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Providence Fires Basketball Coach Kim English
Athletic department's handling of dismissal creates distractions ahead of postseason
Published on Mar. 5, 2026
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The Providence Friars have decided to fire head basketball coach Kim English at the end of the season, despite the team's recent turnaround and positioning for a potential Big East Tournament bid. The news of English's impending dismissal was made public prematurely, creating a distraction for the team as it prepares for its final regular season games and the conference tournament.
Why it matters
The messy handling of English's firing has created an awkward situation for the program, its players, and the athletic department. With the news public, it could lead to key players entering the transfer portal and make it harder for the team to focus on finishing the season strong and potentially earning an NCAA Tournament bid.
The details
Providence athletic director Steve Napolillo had reportedly been in talks with agents and coaches about replacing English, even as the team had started to turn things around after a rough stretch earlier in the season. The decision to fire English was made public just days before the team's final regular season game, which happens to be against former Friars coach Ed Cooley, adding an extra layer of drama.
- On March 1, 2026, Providence lost its final home game of the season by 22 points.
- Reports surfaced on March 3, 2026 that English had been told he would be fired at the end of the season.
The players
Kim English
The head basketball coach of the Providence Friars, who is being fired at the end of the season despite the team's recent turnaround.
Steve Napolillo
The athletic director of Providence, who had reportedly been in talks with agents and coaches about replacing English before the end of the season.
Ed Cooley
The former head coach of the Providence Friars, who will face the team in its final regular season game after rallying from a 21-point deficit to beat them earlier this season.
Jamier Jones
A freshman player on the Providence roster who is expected to be highly coveted in the transfer portal following English's dismissal.
Stefan Vaaks
Another freshman player on the Providence roster who is expected to be highly coveted in the transfer portal following English's dismissal.
What’s next
Providence's final regular season game is against former coach Ed Cooley, which is expected to be an emotional and dramatic affair given the circumstances surrounding English's dismissal.
The takeaway
The messy handling of Kim English's firing by the Providence athletic department has created an unnecessary distraction for the team as it prepares for the postseason. This situation highlights the importance of managing coaching changes professionally and with the best interests of the players and program in mind.
