Providence head coach Ed Cooley is 'expected' to accept Georgetown job

Providence’s season came to an end on Friday night with a loss to Kentucky in Greensboro. Now the Friars could have to conduct a coaching search for the first time since 2011.

Ed Cooley is likely taking another job in the Big East.

ESPN’s Jeff Borzello and Pete Thamel are reporting that Cooley will be headed to Georgetown. “The sides have been in deep discussions Monday, and a deal is expected to be finalized in the near future, per ESPN sources.”

Cooley just finished his 12th season at Providence and owns a 242-153 (.613) record with the Friars. The 53-year-old coach led his hometown school to seven NCAA Tournament berths with their first Sweet 16 appearance last year since 1997. The Friars won the Big East Tournament in 2014 and Big East regular season title in 2022.

Georgetown will be hoping that Cooley can bring the Big East program in the nation’s capital back to prominence. The Hoyas went 13-50 the last two seasons under alum Patrick Ewing with just one NCAA Tournament berth in the last seven seasons. John Thompson made this program a national powerhouse in the 1980s, but Georgetown has not finished with a winning record in conference play since 2015.

The expected hire with Cooley is a big one for Georgetown as a proud program with good resources will be looking to return to contention in the Big East.

What happens with Bryce Hopkins?

The postseason was a short one for Bryce Hopkins. The former top-50 recruit saw his first year with Providence end against his former team in the loss to Kentucky on Friday night. Could Hopkins look to enter the transfer portal again with Cooley moving on?

After receiving limited playing time at Kentucky, the combo forward emerged as one of the top players in the Big East as a sophomore. The 6-7 forward finished the season averaging 15.8 points, 8.5 rebounds, and 2.3 assists in 34.9 minutes per game. Hopkins started all 33 games for Providence shooting 47.4 percent from two, 36.4 percent from three, and 75.9 percent from the free throw line. Hopkins led the Big East in fouls drawn (5.0 every 40 minutes), was No. 2 in defensive rebound percentage (22.8%), and No. 3 in three-point field goal percentage (41.7%) during conference contests according to KenPom.

The transfer had a great season despite scoring only seven points on nine shots and being outplayed by Jacob Toppin in the loss to Kentucky. But will Hopkins be looking for a new home?

A waiver will be needed, but that situation hasn’t stopped other players from transferring. A logical landing spot could be Georgetown, but don’t sleep on Louisville. There is the Kenny Payne factor, but Hopkins was committed to the Cards before flipping to Kentucky during the fall of his senior season.

Kentucky could meet Hopkins on the court again next season.