By KEVIN McNAMARA
The Jared Grasso Era is over at Bryant.
On Monday morning the 43-year old coach resigned from his head men’s basketball post, citing a desire to address his ‘mental and physical health,’ and prioritize his family life. A Bryant athletic official confirmed that Grasso ‘has resigned from his position at Bryant University.’
Grasso began a leave of absence in late September for undisclosed reasons and never returned to his position. Bryant President Ross Gittell did release an update to the school community in late October that said Grasso “remains suspended from all University-related duties and is restricted from campus while Bryant continues an external investigation…The safety and well-being of students continues to be our highest priority at Bryant University. We will keep the community and parents updated.”
There were no reasons given for what Grasso was suspended for or what the school was investigating. It’s unclear if Bryant will release the results of its investigation now that Grasso has resigned and likely freed the school from paying off his contract. Grasso signed a contract extension through the 2027 season back in April of 2022 after completing Bryant’s greatest season, topped by its first NCAA Tournament appearance.
Grasso did cite a recovery from back surgery in his resignation post on X, writing “for the last 25 years I have chased this game relentlessly with a results-oriented mindset. My obsession and discipline with work, competition and winning championships is in my blood. But for now my mental health and surgically repaired back need to be tended to.”
Grasso had been charged with failing to stop in a traffic accident on Route 146 near campus that resulted in damage to another vehicle. He was accused of sideswiping a woman’s vehicle and then continuing down the highway. In body cam video footage released by the North Smithfield police, Grasso grew combative and gave confusing answers to a police officer, even at one point asking the officer if he plays basketball and saying ”You wanna shoot some jumpers?’
The traffic charges were later dismissed as Grasso’s insurance carrier accepted all liability in the matter, according to the North Smithfield police.
Associate head coach Phil Martelli Jr. is Bryant’s acting head coach this season and the Bulldogs are off to a 1-2 start with losses to Manhattan and at Rutgers on Sunday. The Bulldogs will play at Boston University and Final Four team Florida Atlantic this week. Martelli leads a veteran team that is quite talented and should be able to compete in the top of the America East Conference.
