5 Reasons Friars Fans Are Angry at Ed Cooley
Tuesday, March 21, 2023
When top-tier coaches leave successful programs for “greener” pastures, fans are always frustrated. But Ed Cooley’s departure has sparked tremendous disappointment from the Friar faithful in part for five critical reasons.
1) “Providence Is My Dream Job”
GET THE LATEST BREAKING NEWS HERE -- SIGN UP FOR GOLOCAL FREE DAILY EBLASTAs recently as this past weekend, Ed Cooley said Providence was his dream job. He twice boosted his salaries with “lifetime” contracts from Providence College.
And, as the 15th highest-paid head coach in Division I basketball, his salary was equal to coaches who had achieved greater success in the NCAA tournament.
Donors loved Cooley — and poured millions into the program.
Then PC was no longer "the dream."
In the press release announcing the Georgetown job, Cooley, said, "I was born and raised in the Providence College basketball program and am grateful to the college, its President Kenneth Sicard and its Athletic Director, Steve Napolillo, from whom I could not have received better support. I am blessed to have worked in this extraordinary conference with great players, coaches, athletic directors, and fans, and I look forward to my new opportunity."
2) Timeline Reset
When GoLocal unveiled on Monday morning that Cooley had been planning on selling his home for weeks, the timeline of what appeared to be Cooley's progression to becoming the new Georgetown coach was reset.
Cooley and his family were preparing to sell their home at the latest on March 3, but in all likelihood, weeks earlier — sometime in February — during the Friars' season.
3) Lost Season - Late Collapse
The unveiling of Cooley’s effort to sell his home provides a new perspective on the Friars' late-season collapse.
The Friars fell from second place in the Big East and the realistic potential of an undefeated home season to the team limping into the Big East tournament and the Big Dance.
The Friars were one and done in both tournaments.
4) Exodous
The impact of Cooley's departure has already cost the Friars one of its top recruits.
PC top four-star guard Garwey Dual, who committed to Providence last June, is reopening his recruitment.
He Tweeted, “Due to the changes in the [coaching] staff at Providence I will be decommiting and reopening my recruitment..forever and thankful for the support Friars!!”
Presently, it is unknown what other recruits may look to other programs and which of the current members of the team may enter the transfer portal.
5) Leaving for a Rival
Big East historians tell GoLocal that never before in the reconstituted Catholic school-dominated conference has one Big East poached a head basketball coach from another.
In Georgetown’s announcement, the administration did not address the issue.
"We are deeply honored that Coach Cooley will be joining our community as the next leader of our Men's basketball program. Ed is a proven leader and an experienced coach, whose values and knowledge of the game will lead our program into this new chapter. His commitment to excellence on and off the court will bring out the best of our basketball program and will give each member of our team the experiences and support they need to thrive. We look forward to welcoming Ed and his family into this new role in our community," said Georgetown University President John J. DeGioia.
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