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.
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.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.1 / 10PHOTOS: Tennessee basketball versus Virginia in NCAA TournamentMarch 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.1 / 10PHOTOS: Tennessee basketball versus Virginia in NCAA TournamentMarch 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.2 / 10PHOTOS: Tennessee basketball versus Virginia in NCAA TournamentMarch 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.3 / 10PHOTOS: Tennessee basketball versus Virginia in NCAA TournamentMarch 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.4 / 10PHOTOS: Tennessee basketball versus Virginia in NCAA TournamentMarch 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.5 / 10PHOTOS: Tennessee basketball versus Virginia in NCAA TournamentMarch 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.6 / 10PHOTOS: Tennessee basketball versus Virginia in NCAA TournamentMarch 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.7 / 10PHOTOS: Tennessee basketball versus Virginia in NCAA TournamentMarch 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.8 / 10PHOTOS: Tennessee basketball versus Virginia in NCAA TournamentMarch 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.9 / 10PHOTOS: Tennessee basketball versus Virginia in NCAA TournamentTennessee 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.10 / 10Nate Ament projected as No. 18 overall pick in NBA draftTennessee 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.Follow Vols Wire on Facebook and X (formerly Twitter).
This article originally appeared on Vols Wire: Vols hire former Boston College basketball head coach