Georgetown needs a course-correction. And that’s why they’ve brought in Ed Cooley to help lead the way. Cooley has proven himself to be one of the top collegiate basketball coaches during his time at Providence. Since joining the Friars in 2011, he has consistently motivated his team to exceed expectations. But the question remains, is he worth his money?

While it was assumed that Cooley would retire at Providence, he surprised many by accepting the opportunity. This move is seen as a significant step forward for Cooley and the Big East, as it strengthens Georgetown’s program while weakening an intra-conference rival.

Ed Cooley needs a change

Thanks to his connections with late John Thompson Jr., the famed Georgetown coach, Cooley became the front-runner very fast. He left Providence for Georgetown with a $6 million deal per year. His decorated career only vindicates this lucrative deal.

Cooley’s first head coaching position was at Fairfield University from 2006 to 2011, where he led the team to a 92-69 record in five seasons. Since returning to Rhode Island, Cooley has had remarkable success as a coach. In his twelve seasons with the Friars, they finished with a record of 242-153, made seven NCAA Tournament appearances, and achieved a seventh-place ranking in the country twice.

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Cooley’s decision to leave his hometown and join a program he believes he can improve represents a major shift for him. However, some view Cooley’s move as a betrayal, labeling him a traitor for coaching Georgetown after previously coaching Providence. People are eager to find deeper reasons and symbolism behind his decision.

An era of expected reforms in Georgetown

Georgetown has only made it to the NCAA Tournament once in the last seven years. The Hoyas haven’t finished on top of the Big East since 2014-15. Clearly, a change is needed. And Georgetown is hopeful that Cooley’s track record and personality can help them reclaim their Big East title.

During his 12-year tenure at Providence, Cooley led the team to victory in the Big East Conference tournament in 2014.

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The hiring of Cooley represents a significant victory for the Georgetown program, which has had difficulty turning things around.