NEW YORK — Kim English’s three-year stint coaching at Providence has concluded.
The athletic director, Steve Napolillo, disclosed English’s dismissal on Friday. This came the day after the Friars suffered an 85-72 defeat against No. 13 St. John’s in the Big East Tournament quarterfinals, ending their season with a 15-18 record.
“We extend our gratitude to Kim and his team for their contributions throughout the last three seasons guiding our men’s basketball squad,” Napolillo conveyed in a declaration. “We wish him and his loved ones nothing but success going forward.”
English amassed a cumulative record of 48-52, including a 23-37 standing within Big East competition.
“I am not someone prone to strong emotions. I seek no one’s compassion. Indeed, I dislike any form of commiseration,” English stated following the defeat by St. John’s. “I have never felt more immense pride while in the locker room than I did subsequent to this season.”
Under Ed Cooley’s leadership, Providence participated in the NCAA tournament on seven occasions over 12 years, even reaching the Sweet 16 in 2022. This was prior to his bitter exit to Georgetown in 2023. English took his place, having just completed a 20-victory season at George Mason.
During English’s tenure, the Friars at no point qualified for March Madness nor concluded a season with a victorious standing in Big East games. Following triumphs over three ranked opponents in his initial season, Providence has since recorded an 0-10 record against such teams.
“As a nascent coach navigating this league, filled with titans, behemoths, and collegiate basketball luminaries, I am, you see, learning the ropes. I did not have the opportunity to hone my skills in the Northeast Conference,” English remarked.
The top-seeded St. John’s team (26-6), featuring Zuby Ejiofor and Bryce Hopkins, surpassed the ninth-seeded Friars in rebounds by a margin of 51-30 and outdid them in bench scoring 30-4.
For the Friars, Stefan Vaaks tallied 19 of his 23 points during the latter half. They were responsible for inflicting the Johnnies’ sole Big East home defeat this season on January 3 at MSG. Jaylin Sellers, the Big East’s leading scorer, contributed 21 points, while Ryan Mela chipped in 16.
Jason Edwards, a guard for Providence and the team’s second-highest scorer averaging 16.5 points per contest, was absent for his second straight match due to a right foot ailment. In his absence, the Friars triumphed over Butler 91-81 in Wednesday’s opening round. This victory came after they initially lagged by 16 points, marking their most significant rally of the current season.
“Kim is an emerging coach and a highly capable one. He fosters effective communication with his squad,” Hall of Fame coach Rick Pitino commented regarding St. John’s. “Their misfortune stemmed from dropping numerous tightly contested games early in the year, which caused momentum to shift against them. Regrettably, such occurrences are common. They transpire in this sport consistently.”
This marked the initial encounter between the founding Big East participants following a contentious match on Valentine’s Day. During that game, an unruly throng in Providence vehemently criticized Hopkins, who had moved to St. John’s for his concluding collegiate season subsequent to a three-year period with the Friars that was cut short by an ailment.
Duncan Powell, a Providence substitute, struck Hopkins forcefully with a clothesline to the face during a fast break. This ignited a skirmish in a Red Storm win that led to seven expulsions, Powell among them.
On one occasion, English found himself shaking his head, his hand covering his countenance.
The Big East imposed a three-game suspension on Powell, prohibiting his participation. He consequently missed the conference tournament.
“It was a severe infraction,” English stated on Wednesday. “No animosity exists between our team and St. John’s.”
“I believe it was entirely exaggerated,” he further commented. “I do not consider it to have been that serious.”
English, who had played at Missouri and was a second-round NBA draft selection by the Pistons in 2012, participated in 41 contests for Detroit for a single season prior to spending two years abroad. He moved between three institutions over six campaigns as an assistant coach before securing his position at George Mason.
A pair of years subsequently, he was declaring his affection for Providence and expressing a desire to remain for an extended duration.
“He is destined for an extensive career,” remarked Pitino, who guided the Friars to the 1987 Final Four. “Every individual in this league is a competent coach, but he is an exceptionally skilled basketball coach. He motivates his teams to compete intensely, and they hold him in high regard. Therefore, I extend only my best wishes, irrespective of the outcome.”
During English’s initial season, the Friars ascended to No. 23 in the AP Top 25 before Hopkins sustained an ACL tear in January. They concluded with a 21-14 overall record and a 10-10 conference standing — marking their third consecutive season with 20 or more victories. Despite reaching the Big East semifinals, they failed to secure a spot in the NCAA tournament.
In the previous season, Providence’s performance declined to 12-20, equalling the highest number of defeats in the program’s annals, a benchmark English described as “deplorable, mortifying.” The current season’s squad suffered losses in nine of its initial 11 Big East contests.
“I would suggest that our team ultimately comprised more youthful players than we had foreseen,” English stated.