Providence College is expected to fire men’s basketball coach Kim English when the Friars’ season concludes, a source familiar with the decision confirmed. The team, currently 14-16 overall and 7-12 in Big East play, finishes its regular season Saturday against Georgetown, with the Big East tournament set to begin next week in New York.
English’s tenure at Providence has been marked by uneven results. Following a 78-56 loss to Marquette on Wednesday, his record dropped to 47-50 overall and 23-36 in conference play. The Friars are currently seventh in the Big East and on course to miss the NCAA Tournament for the third straight year.
Napolillo Confirms English Will Finish Season Before Coaching Performance Evaluation Begins
Providence athletic director Steve Napolillo released a statement emphasizing that English remains the coach through the season’s end and that evaluations will take place afterward. English, 37, joined Providence in 2023 after two seasons at George Mason, where he compiled a 34-29 record without reaching the NCAA Tournament.
Providence Set to Part Ways With Kim English After Struggling Five-Year TenureEnglish’s first season with Providence was promising; he led the team to 21 wins, an NIT appearance, and coached Devin Carter to Big East Player of the Year honors. However, the momentum quickly faded as Providence went 12-20 last season and has struggled to return to NCAA Tournament contention.
Pressure mounted due to the program’s history under former coach Ed Cooley, who took Providence to seven NCAA Tournaments in nine seasons, setting high expectations for English’s tenure. Promising freshman Jamier Jones was expected to bolster the roster, but results have fallen short amid a top-heavy Big East. English’s five-year head coaching record now stands at 81-79 (.506).
Providence Targets Six Promising Candidates To Rebuild Men’s Basketball Program Competitively
With English’s likely departure, Providence has begun evaluating potential replacements. Six candidates are drawing attention. Joe Gallo of Merrimack has led his team to a 21-win season and the MAAC regular-season title. Bryan Hodgson of South Florida, a Nate Oats protégé, has the Bulls 21-8 and is a rising star in the high-major coaching ranks.
Porter Moser, currently at Oklahoma, brings NCAA Tournament experience and a Final Four appearance with Loyola Chicago. Luke Murray, assistant at UConn, is known for his offensive expertise, though the timing of Providence’s vacancy may complicate a potential hire. Josh Schertz of Saint Louis, ranked in the AP Top 25, is having a standout season with a 27-3 record, while Travis Steele of Miami (Ohio) boasts an undefeated season and prior Big East experience at Xavier.
Providence’s decision marks the end of a short but challenging chapter under English and signals a search for a coach capable of restoring the program’s NCAA relevance and maintaining competitiveness in the Big East.
