Earl Grant’s exit seems likely, but Saturday could complicate everything for Boston College
By NICK PETRALIA (Photos: JOHN SEXTON)
Entering the final weekend of the regular season, many believe Earl Grant is coaching his last game in Chestnut Hill. With an ACC Tournament berth still within reach, however, the outcome of Saturday’s game against Notre Dame could complicate what many view as an inevitable coaching change.
As of March 5, Boston College (10-20, 3-14 ACC) sits one game behind Notre Dame and Pittsburgh in the conference standings for the 15th and final spot in the ACC Tournament. If BC defeats Notre Dame on Saturday in Chestnut Hill and Pitt loses to Syracuse, the Eagles would clinch a spot in Charlotte.
BC’s 20 losses this season are tied for the most under Earl Grant in his five seasons as head coach of the Eagles (since 2021-22). Since BC won 20 games in 2023-24, it has a record of 22-39. A loss on Saturday would not only mean this season was statistically the worst in the Grant era, it would also mean a second straight season the Eagles miss out on the ACC Tournament.
Many insiders, including ESPN’s Jeff Borzello and CBS Sports’ Matt Norlander, believe Grant’s firing is almost inevitable at this point. A loss to Notre Dame or a Pitt victory against Syracuse would, in all likelihood, according to these insiders, seals his fate. Is it possible, however, that Grant can save his job with an ACC Tournament berth? Here are the reasons why it might:
Recent History
In 2009, Al Skinner led BC to its last NCAA Tournament appearance. He was fired a year later with three years left on his contract. During his 13-year tenure, BC reached the tournament seven times and earned the highest seed in program history: a No. 3 seed in 2001. Is it possible Boston College’s hesitancy to make a move stems from a decision many view as a mistake?
The two coaches who followed Skinner were fired either during or in the offseason before their final year under contract. Jim Christian, the man Earl Grant replaced, was fired in the middle of his final year under contract following a 3-13 start and two straight losing seasons prior. Christian had only one winning season as BC’s head coach, but that was enough to give him security for two and a half years. The coach before Christian, Steve Donahue, had three straight losing seasons before he was fired. Grant is approaching his second straight losing season following his only winning season. A late-season push could make BC hesitant about pulling the trigger. If BC does fire Grant, however, it would be a good sign that BC no longer has this apprehension and is not holding coaches long past their expiration date.
Money
Coach Grant is under contract with BC through the 2028-29 season thanks to an extension he signed following the aforementioned 20-win season. According to Boston College’s tax filings from FY 2024, Grant’s salary is $2,414,487, meaning BC should owe him at least $7.2 million through the next three seasons. Because Boston College is a private university, Grant’s contract buyout details are not public. One would assume, however, buying him out would cost more than that $7.2 million figure.
Firing Grant would not only mean buying out his contract. It would mean having to spend similar, if not more, money on a new coach, along with spending money to completely build a new roster as, in all likelihood, the majority, if not all, of the team would enter the transfer portal. BC has been notorious for not wanting to spend Big Ten- or SEC-level (or even top-tier ACC) money on sports. With football also in the middle of a complete overhaul under Bill O’Brien and women’s basketball looking for a new head coach, it would not be far-fetched to see BC try to find an excuse to push off Grant’s firing to save some money.
They Just Like Earl
“I trust Coach Grant with my life,” BC guard Donald Hand Jr. said earlier this season. “Imma ride with him till the end.” Hand has also called Grant “one of the best coaches in America.”
Fred Payne’s mother, Brandi (Brandinross on X), has tweeted multiple times about how much Payne loves Earl Grant, once saying, “He loves Earl. If coach leave I know Fred will also.”
Other athletes outside the basketball program have also sung Earl’s praises. One athlete emphasized to me how much they appreciated that Earl looks out for female athletes, often overlooked or underinvested in by BC.
Bottom Line
While I believe Earl Grant’s firing is the right move for Boston College, and it certainly seems as if Blake James and Co. are ready to pull the plug, an ACC Tournament berth and a win in Charlotte could secure Grant another season on Chestnut Hill.
Something to look out for as well: Kim English and Providence are reported parting ways. BC will have to compete with the Friars for top coaches in the area.