Former Rick Barnes Assistant Reportedly Out As Providence's Head Coach

Kim English, who served as an assistant under Rick Barnes at Tennessee, will not return as Providence's head coach next season.

Published on Mar. 5, 2026

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Former Tennessee assistant coach Kim English looks to be out as Providence Basketball's head coach moving forward. According to reports, Providence informed English 'about a week ago' that he will not be returning as the Friars' head coach next season.

Why it matters

English was an assistant coach at Tennessee from 2019 to 2021, helping mold some of the Volunteers' most recognizable players during the Rick Barnes era. His departure from Providence comes after three seasons as the Friars' head coach, during which the team struggled to find consistent success.

The details

English was hired as Providence's head coach before the 2023-2024 season, after serving as the head coach at George Mason from 2021 to 2023. In three years with Providence, English coached the Friars to a 42-50 overall record, including a 21-14 mark in his first season, 12-20 in his second year, and 14-16 so far this season.

  • English was an assistant coach at Tennessee from 2019 to 2021.
  • He then left Knoxville to take his first head coaching role at George Mason from 2021 to 2023.
  • English was hired as Providence's head coach before the 2023-2024 season.
  • Providence informed English 'about a week ago' that he will not be returning as the Friars' head coach next season.

The players

Kim English

Former Tennessee assistant coach who served as Providence's head coach for the past three seasons.

Rick Barnes

Head coach of the Tennessee Volunteers basketball team, for whom English served as an assistant coach from 2019 to 2021.

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What they’re saying

“Former Tennessee assistant coach Kim English looks to reportedly be out as Providence Basketball's head coach moving forward.”

— Ric Butler, Author (rockytopinsider.com)

What’s next

Providence's regular-season finale will come this Saturday night in a road game at Georgetown.

The takeaway

English's departure from Providence comes after a three-year tenure marked by inconsistent success, but his previous work as an assistant under Rick Barnes at Tennessee suggests he may have opportunities to return to the coaching ranks in the future.