Big East program targeting rival head coach for vacancy

A huge coaching shakeup in the Big East Conference could occur if things shake out well enough for the Georgetown Hoyas.

The Hoyas, who fired Patrick Ewing earlier this week, reportedly have set their sights on a rival coach from within the conference. Georgetown’s major target is none other than Providence Friars head coach Ed Cooley.

On Friday night, SB Nation blog Casual Hoya tweeted an intriguing piece of news. “Best guess as of today based on what I have gathered from numerous sources: The next head coach of the Georgetown Hoyas will be Ed Cooley. Obviously a fluid situation, stay tuned,” they tweeted.

Best guess as of today based on what I have gathered from numerous sources:
The next head coach of the Georgetown Hoyas will be Ed Cooley. Obviously a fluid situation, stay tuned.

— Casual Hoya (@CasualHoya) March 10, 2023

Then, on Saturday, Stadium college hoops insider Jeff Goodman added more smoke to the fire.

“Georgetown will make a run at Providence coach Ed Cooley, source told @Stadium. No surprise, obviously. Sources say that Cooley will listen to the Hoyas offer,” Goodman reported.

Georgetown will make a run at Providence coach Ed Cooley, source told @Stadium.

No surprise, obviously.

Sources say that Cooley will listen to the Hoyas offer.

I'd still be surprised if Cooley actually makes that move within the league.

— Jeff Goodman (@GoodmanHoops) March 11, 2023

Goodman adds that he would be surprised if Ed Cooley makes that move within the Big East. It’s true that it would be surprising, of course. Cooley has become a legend in Providence after the Friars have accumulated strong levels of success in the ‘new’ Big East. You seldom will see coaches swap jobs within the same conference, so this would be an absolutely massive shakeup for the conference.

If you believe Casual Hoya, who has built up a great rapport, this may only signal the inevitable for Georgetown. Time will tell now to see what comes of this.

[Casual Hoya, Jeff Goodman]