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Providence College Athletics
Men's Basketball
Cooley, Ed
Ed Cooley
- Title:
- Head Coach
- Phone:
- (401) 865-2266
On March 22, 2011, Ed Cooley became the 15th head coach at Providence College. He came to Providence College after spending five seasons as the head coach at Fairfield University.
In 11 seasons at Providence College, Cooley has posted a 221-141 mark, which includes six trips to the NCAA Tournament, a berth in the Sweet 16 (2022), a BIG EAST Regular Season Title (2022) and a BIG EAST Tournament Title (2014). In 2022, he was named the recipient of the Naismith Coach of the Year, the Sporting News Coach of the Year, the BIG EAST Coach of the Year, the NABC District 5 Coach of the Year and the USBWA District 1 Coach of the Year. He is the only Friar head coach to be named the BIG EAST Coach of the Year.
In 16 seasons as a head coach, Cooley has a 313-210 record. When Cooley was hired in 2011, the Friars had finished under .500 in six of the 10 previous seasons and had been to just one NCAA Tournament (2004) in that 10-year span. Since his hiring, Cooley has led the Friars to eight post-season tournament berths (seven consecutive from 2013-19) (2019-20 there was no post-season due to the Covid-19 pandemic), including a school-record six NCAA Tournament appearances (2014-18 and 2022). In 2022, he guided the team to the NCAA Sweet 16 and the program's first BIG EAST regular season title. In 2014, he led the team to the BIG EAST Tournament title.
Cooley reached new heights in 2021-22. His team registered a 27-6 mark to log the second most wins in team history. The team also recorded a program best 14-3 BIG EAST record and captured its first-ever BIG EAST Regular Season Title despite being picked seventh in the Preseason Coaches' Poll. The squad also earned the top seed in the history of the program when it was selected as a 4 seed for the NCAA Tournament. The Friars posted wins in the First and Second Rounds of the NCAA Tournament to advance to the Sweet 16 for the first time in 25 years (1997) and the sixth time in the history of the program. Graduate student Nate Watson and junior Jared Bynum earned Second Team All-BIG EAST honors. Bynum also became the first Friar to recieve the BIG EAST 6th Man Award.
The 2020-21 squad posted a 13-13 mark and a 9-10 record in BIG EAST play. The team was led by Nate Watson and David Duke. Both players earned Second Team All-BIG EAST accolades. Duke also was named Associated Press Honorable Mention All-America.
In 2019-20, the Friars had the best mid-season improvement of any Division I team as the squad improved from 6-6 to finish the year with a 19-12 mark - a NET ranking improvement of 119 spots (156 to 37). The team posted a 12-6 record in BIG EAST action and finished in fourth place. The 12 league wins was the most ever by a Friar squad. In addition, the Friars defeated every BIG EAST team at least once - another first for the program. The Friars finished the season winning six consecutive games and eight of the last 10. Five of those wins occurred in February over ranked teams, which marked just the fifth time in the history of college basketball that a team posted five wins over ranked squads in a calendar month during the regular season.
In August of 2019, Cooley served as the Head Coach of Team USA at the Pan Am Games in Lima, Peru. His squad was a group of BIG EAST All-Stars, including Alpha Diallo, Nate Watson, David Duke and AJ Reeves. Despite having the youngest team at the tournament, Cooley led the squad to a Bronze Medal.
In 2018-19, Providence advanced to its seventh consecutive post season when the Friars were selected to the NIT as a four seed. It marked the first time that PC advanced to seven straight post-seasons since Dave Gavitt's Friars accomplished the feat from 1971-78. The 2019 Friars finished the season with an 18-16 mark.
The 2017-18 season, proved to be another successful season for the Friars under Cooley as the squad made its team record fifth consecutive appearance in the NCAA Tournament and produced another season with 20 or more wins (21-14). It marked the first time the Friars recorded five consecutive seasons with 20 or more wins since 1974-78. Providence finished tied for third in league standings with a 10-8 mark. The team had another strong performance at the BIG EAST Tournament, advancing to the championship game where the squad nearly knocked off eventual national champion Villanova before losing in overtime. One of the highlights for the squad was earning three wins over top-5 ranked teams. It marked the first time ever that the Friars accomplished that feat.
In 2016-17, the Friars were picked ninth in the Preseason BIG EAST Coaches' Poll after losing stars Kris Dunn and Ben Bentil to the NBA Draft. However, the Friars finished the year with a 10-8 mark in league play and in third place in the conference standings. To achieve that mark, the team overcame a 4-8 record in early February and won its final six BIG EAST Conference games to earn the third place finish. The Friars also posted a 20-13 record overall and earned an at-large berth to the squad's fourth consecutive NCAA Tournament. In recognition of his efforts, Cooley was named NABC District 5 Coach of the Year.
Juniors Kyron Cartwright and Rodney Bullock were named 2017 Second Team All-BIG EAST. In addition, Cartwright became the third player in six seasons under Cooley to earn BIG EAST Most Improved accolades.
During his time at Providence, Cooley has coached five All-Americans. He also has had players earn two BIG EAST Player of Year honors, two BIG EAST Defensive Player of the Year accolades, three BIG EAST Most Improved Player awards, one BIG EAST Tournament MVP, five BIG EAST All-Tournament Team accolades, two BIG EAST All-Rookie Team awards, one BIG EAST Sportsmanship honor and 10 All-BIG EAST honors.
In 2016, Cooley led the Friars to a 24-11 mark and a 10-8 record (fourth) in the BIG EAST. After finishing fourth in league standings for the third straight season, Providence advanced to the BIG EAST Semifinals for the third-consecutive year, which has only occurred one other time in the history of Friar basketball. Most importantly, the Friars earned their third-consecutive berth in the NCAA Tournament, where the team registered a 1-1 mark, which included a First Round win over Southern California. It marked just the third time in the history of Friar basketball that the team reached the NCAA Tournament in three consecutive seasons. The squad also recorded 24 wins, which is the most since the 1996-97 season. With 24 wins, the Friars posted their third-consecutive season with 20 or more victories. Another milestone for the Friars was that they finished the regular season with 22 wins, which was the most since 1978 and just the sixth team all-time at PC to accomplish the feat. Cooley's Friars also were ranked for 13 weeks during the season, including a No. 8 national ranking on January 4. It marked the Friars' highest ranking in the Associated Press Poll since March 1, 1977 when the team was ranked No. 8.
Two of Cooley's players earned significant honors in 2015-16 and were both drafted as junior guard Kris Dunn and sophomore Ben Bentil earned All-BIG EAST accolades. Dunn also earned his second-consecutive BIG EAST Player of the Year and Defensive Player of the Year honors. He also earned numerous All-America accolades and was named a Consensus All-American. Bentil became the seventh Friar all-time and the third under Cooley to lead the BIG EAST in scoring, averaging 22.9 points per game. For his efforts, he was named BIG EAST Most Improved Player - the second time a Friar has received the honor in Cooley's five seasons at Providence.
Dunn was the fifth pick overall by the Minnesota Timberwolves and became the fourth highest Friar drafted all-time in the history of the NBA. Bentil was selected 51st overall in the second round by the Boston Celtics.
In 2015, the Friars were picked fifth in the Preseason BIG EAST Coaches Poll. The team exceeded expectations when the squad placed fourth with an 11-7 record. It marked just the third time ever and the first time since 2004 that the Friars registered 11 conference wins. Overall, the squad posted a 22-12 mark and advanced to the NCAA Tournament in consecutive seasons for the first time since the 1988-89 and 1989-90 seasons. The team also posted its second consecutive season with 20 or more wins for the first time since 1992-93 and 1993-94 seasons.
Senior LaDontae Henton and sophomore Kris Dunn paced the Friars in 2015. Both players earned First Team All-BIG EAST honors and Associated Press Honorable Mention All-America accolades. Dunn, who led the BIG EAST in assists, ranked third in the nation in assists and fifth in the nation in steals. He was named the 2015 BIG EAST Player of the Year and he also earned BIG EAST Defensive Player of the Year accolades. Dunn became the first guard in the history of the league to win both honors in the same year. Henton, who led the BIG EAST in scoring in 2015 (20.1 ppg), finished his career ranked second all-time in scoring at Providence (2,059 points) and fifth all-time in rebounding (1,054). He is just the second player ever at Providence to score more than 2,000 points and grab more than 1,000 rebounds.
Cooley's 2014 team was picked to finish sixth in the Preseason BIG EAST Coaches Poll, but overcame losses of personnel during the season to finish 10-8 and fourth overall. The Friars went on a run in the league tournament, posting three straight wins, including a thrilling 65-58 victory over No. 14 Creighton in title game. With the win, the Friars earned the league's automatic berth in the NCAA Tournament and made their first trip to the Tournament since 2004.
His 2014 squad was led by senior All-American Bryce Cotton. Cotton had an amazing senior season in which he led the BIG EAST in assists (5.8) and finished second in scoring (21.8). He also led the nation in minutes played (39.9). He earned BIG EAST Tournament Most Outstanding Player honors and garnered his second consecutive First Team All-BIG EAST accolade. He finished his career ranked fifth overall in scoring at Providence with 1,975 points. His teammate, senior Kadeem Batts (Boston, Mass.) also was recognized for his stellar play as he was named All-BIG EAST Second Team.
It did not take long for Cooley to turn the Friar fortunes around. In his second season, he led the Friars to a 19-15 record overall and a 9-9 mark in league play. Included in the 9-9 BIG EAST record in 2012-13 was a 7-2 mark over the last nine games of the conference season. That impressive record marked the second best turnaround over the second half of the season in BIG EAST history. He then guided the Friars to the NIT where the squad posted a 2-0 record before losing in the quarterfinals to eventual NIT Champion Baylor.
Leading the way for the Friars in the 2012-13 season were Cotton and Batts. Cotton was named All-BIG EAST First Team after he led the league in scoring. His teammate, Batts was recognized as a co-winner of the league's Most Improved Award and earned All-BIG EAST Honorable Mention accolades.
In his first season at Providence, Cooley led the Friars to a 15-17 mark overall. The team posted an impressive 11-3 mark in non-conference action, which included an 8-0 record at home. In league action, the Friars defeated No. 14/15 Louisville, 90-59. The 31-point win marked the Friars' largest margin of victory ever over a ranked team.
Two of Cooley's players earned BIG EAST honors in his first season. Point guard Vincent Council was named All-BIG EAST Third Team and one of his first recruits, forward LaDontae Henton, earned BIG EAST All-Rookie Team accolades.
In addition to coaching the Pan Am Games team in 2019, Cooley has extensive experience with USA Basketball. In 2013, he served as a court coach during the USA U19 Training Camp for the World Championships. In 2014, Cooley served as an assistant coach for the USA U18 Team which captured a Gold Medal at the FIBA Americas Championship. He was an assistant coach for the USA U19 Team at the World Championships in Greece in 2015. Cooley helped the team win a Gold Medal, his second in as many years.
Prior to coming to Providence, Cooley guided Fairfield to a school-record 25 wins and a Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference regular season title in 2010-11. He was named the 2011 MAAC Coach of the Year. He also earned United States Basketball Writers Association (USBWA) District I Coach of the Year honors. His 2011 squad finished the season with a 25-8 mark (15-3 MAAC) and advanced to the second round of the NIT.
In five seasons at Fairfield, Cooley's teams posted a 92-69 mark, including a 58-32 record in MAAC action. Cooley became the first Fairfield head coach to guide the team to a .500 or better mark in MAAC action in each of his first five seasons. In 2009-10, he led the Stags to a 23-11 mark and the team's first post-season berth since 2003. For his efforts in 2010, Cooley was the first recipient of the Ben Jobe Award, presented annually to the top minority men's basketball coach in the nation. Prior to taking the Fairfield position, Cooley spent 10 seasons as an assistant coach for Al Skinner. He coached for one season at Rhode Island under Skinner (1996-97) and nine seasons as an assistant at Boston College (1997-06), where the Eagles posted a 175-108 mark and advanced to five NCAA Tournaments and one NIT. Cooley also helped lead the Eagles to the 2001 BIG EAST Tournament title and three BIG EAST regular season titles (2001, 2003 and 2005). In 2004-05, Boston College started the season with a school-record 20 consecutive wins. In 2005-06, the Eagles advanced to the Atlantic Coast Conference championship game against Duke. At BC, Cooley was instrumental in the recruitment of Troy Bell, a two-time BIG EAST Player of the Year. Bell also went on to play professional basketball after leaving Boston College, which included a stint in the NBA with the Memphis Grizzlies.
A 1994 graduate of Stonehill College, he was a three-time captain for the basketball team and was inducted into its Athletic Hall of Fame in 2019. Cooley began his coaching career at UMass-Dartmouth. He helped lead UMass-Dartmouth to a 25-4 mark and a No. 3 national ranking (1994-95). He returned to his alma mater, Stonehill, and served as an assistant coach for one season (1995-96) before joining Skinner's staff at URI. Cooley, a native of Providence, attended Central High School and earned two Rhode Island High School Player of the Year honors. He also did a post-graduate year (1988-89) at New Hampton Prep. before attending Stonehill. He and his wife, Nurys, have one daughter, Olivia, and one son, Isaiah.
Full Name: Ed CooleyDate of Birth: September 10, 1969
Place of Birth: Providence, R.I.
Family: Wife, Nurys; Daughter, Olivia; Son, Isaiah
High School: Central High School (R.I.) '88 New Hampton Prep. (N.H.) '89
College: Stonehill '94, Major - History
| Coaching Experience | Record | |
| 2011- | Head Coach, Providence College, NIT (2013, 2019), NCAA (2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2022) | 221-141 |
| 2019 | Head Coach, USA Basketball, Bronze Medal, Pan Am Games Team | |
| 2017 | Selection Committee, USA Basketball U19 Team | |
| 2015 | Assistant Coach, USA Basketball U19 Team Gold Medal, World Championship | |
| 2014 | Assistant Coach, USA Basketball U18 Team Gold Medal, FIBA America Championship | |
| 2013 | Court Coach, USA Basketball U19 Team Training Camp, FIBA World Championships | |
| 2006-11 | Head Coach, Fairfield University, NIT, CIT | 92-69 |
| 1997-06 | Assistant Coach, Boston College, NCAA five times | 175-108 |
| 1996-97 | Assistant Coach, Rhode Island, NCAA | 20-10 |
| 1995-96 | Assistant Coach, Stonehill College | 16-10 |
| 1994-195 | Assistant Coach, UMass-Dartmouth | 25-4 |
2022 - Naismith National Coach of the Year
BIG EAST Coach of the Year
Sporting News Coach of the Year
NABC District 5 Coach of the Year
USBWA District 1 Coach of the Year
2017 - NABC District 5 Coach of the Year
2014 - Rhode Island Coach of the Year
2011 - Metro Atlantic Athletic Conf. Coach of the Year
2011 - U.S. Basketball Writers District 1 Coach of the Year
2010 - Ben Jobe Award, National Coach of the Year
| Eleventh Year at PC: | 27-6/14-3 |
| Tenth Year at PC: | 13-13/9-10 |
| Ninth Year at PC: | 19-12/12-6 |
| Eighth Year at PC: | 18-16/7-11 |
| Seventh Year at PC: | 21-14/10-8 |
| Sixth Year at PC: | 20-13/10-8 |
| Fifth Year at PC: | 24-11/10-8 |
| Fourth Year at PC: | 22-12/11-7 |
| Third Year at PC: | 23-12/10-8 |
| Second Year at PC: | 19-15/9-9 |
| First Year at PC: | 15-17/4-14 |
| Overall at PC: | 221-141 |
| Overall at Fairfield: | 92-69 |
| 16-Year Career: | 313-210 |
| BIG EAST TOURNAMENT: | 9-9 |
| BIG EAST LEAGUE GAMES: | 106-92 |
| NON-LEAGUE GAMES AT PC: | 107-41 |
| NCAA TOURNAMENT: | 3-6 (2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2022) |
| NIT: | 4-4 (2011, 2013, 2019) |
2021-22 (27-6/14-3)... Squad was 27-6 and 14-3 in league play... Team posted second most wins all-time and most wins ever in league play... Team won the BIG EAST Regular Season title for first time... Team earned the highest seed ever as a 4 seed in NCAA Tournament... Team reached the NCAA Sweet 16 for first time since 1997 and sixth time all -time...Ed Cooley became the first Friar coach to be named Naismith Coach of the Year.... Ed Cooley became first Friar coach to earn the BIG EAST Coach of the Year.
2020-21 (13-13/9-10)... Team posted a 13-13 mark... Nate Watson and David Duke were named Second Team All-BIG EAST.
2019-20 (19-12/12-6)...Had the largest mid-season improvement of any Division I team - a NET ranking improvement of 119 spots (156-37)...The 12 league wins was the most ever by a Friar squad...Team defeated every BIG EAST squad at least once - another first for the program... Team finished the season winning six consecutive games and eight of the last 10...Five of the those wins occurred in February over ranked teams, which marked just the fifth time in the history of college basketball that a team posted five wins over ranked squads in a calendar month during the regular season.
2018-19 (18-16/7-11)... Team posted an 18-16 mark and advanced to the NIT for its seventh consecutive post-season bid.
2017-18 (21-14/10-8)... Team posted a 21-14 mark and advanced to the NCAA Tourney for a school-record fifth consecutive season...The team extended its streak of 20 or more wins to five consecutive seasons... It marked the first time the Friars recorded five consecutive seasons with 20 or more wins since 1974-78...Team advanced to the BIG EAST Championship game for second time under Ed Cooley...Squad finished tied for third in BIG EAST with a 10-8 mark...Team earned three wins over top-5 ranked teams for the first time ever.
2016-17 (20-13/10-8)... Team posted a 20-13 mark and advanced to the NCAA Tourney for a school-record fourth consecutive season...The team extended its streak of 20 or more wins to four consecutive seasons...The Friars finished third in the BIG EAST, with a record of 10-8 despite being picked 9th in the Preseason... Was named NABC District 5 Coach of the Year.2015-16 (24-11/10-8)... Team posted a 24-11 mark and advanced to the NCAA Tourney for their third consecutive season for just the third time in team history...The team won its first game in the NCAA tournament under Coach Cooley... The team extended its streak of 20 or more wins to three consecutive seasons...The Friars finished fourth in the BIG EAST, with a record of 10-8... Team reached BIG EAST Semifinals for the third straight season.
2014-15 (22-12/11-7)...Team posted a 22-12 mark and advanced to the NCAA Tourney in consecutive seasons for the first time since the 1988-89 and 1989-90 seasons...The team also posted its second consecutive season with 20 or more wins for the first time since 1992-93 and 1993-94 seasons...Friars finished fourth in BIG EAST with an 11-7 record which marked just the third time ever and first time since 2004 the team recorded 11 league wins.
2013-14 (23-12/10-8)... Team posted a 23-12 mark and earned most wins since 1997...Captured its second BIG EAST Tournament title and first since 1994...Advanced to the NCAA Tourney for 16th time overall and first since 2004 before losing to No. 6 seed North Carolina, 79-77...Posted a 10-8 mark in BIG EAST play and finished fourth...Most wins in BIG EAST since 2009.
2012-13 (19-15/9-9)... Team recorded a 19-15 record overall and a 9-9 mark in BIG EAST play...Team posted a 7-2 mark in the last nine league games, which was the second best turnaround over the second half of the season in conference history...The team posted a 2-1 mark in the NIT and advanced to the quarterfinals before being eliminated by eventual NIT Champion Baylor... Team earned its first post season win since 2003.
2011-12 (15-17/4-14)...Team recorded an 11-3 record in non-conference action, including an 8-0 mark at home...Squad defeated No. 14/15 Louisville, 90-59, which marked the team's largest margin of victory ever over a ranked squad.
2010-11 (25-8/15-3)...Team posted a school-record 25 wins overall and a record 15 victories in conference action...Captured the MAAC regular season title...Advanced to the NIT and posted a 1-1 mark...Named MAAC Coach of the Year...Earned USBWA District 1 Coach of the Year.
2009-10 (23-11/13-5)...Team's 23 wins were second highest in program's history...Became the first Fairfield coach to post a .500 or better record in MAAC action in each of his first four seasons...Team's 13 MAAC wins tied for tops all-time at Fairfield...Led the Stags to their first post-season win in more than 30 years...Team set an NCAA Div. 1 post-season record when it overcame a 27-point second half deficit to defeat George Mason in OT...Earned the Ben Jobe Award as the top minority men's basketball coach in the nation.
2008-09 (17-15/9-9)...Led the Stags to their first winning record since 2004...Team also finished tied for fourth in league play. 2007-08 (14-16/11-7)...Led the Stags to an 11-7 mark in MAAC action and a fifth-place finish...It marked the team's second straight winning record in conference action...Team posted a seven-game winning streak, the longest in 20 years (1986-87). 2006-07 (13-19/10-8)...Led the Stags to a 10-8 mark in MAAC action and a fifth-place finish in his first season as a head coach.
Ed Cooley Coaching Record:
| Year | School | Record | PCT | CONF. REC. | FINISH | TOUR. | POST SEASON |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006-07 | Fairfield | 13-19 | .406 | 10-8 (.556) | 5th-Tied | 0-1 | |
| 2007-08 | Fairfield | 14-16 | .467 | 11-7 (.611) | 5th-Tied | 0-1 | |
| 2008-09 | Fairfield | 17-15 | .531 | 9-9 (.500) | 4th-Tied | 1-1 | |
| 2009-10 | Fairfield | 23-11 | .676 | 13-5 (.722) | 2nd | 2-1 | CIT 1-1 |
| 2010-11 | Fairfield | 25-8 | .758 | 15-3 (.833) | 1st | 1-1 | NIT 1-1 |
| 2011-12 | Providence | 15-17 | .469 | 4-14 (.222) | 15th | 0-1 | |
| 2012-13 | Providence | 19-15 | .559 | 9-9 (.500) | 8th-Tied | 0-1 | NIT 2-1 |
| 2013-14 | Providence | 23-12 | .657 | 10-8 (.556) | 4th | 3-0: Champs | NCAA 0-1 |
| 2014-15 | Providence | 22-12 | .647 | 11-7 (.611) | 4th | 1-1 | NCAA 0-1 |
| 2015-16 | Providence | 24-11 | .686 | 10-8 (.556) | 4th | 1-1 | NCAA 1-1 |
| 2016-17 | Providence | 20-13 | .606 | 10-8 (.556) | 3rd-Tied | 0-1 | NCAA 0-1 |
| 2017-18 | Providence | 21-14 | .600 | 10-8 (.556) | 3rd-Tied | 2-1 | NCAA 0-1 |
| 2018-19 | Providence | 18-16 | .529 | 7-11 (.389) | 8th | 1-1 | NIT 0-1 |
| 2019-20 | Providence | 19-12 | .613 | 12-6 (.667) | 4th | *-- | *-- |
| 2020-21 | Providence | 13-13 | .500 | 9-10 (.474) | 6th | 0-1 | |
| 2021-22 | Providence | 27-6 | .818 | 14-3 (.824) | 1st | 1-1 | NCAA 2-1 |
| Career | 16 years | 313-210 | .598 | 164-125 (.567) | Two Titles | 13-14 One Title | 7-10 |
2018-2019 Men's Basketball Highlight Video
Saturday, April 13
