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Who is Grant Leonard? Meet Queens University head coach that sports ugly sweaters on sideline originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
Some basketball head coaches wear suits and ties, while others dress down with quarter-zips and khakis. Grant Leonard, though, takes his game-day attire to a completely new level.
The Queens head coach brought the Royals to their first NCAA Tournament this year, drawing No. 2 Purdue. During the game, Leonard donned a very specific sweater instead of his usual attire, celebrating St. Patrick's Day in the process.
Fans tuning in to Queens basketball for the first time may not be familiar with Leonard, but the 45-year-old is no stranger to bold fashion choices. Here's what you need to know about Leonard's penchant for sweaters.
MARCH MADNESS HQ:Live NCAA bracket | TV schedule | Latest news and more
What was Grant Leonard wearing in game vs. Purdue?
Although St. Patrick's Day already passed, Queens head coach Grant Leonard remained in the holiday spirit during the team's first-round matchup on Friday night. As the Royals took the floor against Purdue, Leonard wore a unique sweater that combined the American flag with Irish flare.
HISTORY OF UPSETS BY SEED:
16 vs. 1 | 15 vs. 2 | 14 vs. 3 | 13 vs. 4 | 12 vs. 5
Other Grant Leonard game day outfits?
Leonard is known for wearing holiday-themed sweaters during games that fall on those days throughout he year. This season alone, he's worn sweaters for Thanksgiving, Christmas, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa, Black History Month and St. Patrick's day.
Coaching with purpose.
Coach Grant Leonard representing Black History Month on the sidelines — honoring the past, leading in the present, and building the future #RoyalsRise | #QUeenCity | #CMA | #WinToday | #PTBpic.twitter.com/dlwVbKQVWU
— Queens (N.C.) Men’s Basketball (@queensMBB) February 12, 2026
SN AWARDS: All-America team | Player of the Year | Coach of the Year
Why does Grant Leonard wear unique game day outfits?
Leonard said the origin of his game day sweaters involved when his family thought he wasn't festive enough during holidays.
"I kind of might have been accused years ago of being bah humbug by family," Leonard said, via WCNC, "so I think to counteract that I joking started wearing holiday sweaters to have fun. It kind of stuck."
In fact, as Leonard has gained notoriety over his sweaters, the coach has said he's gotten offers from companies.
"I've had a couple of companies reach out and offer to make custom ones," Leonard said. "I think we're going to start selling patches to local businesses next year for holiday ones."
Leonard also admitted that if Queens made the tournament, he needed to find a St. Patrick's Day sweater. And that's exactly what he did.
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Where is Grant Leonard from?
Queens head coach Grant Leonard is originally from Milwaukee, Wisconsin, and attended Martin Luther High School in Greendale. He played college basketball at William Penn College in Iowa and spent nearly two decades as an assistant coach before earning his first head coaching position.
Grant Leonard coaching record
| Year | Record |
| 2022-23 | 18-15 |
| 2023-24 | 14-19 |
| 2024-25 | 20-15 |
| 2025-26 | 21-13 |
Leonard has only been the head coach of Queens, as he has a 73-62 record in 135 games for the Royals since 2022.
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