So as it turns out, Providence head coach Ed Cooley isn’t going to become the next bench boss at the University of Michigan.
Tuesday, the Friars announced that Cooley wouldn’t be heading to Ann Arbor and instead will sign a contract extension to remain in Providence for the foreseeable future.
Via CBS Sports:
“While it’s very flattering to be considered for other head coaching jobs, after talking with my family I have decided to remain in my hometown of Providence,” Cooley said. “The Friars are my family. Most importantly, my commitment is to my players and my team at Providence.”
Not that Ed Cooley withdrawing his name from consideration is going to leave Michigan fans and the school for that matter anywhere near as depressed as they were when the Cleveland Cavaliers swooped in and nabbed John Beilein in the middle of the night. This however still leaves everyone wondering who exactly will be coaching Michigan basketball next season?
Okay so who is going to coach Michigan next season?
Yep, that’s one of the biggest questions in College Basketball. It would seem that one of the most sought after jobs in the land is seeing a bit of a head coaching drought among the college ranks. Former prominent college head coaches in Brad Stevens and Billy Donovan (who are now both in the NBA) both told the Wolverines thanks but no thanks and Warde Manuel would have to be absolutely insane to go and knock on Rick Pintino‘s door.
That leaves former Fab-Five member and Miami Heat assistant Juwan Howard as the leader in the clubhouse which has its sentiments but is he ready to coach a big time college program like Michigan? Notably this wouldn’t be the first time that a first time that a upper tier college program went with a rookie head coach but Michigan still has some time to conduct a proper search and not panic when someone established like Ed Cooley goes a different direction.