Oso planning to go pro
The Friar board is saying some extra-curricula activities compelling the Cooley's quick exit. PC admin letting it roll given the issues, they say. Bynum now in the portal. At least one commit wants to be released. Providence picked Cooley because he was a local guy and he signed an extension last September. They now have to face two former coaches (Pitino and Cooley) at least 4 times a year. They are hoping for Billy Donovan to go back to college ranks. They are looking at a half decade (at least) pivot back to competitiveness.
What type of activities?
I wouldn’t be surprised at all if Billy Donovan was over the NBA, the Bulls experiment isn’t going great and I’d imagine Artūras Karnisovas wouldn’t be too devastated if they amicably parted ways.Might be a good way for Donovan to save face and head back home to coach his alma mater for the twilight of his coaching career, if he’s looking to make a move to that area and wants to be in the northeast.Would seem like a huge surprise hire to everyone, but why not if they can splurge and make him happy financially?It would be another awesome step forward for the conference, so I’m all for it.
Kim English, btw
He has one sweet sixteen in 12 years. Sorry but that’s not that great. If Shaka has one sweet sixteen after 12 years we’d be calling for his head. Thankfully I think he’ll have plenty but people acting like Cooley is Phil Jackson
He’s also had more success than any other Providence coach. He hasn’t been to a Final Four but the sustained winning of his tenure hasn’t been something they’ve had in the modern era.I’m always torn on him. I think he’s done great work at Providence but you’re right, they haven’t taken a next step.
Personally, I always thought that where he got them was basically their ceiling.
Kim English might end up doing well, but that would he an uninspiring hire. Two mediocre years at George Mason. His assistant track record is 2 years at Tulsa, 2 at Colorado, and 2 at Tennessee. Always climbing the ladder but not sticking around very long.That track record looks very risky. He either fizzles out at Providence or moves on to a better job in 4-5 years.
Keno Davis?
Keno Davis would be a good example of fizzling out.Rick Barnes would be a good example of parlaying modest success into a new job. 3 NCAA appearances in 6 years, zero tourney wins, left Providence for Clemson.While researching Barnes' history, I discovered that he coached one year at George Mason before being hired at Providence. So, not only did Kim English coach 2 years under Barnes, he might mimic Barnes going to George Mason for a brief stay and then to Providence.
Scoop favorite Pete Gillen also did a stint at Providence. Interestingly, he left Xavier to take the job--I think today it would be more likely that a move in the opposite direction would be the career upgrade.
I view Cooley's track record and move to GU as very comparable to Willard and his move to Maryland. I don't remember everyone getting so worked up about the Willard hire though. I guess it's different given the Cooley's roots and the intra-conference move.
Of course it's the fact that he moved to a conference rival. But not only that, it appears this was in the works while the team was both struggling down the stretch and trying to win games both in the BET and NCAA Tournament. Their fans have every right to loathe him.