A brand-new age is underway at Providence College, and based on the turnout at Kim English’s initial press conference, Friartown is beyond firedup for what the future holds.
Over 1,000 individuals, consistingof fans, coaches, athletic administration members, as well as previous and existing gamers jam-packed Alumni Hall’s Mullaney Gym, as the 34-year-old English was presented as the 16th head coach in Providence guys’s basketball history on Wednesday.
“That gym looked like that for a press conference … not a videogame, not Midnight Madness, not a skirmish, however a press conference,” English stated. “The appetite of these fans … it’s something like I’ve neverever seen.”
English, who invested the past 2 seasons as George Mason’s head coach and is fresh off leading the program to its veryfirst 20-win season in 6 years, signedupwith FOX Sports college basketball pressreporter John Fanta to goover his brand-new function and the chance that lies ahead.
“Coach Cooley left an extraordinary structure here, and I’m truly appreciative to be strolling into this circumstance,” English stated. “I’m at a loss for words for how great of an chance this is at a location that I believe is simply truly, truly unique.”
Providence had its sights set on English soon after previous head coach Ed Cooley left for Georgetown after 12 seasons. The 2 sides came to an arrangement last week, as previous Providence and existing Tennessee coach Rick Barnes assisted push the choice forward, playing a secret function in the hire.
[Exclusive: Ed Cooley on why he left Providence for Georgetown]
English has a strong relationship with Barnes, serving as an assistant coach under him at Tennessee from 2019-21.
“He’s constantly talked about Providence and has constantly talked about how unique his time was here,” English stated of Barnes. “He’s a terrific coach. Our relationship actually grew close when I was in Knoxville, and it’s continued.”
Among English’s initially order of service is hiring, which consistsof convincing existing Providence gamers to stay with the program.
English took to social media Tuesday, publishing an Instagram Live video of himself and present Friars guard Jayden Pierre — who revealed his choice to getin the transfer website on Tuesday — playing individually at the group’s practice center. According to the post, English made a bet with Pierre that if he beat the freshman guard, Pierre has to stay and eliminate his name from the website.
Pierre accepted the difficulty and lost, much to English’s pleasure.
“One-on-one for the portal, and I won,” English stated in the Instagram Live video recording. “I desire him to stay at Providence.”
Pierre isn’t the just gamer English hasactually been recruiting to signupwith him at Providence. In his veryfirst week on the task, he has currently protected dedications from Justyn Fernandez and Josh Oduro, who will follow him to Providence from George Mason.
Oduro led the Patriots in both scoring and rebounding this past season, putting up 15.6 points and 7.9 boards per videogame. Meanwhile, Fernandez played a essential function for the group off the bench as a real freshman, balancing 4.1 points in 14.1 minutes per videogame.
In addition to including Fernandez and Oduro, Providence guards Alyn Breed and Corey Floyd Jr. both validated they strategy to stay with the program, while numerous other gamers are presently choosing on their future strategies.
“I love their durability, and I love their competitiveness,” English stated of the gamers he hasactually been able to keep. “I think there’s a actually excellent edge about those men.”
English is ecstatic about what lies ahead for this Providence program, and left Wednesday’s initial press conference sensation the love and assistance from Friar country.
“Kentucky fans are excellent. Kansas fans are fantastic. Everyone understands that though,” English stated “I didn’t understand at all, to this level, how invested Providence fans are in this school and in this basketball group. It truly makes me desire to do it for them.”
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