UPDATED: PC Basketball's Cooley Reportedly Met With Michigan Monday for Coaching Job

GoLocalProv Sports Team

UPDATED: PC Basketball's Cooley Reportedly Met With Michigan Monday for Coaching Job

Ed Cooley PHOTO: PC Athletics
Providence College basketball head coach Ed Cooley is one of three top candidates for the University of Michigan job and reportedly interviewed for the job yesterday.

Cooley, a Providence native has helped to rebuild the Friar program and put the team back in the national spotlight. According to USA Today, Colley earns $2.6 million annually at Providence.

Jeff Goodman of the Stadium reports that Michigan Assistant Coach Luke Yaklich interviewed for the position last Friday, Cooley was expected to have interviewed on Monday, and athletic director Warde Manuel is set to meet with former Michigan great and NBA assistant coach Juwan Howard on Tuesday. 

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According to CBS’ Jon Rothstein, “Cooley will meet with Michigan Athletic Director Warde Manuel early this week about the Wolverines head coaching vacancy. Has emerged as a primary candidate for the job along with Miami Heat assistant Juwan Howard.”

 

Juwan Howard and Fab Five Factor

The potential good news for PC fans is that there is a movement among some Michigan grads to push Howard. 

"Former Michigan players spanning from Jake Long to Jamal Crawford, and of course, Howard’s former Fab Five teammates Jalen Rose and Chris Webber, have been voiced their support to bring the Chicago native back to Ann Arbor," reports Jay Sarkar of SB Nation.

“I think Juwan Howard is obviously one of the best candidates for the Michigan job. I think his pedigree speaks for itself," Jimmy King told the Detroit Free Press. "I think his experience in high school being an All-American, be an All-American in college at his alma mater at the University of Michigan matters. And being a champion at the pro level and being a coach over the past few seasons speaks for his pedigree.

"I think he’s one of the best candidates the university can have,” added King.

Howard's son Joshua play for Brown University and will be a senior in the 2019-2020 season.

Michigan is looking for a new head coach after John Beilein left the program for the NBA’s Cleveland Cavaliers.

According to Nick Baumgardner of the Detroit Free Press, Michigan could make a decision this week. 

 

Cooley and Providence

“Ed Cooley loves Providence and Rhode Island, but knows that Michigan holds a certain level of cache in college basketball circles,” added Rothstein.

Cooley has been at Providence since 2011 and has led the program to five NCAA Tournament appearances in eight seasons and a Big East Championship title.

This past season, Providence went 18-16 overall and 7-11 in the Big East.

The Friars made it to the NIT where they lost in the first round to Arkansas at the Dunkin’ Donuts Center.

In eight seasons at Providence, he has led the program to a 162-110 record.

GoLocalProv named Cooley Man of the Year in 2018.

PC signed Ed Cooley to a long term extension in 2016.

"Providence has always been my destination. Father Shanley and Bob Driscoll have made a tremendous commitment to compete at the highest level and I appreciate all their support. Nurys and I wanted to acknowledge this support and appreciate Providence College by giving back. We are excited that we will be a Providence College for life," said Ed Cooley in a statement at the time.

Cooley is a Providence native and attended Central High School where he earned two Rhode Island High School Player of the Year honors before attending Stonehill. 


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