Bryant Coach Resigns Days After Charges Dropped Following Car Crash

NORTH SMITHFIELD, RI — Bryant University men's basketball head coach Jared Grasso has resigned just days after charges were dropped after he was accused of causing a car crash last month.

Grasso, 43, announced his decision in a lengthy statement on X Monday.

"My role as a father and husband is everything to me," Grasso wrote. "The rigors of a coach’s lifestyle and 3 young children can make that extremely challenging. My mental and physical health must come first at this time."

Reminiscing on his 25-year-long career, Grasso noted that he had been "blessed" to coach in 10 post-season tournaments in the past 13 years, culminating in the "special" 2022 NCAA Tournament team which he said has the "strongest character and most winning experience of any we have ever assembled."

"The last 5 1/2 years were Special," Grasso wrote. "We LAUGHED and THOUGHT a lot. And we shed more than a few TEARS along the way. Just like the legendary coach Jim Valvano told us to 30 years ago."

Grasso decided he was taking a leave of absence from the team in September before eventually resigning, ESPN reported.

Misdemeanor charges against Grasso, who was accused of failing to stop in an accident resulting in damage to a vehicle Oct. 1, were dismissed Tuesday, his lawyer told WPRI. The reason for the dismissal was not stated.

Grasso has been accused of sidesweeping a woman's vehicle and then continuing down Route 146 South by the West Acres Interchange in North Smithfield, WPRI reported.

He was booked and released before his Oct. 24 court appearance, according to a police report obtained by the outlet.

Grasso entered his sixth season as the head coach of the Bryant University men's basketball program in 2023-24, signing a contract extension through 2026-27 on April 4, 2022.

Phil Martelli Jr. has been appointed to serve as interim head coach this season, multiple reports state.