh defeated Syracuse later that day, Boston College was eliminated from contention for the final tournament spot.
Missing the conference tournament for the second straight season intensified scrutiny around Grant’s tenure and accelerated the decision to move in a different direction.
A Difficult Run in the ACC
Grant was hired by Boston College in 2021 to replace former coach Jim Christian, tasked with rebuilding a program that had struggled for years to compete in the ACC.
However, consistent success proved difficult to achieve. Over five seasons:
- Overall record: 72–92
- ACC record: 31–67
- Winning seasons: 1
Boston College managed a promising 20–16 campaign in 2023–24, reaching the ACC tournament quarterfinals and appearing in the NIT. But the program failed to build on that momentum and slipped back into the bottom tier of the conference.
The Eagles have also not reached the NCAA Tournament since the 2008–09 season, one of the longest droughts among major-conference programs.
Offensive Struggles a Major Factor
Throughout Grant’s tenure, Boston College often struggled offensively.
In the 2025–26 season, the team ranked near the bottom of Division I basketball in scoring, averaging around 67 points per game, which significantly limited its ability to compete against stronger ACC opponents.
While the Eagles occasionally showed defensive resilience, the inability to produce consistent scoring proved to be a recurring problem.
Grant’s Career Before Boston College
Before arriving at Boston College, Grant had built a successful résumé at the College of Charleston Cougars men’s basketball.
During seven seasons at Charleston, he compiled a 127–89 record and guided the Cougars to the 2018 NCAA Tournament, which helped establish his reputation as a rising coaching prospect.
He also served as an assistant coach at Clemson Tigers men’s basketball before landing his first Division I head-coaching job.
Boston College Begins Coaching Search
Grant’s dismissal begins another rebuilding phase for Boston College basketball. The Eagles will now launch a national search for a new head coach tasked with reviving the program and ending its lengthy NCAA tournament drought.
The move is part of broader changes within the school’s athletic department. Just a week earlier, Boston College also parted ways with its women’s basketball coach, signaling a significant reset for the school’s basketball programs.
What Comes Next for the Program
The next hire will face a challenging task. Competing in the ACC means regularly facing powerhouse programs such as:
- Duke Blue Devils men’s basketball
- North Carolina Tar Heels men’s basketball
- Virginia Cavaliers men’s basketball
To climb out of the conference’s lower tier, Boston College will need stronger recruiting, improved offensive efficiency, and sustained player development.
For now, the Eagles begin the offseason searching for their next leader on the sidelines, hoping the next chapter will finally return the program to national relevance.
