Georgetown is heavily pursuing Providence coach Ed Cooley to lead the Hoyas men’s basketball program, per multiple reports. ESPN’s Pete Thamel reports the two sides have had “positive conversations,” while Stadium’s Jeff Goodman says Cooley is “on verge” of leaving the Friars for the Hoyas.
Cooley, a Providence native, has been coaching the Friars since 2011 following five seasons at Fairfield. In 12 seasons at Providence, Cooley has led the team to seven NCAA tournament appearances, with a conference tournament title in 2014 and a regular-season title in 2022. In total, Cooley has a 242-153 record at Providence.
While Cooley is just coming off an NCAA tournament loss over the weekend, Goodman reports it would take a “last-minute change of heart” for him to not take the Hoyas job. According to CBS Sports’s Jon Rothstein, Cooley has put his Rhode Island house up for sale.
Georgetown is looking for a new coach to replace Patrick Ewing, who was fired after six seasons leading his alma mater. In that span, Ewing reached the NCAA tournament just once and compiled a 75-109 record, including 13-50 over the past two seasons.
If Cooley does end up at Georgetown, it will mean he remains in the Big East and has to play his former team twice per season.