PC Issues Statement on New Basketball Coach

PC Issues Statement on New Basketball Coach

Providence College President Fr. Kenneth R. Sicard, O.P., and Athletics Director Steve Napolillo issued a statement on the appointment of Bryan Hodgson as the head men's basketball coach at the College.

 

Hodgson, who becomes the 17th head coach at Providence College, comes to Providence after spending the 2025-26 season as the head coach at the University of South Florida.  In three seasons as a head coach, Hodgson has recorded a 70-37 mark (.654). Hodgson will be formally introduced at a press conference on Tuesday at 3 p.m. in the College's Mullaney Gymnasium at Alumni Hall.

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"We are thrilled to have Bryan Hodgson join Providence College as the leader of our men's basketball program," Sicard said. "Bryan brings a strong track record of leadership and a deep commitment to developing student-athletes both on and off the court. His dedication to integrity, hard work, and competitive excellence aligns closely with the values of Providence College. I am confident that the future is bright for Friar men's basketball, and I eagerly anticipate seeing the team reach new milestones under their new leader's guidance."

 

In the 2025-26 season as the head coach at USF, Hodgson was named the American Conference Coach of the Year after leading the team to a 25-9 mark. USF tied the team record for regular-season wins with 23 and set a team record with nine road victories. His Bulls' squad won the American regular-season title, captured the conference championship and earned an automatic berth in the NCAA Tournament. It marked the first time in the 55-year history of USF basketball that the team won the regular-season and conference tourney titles.  South Florida made its fourth NCAA Tournament appearance all-time in 2026 and its first since 2012. His players also earned a host of honors as Izaiyah Nelson became the first player in American Conference history to win Player of the Year, Defensive Player of the Year and Newcomer of the Year. Wes Enis and Joseph Pinion were named All-Conference.  

 

"We are very excited to welcome Bryan Hodgson and his family to Providence College," Providence College Athletics Director Steve Napolillo said. "Today we begin a new journey with Providence College men's basketball. It was my goal to find a head coach who would fit with our great athletic and academic institution. In addition, in this new revenue share/NIL landscape, I knew we needed a coach with the energy, passion and the skills to get us back to competing for championships and playing in the NCAA Tournament. Bryan has revived two Division 1 programs and it is our goal for him to bring new life into Friar men's basketball.  He has 18 years of college basketball coaching experience, including five as an assistant coach at the University of Alabama. Over the last three years, Bryan has successfully used analytics, his recruiting skills and coaching to win 70 games. Bryan is a winner and we need a winning culture at Providence College. We are looking forward to the start of a new era in Friartown as we enter the 100th year of Providence College men's basketball."

 

Prior to his arrival at USF, Hodgson got his first head coaching position at Arkansas State. He spent two seasons as head coach for the Red Wolves where he led them to two of the most successful seasons in program history, with back-to-back 20-win seasons. During the 2023-24 campaign, after inheriting a team that lost 20 games, he led Arkansas State's turnaround, which included its first postseason appearance since 1999. In 2024-25, the Red Wolves finished with a 25-11 record, the best in program history. The season featured a top-20 victory, saw the Red Wolves secure the Sun Belt Conference regular-season title, and marked their first National Invitation Tournament appearance in more than 30 years. Their offense was ranked one of the top-50 scoring offenses in the nation and led the conference at the end of the regular season, while their defense ranked second. Hodgson's recruiting classes ranked atop the Sun Belt Conference in both of his seasons at Arkansas State.  

 

"I'm incredibly honored and excited to be named the next head coach of the Providence Friars men's basketball program," Providence College Men's Basketball Head Coach Bryan Hodgson said. "This is a program with a proud tradition, passionate fan base, and a city that truly embraces its team. We're going to build something that reflects that pride. We will be tough, disciplined, and relentless in our pursuit of excellence."

 

Before Arkansas State, he served as an assistant under Nate Oats at Alabama from 2019 to 2023 and played a key role in landing top-15 recruiting classes each season.