Providence extends Kim English’s contract by six years.

Providence’s basketball program announced that head coach Kim English has signed a six-year contract extension.

After a 21-14 season, President Fr. Kenneth Sicard and VP and Athletic Director Steve Napolillo decided to offer English a long-term contract. The Friars advanced to the NIT but lost in the first round.

However, English has gained stability in the program.

“I’m very thankful to Father Sicard and Steve Napolillo for extending and deepening our connection to each other and the College,” English said in a statement. “I am deeply committed to our student athletes as well as the entire Friartown community. 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.”

Winning 21 games in his first season continued English’s rise as a coach. He went 34-29 in two seasons at George Mason before he was hired prior to this season.

“Coach English has done an outstanding job leading our men’s basketball team in his inaugural year,” Father Sicard said. “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.”

Moving forward, English and his team expect Providence to continue to grow and regain prominence as a northeast force.

“I have always felt that Coach English is a perfect fit for Providence College,” he stated. “Watching Kim during his first season as head coach at Providence College, it became clear that we have the right coach to lead our program.” His ability to lead and instruct our student athletes is exceptional. I am thrilled that we are able to reinforce our commitment to Kim and his staff with this contract extension, and I look forward to competing for BIG EAST Championships in the future.”

English started his coaching career in 2015 following his pro career in the NBA and overseas. He was an assistant at Tulsa, Colorado and Tennessee before landing his first head coaching gig.

The former Missouri star was a second round draft pick by the Detroit Pistons in the 2012 NBA Draft.