2026 Coaching Carousel

[Billy Hoyle]

I actually think he would be a great fit there. ASU shows a significant amount of ambition compared to SLU. Additionally, St. Louis is just a disgusting place to live, raise a family etc. I think anyone with half a brain would jump at the opportunity to go to one of our nations most esteemed universities in Arizona State.

[BM1090]

Don't get me wrong, Kim English very much should be fired.  I was also very skeptical of his hiring in the first place.

But Richard Pitino made only 2 NCAA tournaments in 8 years at Minnesota.  He's made a grand total of 4 NCAA tournaments in 13 (soon to be 14) years as a head coach.

Do you think that is what Providence should aspire to?

Aspire to be? No. But considering what Minnesota has always been and especially what they've been since he left, I think he did a pretty good job there. Gave New Mexico their first success since Steve Alford too.

If they think he's a guy that's had success despite bad coaching situations, I could see them making an offer. And I think he could have success similar to what Cooley had there.

[The Equalizer]

But would Providence highly consider Little Richard?  Fire a coach that's currently 5-11 in the Big East and replace him with another coach who is 5-11 in the BE. Genius!

His dad did okay as the coach of Providence.

[Hards Alumni]

His dad did okay as the coach of Providence.

Is the implication here that this is relevant?

[The Sultan]

His dad did okay as the coach of Providence.

I guess we should hire Allie!!!

[Nukem2]

I guess we should hire 

nm

[Jay Bee]

His dad did okay as the coach of Providence.

They are very different people. I would be shocked if Richard ever pulled a Porcini.

[JWags85]

Aspire to be? No. But considering what Minnesota has always been and especially what they've been since he left, I think he did a pretty good job there. Gave New Mexico their first success since Steve Alford too.

If they think he's a guy that's had success despite bad coaching situations, I could see them making an offer. And I think he could have success similar to what Cooley had there.

Exactly.  Was he good at Minnesota?  Not really, but Minnesota has a whopping 5 NCAA appearances (and 2 first round wins) in the 25+ years since Clem Haskins.  Dan Monson didn't win there, Tubby Smith didn't.  Pitino winning an NCAA game there basically makes him the 2nd most successful Gopher coach this millenium.

But his rebound at New Mexico is what made him qualified for Xavier and, more so, Providence.  It's not a perennial winner of a job which made what Alford did even more impressive initially.  Fraschilla didn't make NCAAs there, Ritchie McKay had a single good year there with Danny Granger and got fired shortly thereafter.  The 8 years after Alford left had a single 20+ win season (with Alford's players the year after) and Pitino inherited a program that won 6 games the year before.  Getting them to a 26 win team in the NCAAs as an at large 3 years later was a hell of a coaching job and the reason he was a hot name again despite the Minnesota stumbles.

[MU Fan in Connecticut]

Don't get me wrong, Kim English very much should be fired.  I was also very skeptical of his hiring in the first place.

But Richard Pitino made only 2 NCAA tournaments in 8 years at Minnesota.  He's made a grand total of 4 NCAA tournaments in 13 (soon to be 14) years as a head coach.

Do you think that is what Providence should aspire to?

If I heard correctly watching the XU - Providence game, Richard graduated from Providence and got his first basketball coaching job at Providence.

[Juan Anderson's Mixtape]

If I heard correctly watching the XU - Providence game, Richard graduated from Providence and got his first basketball coaching job at Providence.

I'm well aware of his ties to Providence.  Personally, I think the alumni factor is way overrated when it comes to hiring basketball coaches.

[The Sultan]

If I heard correctly watching the XU - Providence game, Richard graduated from Providence and got his first basketball coaching job at Providence.

He was the student manager. He never coached there.

[GoldenWarrior11]

What Big East head coaching positions do we think will open as of today?

I think Providence will be the only job that opens this cycle.  Everyone else returns next year.

[Hards Alumni]

What Big East head coaching positions do we think will open as of today?

I think Providence will be the only job that opens this cycle.  Everyone else returns next year.

Xavier, maybe Butler as well.  Don't count out Georgetown.

[Nukem2]

Butler, possibly Georgetown and Providence. Matta will probably be encouraged to retire or just do it on his own. English and Cooley seats are getting very warm, so we shall see. If Provdience opens up, Pitiino,Jr is a possibility as he is a Providence alum and was a team manager under Tim Walsh. So, Xavier a possibility as well.

[Its DJOver]

One, if Matta decides to walk away.  I just don't think PC will be eager to part with the money required to fire English and bring in Rick Jr.

[Pakuni]

Butler, possibly Georgetown and Providence. Matta will probably be encouraged to retire or just do it on his own. English and Cooley seats are getting very warm, so we shall see. If Provdience opens up, Pitiino,Jr is a possibility as he is a Providence alum and was a team manager under Tim Walsh. So, Xavier a possibility as well.

I doubt Cooley's seat is any hotter than Shaka's right now, much less very warm. Both will be warm next year if they have seasons similar to the ones they're having.

[Billy Hoyle]

I doubt Cooley's seat is any hotter than Shaka's right now, much less very warm. Both will be warm next year if they have seasons similar to the ones they're having.

I know of a P4 coach who is campaigning for the PC job that will come with no buyout. Unless Matta walks away he's back at Butler next year after reading an interview with their AD. There could be a succession plan set up.

This was on ESPN.com yesterday from Borzello regarding Cooley.

In reality, Ed Cooley is arguably the safest name on this list. He's only three years into a long-term contract that reportedly pays him nearly $6 million a season, and the Hoyas have poured plenty of resources into helping him be the coach to return them to their glory days. It hasn't gone well thus far, with Cooley entering the week with a 15-41 record in Big East play since taking over in the District. But he'll get at least another season to turn it around.

[Hards Alumni]

I doubt Cooley's seat is any hotter than Shaka's right now, much less very warm. Both will be warm next year if they have seasons similar to the ones they're having.

Cooley will be fired after next year without progress.

He's under .500 (.419) overall since he started, and just over .250 (.263) since he came in.

A total embarrassment, and I really wouldn't be surprised if he was sent packing after this season. 

[Hards Alumni]

People think too much about buyouts.  If a coach sucks for too long it can ruin your program very quickly.  Syracuse, Pitt, Stanford, Maryland, were perennial power houses but each has fallen on hard times after bad hires.  Georgetown is also right at the top of that list.

If a school is serious about hoops (or football) they're not keeping a guy around just because their contract is prohibitively expensive.  Money will always be found for a change.

[Billy Hoyle]

People think too much about buyouts.  If a coach sucks for too long it can ruin your program very quickly.  Syracuse, Pitt, Stanford, Maryland, were perennial power houses but each has fallen on hard times after bad hires.  Georgetown is also right at the top of that list.

If a school is serious about hoops (or football) they're not keeping a guy around just because their contract is prohibitively expensive.  Money will always be found for a change.

Stanford has not fallen on hard times under Kyle Smith.

As for the buyouts, in football, yes, but right now, many P4 in that middle level that you mentioned would rather have donors give an eight-figure amount to football NIL than to buy out a hoops coach. 

[Juan Anderson's Mixtape]

I know of a P4 coach who is campaigning for the PC job that will come with no buyout.

Porter Moser parachuting to Providence?

[MU82]

Porter Moser parachuting to Providence?

Better fit than Oklahoma, but there's really no reason to think that Moser would do serious winning at Providence, either.

[Scoop Snoop]

Better fit than Oklahoma, but there's really no reason to think that Moser would do serious winning at Providence, either.

Agree. I thought that he would be good at Oklahoma. Loyola was his high-water mark, and Sister Jean is no longer at courtside to guide him both in bball or to pray for divine intervention.