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An 85-71 win against Saint Peter's, the Providence Friars secured their sixth win of the season. They now head into December basketball with must watch matchup against a Big 12 contender, Texas Tech. It wasn't just a dominant win for the Friars, it was also the 200th win for Head Coach Ed Cooley in his Providence career (bringing his career total record to 292-205).
His journey started back in '94, when he began teaching at Bridgewater-Raynham Region High. Cooley liked teaching, but he loved coaching. He got his start the same year, assistant coaching at UMass Dartmouth and eventually returning to his alma-matter, Stonehill. Two years later, he joined the staff of Al Skinner at URI, and then and Boston College slightly after. A few years and great experiences alongside Skinner, Fairfield gave Cooley a call, and he accepted his first time head coaching role in 2006.
Five seasons, 92 wins, a MAAC Championship, and a Coach of the Year nod, the opportunity arisen for Cooley to return back home to Rhode Island, and become the Head Coach of the Providence Friars.
Ed Cooley had humble beginnings when he grew up on the south side of Providence. Times were tough, but through family and basketball, Cooley found happiness. Over 20 years later, he returned to his hometown to become the head coach of the Providence Friars and establish a legacy of his own.
Coach Cooley joins the show (33:22 mark) this week to discuss his upbringing in the Creative Capital, his academic and athletic success at Stonehill, and his learnings from teaching high school history in Bridgewater. Cooley takes us through his early lessons as a head coach in Fairfield, building a program at Providence, recruiting, weight loss, and good eats around the 401.
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