Brian McGrory will return to Boston Globe as top editor

Former Boston Globe editor Brian McGrory is returning to the top position, the paper announced Monday.

The announcement of McGrory's return comes just days after the paper said Nancy Barnes will step down from the top editor position. Barnes, the first woman to lead the newspaper, held the position for just under three years and had taken over the role from McGrory in early 2023.

Barnes will stay on as an editor-at-large and plans to focus on a local news fundraising initiative, the newspaper said Friday.

McGrory previously served as editor of the Globe for a roughly a decade beginning in 2012, after holding various roles at the paper since 1989.

At the time of his departure as top editor, McGrory called the job "an honor on top of an honor."

"But 10 years is enough," McGrory told his colleagues then. "I’m proud of what our newsroom accomplished, and the Globe will benefit greatly from the fresh perspectives of a new editor."

McGrory left then to head up Boston University's journalism program. There, he launched a local news initiative that collaborated with news organizations in the region, including WBUR. The paper said he will remain involved with that program.

While at Boston University, McGrory remained on as an opinion columnist for the Globe.

"Brian's passion for the Globe and his love of Boston are deeply intertwined," Linda Henry, CEO of Boston Globe Media, said in a statement. "We are thrilled to welcome Brian back and look forward to the work our world-class newsroom will continue to do under his leadership."

McGrory will rejoin the organization as editor on Jan. 5, 2026.

Editor's Note: Boston University owns WBUR's broadcast license. WBUR is editorially independent.