Side of the Rhode: Who’s Hot and Who’s Not - December 26, 2025
Analysis
Side of the Rhode: Who’s Hot and Who’s Not - December 26, 2025
We have expanded the list, and we are going to a GoLocal team approach while encouraging readers to suggest nominees for who is "HOT" and who is "NOT."
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Over the past 14-plus years, more than 7,400 have been tagged as HOT or NOT.
Email GoLocal by midday on Thursday about anyone you think should be tapped as "HOT" or "NOT." Email us HERE
Side of the Rhode: Who’s Hot and Who’s Not - December 26, 2025
HOT
Compassion
It is unusual for a rosary to begin with such a note, but these are unusual times — as Bishop Bruce A. Lewandowski, C.Ss.R., explained to the roughly 40 people gathered at the Donald W. Wyatt Detention Center in Central Falls on the afternoon of Monday, December 22.
“This will be a difficult Christmas for many members of our diocese,” the prelate explained. “It is a time for being together, but many are being kept from their families and will spend the holiday alone."
"So we’ve gathered as a faith community to do what faith communities do best: pray peacefully and intercede to Our Lord on behalf of our brothers and sisters.”
HOT
Rhode Island's NFL Head Coach
GoLocal's Robert McMahon, Sports Columnist, has a smart piece this week on the amazing rise of Rhode Islander Liam Coen, now the head coach of the Jacksonville Jaguars.
HOT
A Wonderful Christmas Column
Give credit to Tyler Rowley for striking the right tone in his holiday guest MINDSETTER™ column published in GoLocal on Christmas Day.
The Gospel According to Kevin is a thought-provoking look at a Hollywood classic.
HOT
Pope's Sermon
“If all of us, at every level, would stop accusing others and instead acknowledge our own faults, asking God for forgiveness, and if we would truly enter into the suffering of others and stand in solidarity with the weak and the oppressed, then the world would change,” Pope Leo said.
PHOTO: Edgar Beltran, The Pillar, CC: 4.0
NOT
Cicilline v. Rhode Islanders
The average full-time working Rhode Islander earns $65,164 annually.
David Cicilline, the head of the RI Foundation — the non-profit focused on improving the lives of Rhode Island's poor, makes $70,000 a month.
Cicilline wins.
HOT
A Must Read - What Went Wrong in Hunt for Brown Mass Shooter
EDITOR’S NOTE: GoLocal leveraged a vast array of contacts in federal, state, and local law enforcement during the week of the Brown mass shooting. As a result of those relationships, GoLocal was the first news organization to report the following.
- The detention of the first person of interest
- The release of the first person of interest
- The second piece of video of the suspect - more than 40 hours after the shooting
NOT
Coaches Cracking Under Pressure, Part I
Georgetown men’s head basketball coach Ed Cooley has been suspended one game after throwing a water bottle that hit a child following the Hoyas’ 80-77 loss to Xavier on Saturday. Cooley is a Providence native and served as the coach of Providence College prior to taking over the top job at Georgetown.
With less than five seconds to play and down three points, Georgetown had an opportunity to send the game to overtime but missed a three-pointer at the buzzer at the Capital One Arena in Washington, DC.
Georgetown Director of Intercollegiate Athletics Lee Reed issued the following statement:
"I met with Coach Cooley today to discuss the incident which occurred after last night's game against Xavier. I expressed that his conduct did not align with the standards we expect of our coaches, nor does it reflect the values of Georgetown Athletics or Georgetown University. As a result, Coach Cooley will be suspended for the next game vs. Coppin State. Associate Head Coach Jeff Battle will coach the team."
Head Coach Ed Cooley said, “I am deeply sorry for my actions during last night's game, and sincerely apologize to the Nyahkoon family, whom I have known for years and regard as my own family. My conduct was unacceptable and does not represent who I am or the leader I strive to be. I want to also apologize to the Georgetown community, team, fans, the league and my family. I take full responsibility for my actions and their consequences. I will learn from this experience to ensure it never happens again."
PHOTO: Fox screengrab
Coaches Cracking Under Pressure, Part II
Kim English, the coach of the Providence College Friars, had harsh words Friday night for the members of his team in the post-game press conference.
PC fell to Seton Hall Friday night at home, getting outscored 6-0 in the final 1:02 and losing 72-67 to drop 0-2 in the Big East.
His comments were focused on his players all wanting to "be the guy."
English said, “Very frustrating. And you know, and sometimes on a deep team, that's a reality because when there's not great separation amongst the ranks, everybody kind of feels like I can be the guy. You know, everybody, and there's not real acceptance, you know, if we're going offense, defense, don't be checking out of the game, looking up into the stands at your parents or whatever.”
“Be in the moment. Be in the game. Accept your role for this team. They have great role acceptance in Indianapolis [Butler] right now, in Newark [Seton Hall] right now. We don't have great role acceptance right now,” said English. PC has lost to both Butler and Seton Hall this season.
“You know, everyone wants to be the guy, and everyone wants to be the guy on offense. Where in this league, that ain't going to get it. That ain't going to get it,” added English.
PHOTO: PC
