Providence AD Steve Napolillo scorned by Georgetown hiring Ed Cooley

today

Explore More

The feistiest rivalry in the Big East isn’t even on the basketball court.

Providence athletic director Steve Napolillo went scorched earth against Georgetown’s AD Lee Reed in the aftermath of basketball coach Ed Cooley bolting from the Friars to the Hoyas this week.

“College athletics is really at a crossroads because we talk about educating our student-athletes, and that all goes out the door on a lot of things,” Napolillo told ABC6’s Ian Steele in Rhode Island.

“And for me at Providence College, to be in a room with my fellow colleagues where I felt a bond, where I felt a trust, where I felt that the athletic director was a mentor to me and a friend. If I wasn’t ready and saw smoke signs, this could be a lot different conversation. So that’s where for me, when I talk to people, I understand the business, but I really thought that at the Big East, we had something different.”

Cooley was introduced at a press conference on Wednesday afternoon The Washington Post via Getty Im

Cooley, who was born and raised in Rhode Island, spent 12 years as the Friars’ head coach — making six NCAA tournaments in that span.

The Providence faithful have been enraged by the fact that Cooley left for a program that is within its own conference, making the 53-year-old an instant enemy.

Cooley replaced Patrick Ewing, who had a disastrous six years leading his alma mater.

Steve Napolillo:

"I thought the AD at Georgetown was a mentor to me and a friend."

"I understand the business, but I thought, at the Big East, we had something different."

"We had respect. We had integrity."

"That's been completely thrown out the door."@ABC6 #PCBB #GoFriars pic.twitter.com/94fPmklNaU

— Ian Steele (@IanSteeleABC6) March 23, 2023

Ewing went out 75-109 overall, reaching one NCAA tournament in 2020 and going 13-50 over his final two seasons.

“He has a proven record of success,” Reed said of Cooley at the new coach’s introductory press conference. “We knew we needed a leader, someone who understood our identity and could reimagine Georgetown basketball to fit today’s unique basketball landscape.”

Napolillo swiftly hired George Mason’s coach Kim English to replace Cooley.

New Georgetown Hoyas Ed Cooley (center) poses with Athletic Director Lee Reed (left) and school president John J. DeGioia after being named new head coach. Getty Images
The Friars lost to Kentucky in the first round of the NCAA tournament this year NCAA Photos via Getty Images

It’s safe to say that Napolillo will have the Hoyas matchup circled on his calendar for next season.

“So when we got in that room, we looked at each other as colleagues, we had respect, we had integrity and that we treated it a different way. Now that’s been completely thrown out the door,” Napolillo said.

ncG1vNJzZmimqaW8tMCNnKamZ2Jlf3R7j2xma2xfpb%2BwwsidnKeblWKupXnSrZyvnV2jrrG7y6KjpaddqLCwvs2em2aaqWK0prvRoJytp6ejeqm10aKloGWVmXqku86lnLJn