
Tennessee basketball has hired Earl Grant as an assistant coach. Grant previously served as the head coach at Boston College from 2021 to 2026.
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Tennessee basketball hires former ACC head coach as assistant
Tennessee announced the hiring of an assistant basketball coach on Thursday. The Vols hired Earl Grant.
He served as Boston College's head coach from 2021-26, compiling a 72-92 (31-67 ACC) record. The Eagles advanced to the NIT second round during the 2023-24 season.
"Earl Grant is a perfect fit for Tennessee basketball and I'm so glad he is coming aboard," Tennessee head coach Rick Barnes said. "I called him recently just to talk and, as we continued our conversation, I realized he was just the person we needed on our staff.
"I've known Earl for a long time and always had a great deal of respect for him. I love his coaching philosophies and we are bringing him here to help make us even better. Earl is a man of impeccable character and I am certain he will make a positive impact on the players in our program."
Grant also served as head coach at College of Charleston from 2014-21. He guided the Cougars to a 127–89 record, advancing to the NCAA Tournament second round and appearing in the 2017 NIT first round.
More: 2026-27 Tennessee basketball roster
March 22, 2026; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Tennessee Volunteers guard Ja'kobi Gillespie (0) makes a pass against the Virginia Cavaliers in the first half during a second round game of the men's 2026 NCAA Tournament at Xfinity Mobile Arena.
Earl Grant is a former head coach at Boston College, where he had a record of 72-92, including 31-67 in the ACC.
Rick Barnes expressed that Earl Grant is a perfect fit for Tennessee basketball and emphasized his excitement about Grant joining the staff.
Earl Grant served as the head coach at Boston College from 2021 to 2026.
During Earl Grant's last season, Boston College advanced to the NIT second round.

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March 22, 2026; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Tennessee Volunteers forward Nate Ament (10) dribbles the ball against the Virginia Cavaliers in the first half during a second round game of the men's 2026 NCAA Tournament at Xfinity Mobile Arena.
March 22, 2026; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Tennessee Volunteers forward Jaylen Carey (23) shoots a free throw against the Virginia Cavaliers in the first half during a second round game of the men's 2026 NCAA Tournament at Xfinity Mobile Arena.
March 22, 2026; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Tennessee Volunteers forward Nate Ament (10) dribbles the ball against Virginia Cavaliers center Ugonna Onyenso (33) in the first half during a second round game of the men's 2026 NCAA Tournament at Xfinity Mobile Arena.
March 22, 2026; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Tennessee Volunteers forward Nate Ament (10) dribbles the ball against Virginia Cavaliers guard Malik Thomas (1) in the first half during a second round game of the men's 2026 NCAA Tournament at Xfinity Mobile Arena.
March 22, 2026; Philadelphia, PA, USA;Tennessee Volunteers guard Amari Evans (1) makes a pass against Virginia Cavaliers guard Dallin Hall (30) in the first half during a second round game of the men's 2026 NCAA Tournament at Xfinity Mobile Arena.
March 22, 2026; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Tennessee Volunteers guard Bishop Boswell (3) shoots the ball against Virginia Cavaliers guard Jacari White (6) in the first half during a second round game of the men's 2026 NCAA Tournament at Xfinity Mobile Arena.
March 22, 2026; Philadelphia, PA, USA;Tennessee Volunteers head coach Rick Barnes reacts after defeating Virginia Cavaliers during a second round game of the men's 2026 NCAA Tournament at Xfinity Mobile Arena.
Tennessee Volunteers head coach Rick Barnes reacts during the second half in the second round of the 2026 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament at Xfinity Mobile Arena on March 22, 2026 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
Tennessee Volunteers head coach Rick Barnes and Nate Ament #10 of the Tennessee Volunteers high five during the second half in the second round of the 2026 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament at Xfinity Mobile Arena on March 22, 2026 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
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March 22, 2026; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Tennessee Volunteers guard Ja'kobi Gillespie (0) makes a pass against the Virginia Cavaliers in the first half during a second round game of the men's 2026 NCAA Tournament at Xfinity Mobile Arena.
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March 22, 2026; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Tennessee Volunteers guard Ja'kobi Gillespie (0) makes a pass against the Virginia Cavaliers in the first half during a second round game of the men's 2026 NCAA Tournament at Xfinity Mobile Arena.
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March 22, 2026; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Tennessee Volunteers forward Nate Ament (10) dribbles the ball against the Virginia Cavaliers in the first half during a second round game of the men's 2026 NCAA Tournament at Xfinity Mobile Arena.
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March 22, 2026; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Tennessee Volunteers forward Jaylen Carey (23) shoots a free throw against the Virginia Cavaliers in the first half during a second round game of the men's 2026 NCAA Tournament at Xfinity Mobile Arena.
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March 22, 2026; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Tennessee Volunteers forward Nate Ament (10) dribbles the ball against Virginia Cavaliers center Ugonna Onyenso (33) in the first half during a second round game of the men's 2026 NCAA Tournament at Xfinity Mobile Arena.
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March 22, 2026; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Tennessee Volunteers forward Nate Ament (10) dribbles the ball against Virginia Cavaliers guard Malik Thomas (1) in the first half during a second round game of the men's 2026 NCAA Tournament at Xfinity Mobile Arena.
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March 22, 2026; Philadelphia, PA, USA;Tennessee Volunteers guard Amari Evans (1) makes a pass against Virginia Cavaliers guard Dallin Hall (30) in the first half during a second round game of the men's 2026 NCAA Tournament at Xfinity Mobile Arena.
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March 22, 2026; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Tennessee Volunteers guard Bishop Boswell (3) shoots the ball against Virginia Cavaliers guard Jacari White (6) in the first half during a second round game of the men's 2026 NCAA Tournament at Xfinity Mobile Arena.
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March 22, 2026; Philadelphia, PA, USA;Tennessee Volunteers head coach Rick Barnes reacts after defeating Virginia Cavaliers during a second round game of the men's 2026 NCAA Tournament at Xfinity Mobile Arena.
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Tennessee Volunteers head coach Rick Barnes reacts during the second half in the second round of the 2026 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament at Xfinity Mobile Arena on March 22, 2026 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
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Tennessee Volunteers head coach Rick Barnes and Nate Ament #10 of the Tennessee Volunteers high five during the second half in the second round of the 2026 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament at Xfinity Mobile Arena on March 22, 2026 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
This article originally appeared on Vols Wire: Vols hire former Boston College basketball head coach