Candidates to replace Charlotte 49ers coach Aaron Fearne The Charlotte 49ers have initiated a new coaching search for their men’s basketball program following the departure of head coach Aaron Fearne. After three seasons and a 47-51 record, Fearne was let go by athletic director Kevin White, who opted to buy out his $1.5 million contract, which originally extended through 2029. This decision comes amid a 21-year NCAA Tournament drought for the program, despite a recent strong showing in the American Conference tournament. White, who recently assumed his role, faces the challenge of hiring a new head coach to end the team’s long absence from March Madness. He emphasized the importance of the men’s basketball program to the athletic department’s overall success, stating it must consistently compete for conference championships and NCAA Tournament berths. Among the potential candidates under consideration is Emanuel Dildy, the current assistant head coach for Duke. Dildy, who joined the Blue Devils in 2023, has worked with Charlotte Hornets rookie Kon Knueppel and is mentoring NBA Lottery hopeful Isiah Evans. Despite lacking head coaching experience, Dildy’s background includes roles at Oklahoma, Northwestern, and other programs. His promotion to associate head coach under Jon Scheyer was praised for his recruiting skills and leadership. Another name in the mix is Earl Grant, recently fired by Boston College after a 72-92 record over five seasons. Grant previously revitalized the College of Charleston program, leading it to NCAA Tournament appearances and a strong presence in the Colonial Athletic Association. His ties to the Carolinas, including a native connection to South Carolina, and his history with Brad Brownell at Clemson make him a compelling candidate.#earl_grant #aaron_fearne #charlotte_49ers #kevin_white #emanuel_dildy
Boston College Announces Leadership Change in Men’s Basketball Program Boston College has announced that Earl Grant will not return as head coach of the men’s basketball team for the 2026-2027 season. William V. Campbell Director of Athletics Blake James confirmed the decision, stating that the university has greater expectations for the program and believes a change in leadership is necessary to alter the team’s trajectory. James praised Grant’s dedication over the past five seasons, calling him a man of high character who represented the institution with class. Grant, who led the team to an overall record of 72-92 and a 31-67 mark in conference play during his tenure, will depart after five seasons. James emphasized the university’s commitment to competing at the highest level of college basketball and providing a world-class experience for student-athletes. A national search for a new head coach will begin immediately, with the goal of finding someone who aligns with Boston College’s vision of excellence both on and off the court. The announcement comes as the team concludes its regular season with a game against Notre Dame, where they secured a 77-69 victory on Senior Day. Despite the win, the program has faced challenges in recent years, including a 72-63 loss to Virginia Tech on the road and a 25-point performance from senior standout Boden Kapke in a previous matchup. The search for a new coach is expected to focus on candidates who can rebuild the program’s competitiveness and academic success.#notre_dame #boston_college #earl_grant #blake_james #boden_kapke
Boston College Fires Men’s Basketball Coach Earl Grant Boston College has fired men’s basketball coach Earl Grant after five seasons in which the Eagles never made the NCAA tournament and finished above .500 just once. Grant, who took over the program in 2021 following Jim Christian’s departure, compiled a 72-92 overall record and a 30-67 mark in the Atlantic Coast Conference during his tenure. The decision marks the longest NCAA tournament drought in program history, as BC has not secured a bid since Al Skinner’s teams earned seven appearances between 2001 and 2009—a span that included four head coaches, five athletic directors, and two conference transitions. Grant, 49, previously led the College of Charleston to five consecutive winning seasons, including a 2018 campaign that earned him the Colonial Athletic Association’s coach of the year award and a berth in the NCAA tournament. At Boston College, he showed gradual improvement in his first three years, guiding the Eagles to 13, then 16, and finally 20 victories before the team’s performance declined. Over the past two seasons, BC won just seven ACC games combined and missed the 15-team conference tournament in back-to-back years. The program’s struggles extend beyond basketball. Boston College, one of the early schools to transition leagues during the NCAA’s conference realignment era, left the Big East for the ACC in 2005. Since joining the conference, the Eagles have posted a 305-368 record, the worst in ACC history. The women’s basketball team, which recently fired coach Joanna Bernabei-McNamee, has also failed to reach the NCAA tournament since 2006, its first year in the ACC. Meanwhile, the football team went 2-10 this season, winning just one conference game and securing only one bowl victory in a decade.#ncaa_tournament #boston_college #earl_grant #atlantic_coast_conference #college_of_charleston
Boston College Fires Men's Basketball Coach Earl Grant Boston College has fired its men’s basketball coach, Earl Grant, marking the end of his five-year tenure at the school. The decision was announced on Sunday, with the athletic department expressing gratitude for Grant’s contributions while stating the institution has “greater expectations” for the basketball program. Grant, who had three seasons remaining on his contract, had it extended through the 2028-29 season. The firing comes as Boston College finished the season with an 11-20 record overall and a 4-14 mark in Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) play. The Eagles placed ahead of only the last-place Yellow Jackets (11-20, 2-16) in the conference standings. Grant’s five-year record at Boston College includes a total of 72 wins and 92 losses, with the team posting a winning season in just one of those campaigns. Boston College is the second ACC team to dismiss its head coach this week, following Georgia Tech’s decision to fire Damon Stoudamire. The Eagles’ performance this season fell short of expectations, prompting the school to initiate a national search for a new head coach. Athletic director Blake James emphasized the institution’s commitment to competing at the highest level of college basketball and providing a “world-class experience” for student-athletes. James stated that the search for a replacement will begin immediately, with the new coach expected to align with the school’s vision of excellence both on and off the court. The decision to part ways with Grant reflects the pressures faced by collegiate athletic programs to balance competitive success with academic and institutional goals. Grant’s departure underscores the challenges of maintaining a winning culture in a highly competitive conference.#georgia_tech #boston_college #earl_grant #atlantic_coast_conference #blake_james
