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Report: Tennessee basketball expected to hire Earl Grant as assistant coach
TL;DR
Tennessee basketball is expected to hire Earl Grant as an assistant coach following Justin Gainey's departure to N.C. State. Grant previously coached at Boston College, where he had a 72-92 record over five seasons.
ATLANTA, GEORGIA - JANUARY 3: Earl Grant of the Boston College Eagles watches a play during a game between Boston College v Georgia Tech at Hank McCamish Pavilion on January 3, 2026 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Andrew J. Clark/ISI Photos/ISI Photos via Getty Images) | ISI Photos via Getty Images
Another year, another replacement on Rick Barnes’ staff in Knoxville. That’s the price of success, and the Volunteers have had plenty of it over the past three seasons. Tennessee has reached three straight Elite Eights, sending Kim English, Michael Schwartz, Chris Ogden and Rob Lanier to head coaching jobs. Rod Clark left for a bigger role on the Indiana staff last season.
This time around it was Justin Gainey, who returned home to N.C. State to take over the Wolfpack program.
According to VolQuest, Tennessee has found its replacement for Gainey on staff. The Volunteers are expected to hire Earl Grant, who spent the last five seasons at Boston College. Grant had a 72-92 overall record at Boston College before being fired last month.
Grant also spent seven seasons as the head coach of College of Charleston. He was an assistant coach at The Citadel, Winthrop, Wichita State and Clemson before that, following up a playing career in DII.
Grant is 49 years old. The complete structure of the staff is not yet clear. Barnes hired Amorrow Morgan last season to replace Clark. Gregg Polinsky, Bryan Lentz and Steve McClain remain on staff in assistant roles.
Tennessee is currently navigating the transfer portal with a busy week ahead. The Volunteers are tasked with replacing nearly the entire roster, but clearly have the funds ready to do so. Expect more fireworks in the coming days with visits heating up.
Q&A
Who is Earl Grant and what is his coaching background?
Earl Grant is a former head coach at Boston College, where he had a 72-92 record over five seasons before being fired.
Why did Tennessee basketball need to hire a new assistant coach?
Tennessee basketball needed a new assistant coach after Justin Gainey left to take over the N.C. State program.
What impact has Tennessee basketball's success had on its coaching staff?
Tennessee basketball's success, including three straight Elite Eight appearances, has led to multiple staff replacements as coaches move on to head coaching positions.
