William & Mary tabs Cornell's Brian Earl as head coach

Field Level Media|published: Sat 23rd March, 11:10 2024

Mar 19, 2024; Columbus, OH, USA; Cornell Big Red head coach Brian Earl watches during the first half of the NIT basketball game against the Ohio State Buckeyes at Value City Arena. credits: Adam Cairns/Columbus Dispatch / USA TODAY NETWORK

William & Mary hired Cornell coach Brian Earl to take the reins of the program, the school announced Saturday.

Earl, 47, compiled a 95-103 record during his seven seasons as the coach of the Big Red.

He guided Cornell to a 22-8 record in 2023-24 and its first bid in the NIT, where the Ivy League school dropped an 88-83 decision to Ohio State on Tuesday.

"Our applicant pool for this position was outstanding and Brian Earl's background of successfully playing (Princeton) and coaching at top academic institutions vaulted him to the top of our list," William & Mary athletic director Brian D. Mann said. "His teams have been extremely well coached and competitive in the Ivy League and beyond. Brian is incredibly excited about our program and the opportunities for winning here, and we are delighted he will be leading the Tribe toward achieving the goals we have set for the program."

"I am extremely honored to be joining the William & Mary family," Earl said. "My entire coaching career has been spent working at high-academic institutions with exceptional student-athletes, and I found that combination again here in Williamsburg."

William & Mary fired men's basketball coach Dane Fischer earlier this month after a 10-23 season.

The Tribe were 4-14 in Coastal Athletic Association play.

Fischer, 44, was 56-91 (32-50 CAA) in five seasons as head coach. In his first season, Fischer was named CAA Coach of the Year after the Tribe finished 21-11.

The team was under .500 in each of the following four seasons.

—Field Level Media