It’s Final Four weekend, and there’s a lot of college basketball news from Providence College.
Firstly, the Friars extended Kim English’s contract.
PC President Fr. Kenneth Sicard, O.P., and Vice President/Athletics Director Steve Napolillo announced Friday that English has accepted to a six-year contract extension as head coach of the men’s basketball program.
“I’m very thankful to Father Sicard and Steve Napolillo for extending and deepening our connection with each other and the College,” stated Men’s Basketball Head Coach Kim English. “I am deeply committed to our student-athletes and the community of Freetown. This past season, we received incredible support from our fans, contributors, and the community, which is one of the many reasons I believe our program will succeed in the future. I am looking forward to the exciting times ahead as we prepare to compete for championships.”
Arthur Parks, PC’s senior assistant athletic director, declined to discuss the financial aspects of the agreement.
And, it is important to remember that Ed Cooley was working under a “lifetime contract” when he bolted for Georgetown University and tried to recruit both players and recruits to leave with him.
In his first season at Providence, English led the Friars to a 21-14 record and a 10-10 in Big East play. English became the first Friar head coach to win 20 games in his first season at PC. The Friars earned six quad-one victories and advanced to the NIT. Junior Devin Carter became just the second Friar ever to be named Big East Player of the Year, and Josh Oduro was named All-Big East Honorable Mention.
“Coach English has done an outstanding job leading our men’s basketball team in his inaugural year,” said Father Sicard. “Given the challenges from last season, he has shown an innate ability to inspire his players to persevere with confidence. We appreciate his commitment to our program, and we look forward to him doing so for many years to come.”
“I have always felt that Coach English is a perfect fit for Providence College,” said Napolillo. “Watching Kim during his first season as the head coach at Providence College, it became even more evident that we have the right coach to guide our program. His ability to lead and teach our student-athletes is special. I am excited that we are able to strengthen our commitment to Kim and his staff with this contract extension and look forward to competing for BIG EAST Championships moving forward.”
English, who is entering his second season at Providence, has posted a 55-43 mark in three seasons as a head coach. He has posted 20 or more victories in each of his last two seasons. Prior to coming to Providence in 2023, he spent two seasons as the head coach at George Mason.
Miami Transfer
Then, the Friars landed Bensley Joseph, a junior guard who played this season at the University of Miami. He entered the transfer portal last week and was widely recruited.
According to reports, St. John’s, Rutgers, and others were pursuing him. It is not known what his NIL deal is to play in Providence.
He is a 6-2 guard from Arlington, MA. He averaged 9.7 ppg and shot 37% from behind the 3-point line.
He gives the Friars a floor leader and, with returning Jayden Pierre and Cory Floyd, a solid backcourt for the 2024-25 season.
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