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PC announced today that Coach Cooley has signed a long term contract extension to remain at Providence "for life." He also donated $500,000 to the academic portion of the new Friar Development Center, the new PC basketball practice facility scheduled to be built soon. Obviously great news for Providence and the Big East. As we know, the old Big East was built on coaches. Having coaches that want to stay at BE schools and truly create an atmosphere that these aren't stepping stone positions is huge. Some key quotes from the Friars press release (http://www.friars.com/sports/m-baskbl/spec-rel/033016aaa.html) announcing the extension:

-"We feel this contract extension is an important part of the process in continuing to build our basketball program," Driscoll [A.D.] said. "Ed has done so much for the College and for the Athletics Department. He indicated to us that he wants to finish his coaching career at Providence College and he is the person we want to guide our men's basketball program. We are thrilled that Ed will be a Friar for life."

-"Providence has always been my destination," Cooley said. "Fr. Shanley [President] and Bob Driscoll [A.D.] have made a tremendous commitment to compete at the highest level and I appreciate all their support. Nurys and I wanted to acknowledge this support and appreciate Providence College by giving back. We are excited that we will be at Providence College for life."

Also Jon Rothstein of CBS Sports chimed in on Twiter https://twitter.com/jonrothstein/status/715201499274412032:
Not sure there is a coach in college basketball who fits better in his job than Ed Cooley with Providence. A truly perfect marriage. #pcbb

Ed is perfect for Providence. With this fresh deal, he needs to get to work and fast. Get some graduate transfers, to bolster up the front and back court, get Ben back from another year, and let's see what they can do next year

A $500K donation to a still unbuilt development center should put any rumors about Ed's commitment long term to the school to rest. Way to go PC and Coach Cooley!

FriarJ wrote:A $500K donation to a still unbuilt development center should put any rumors about Ed's commitment long term to the school to rest. Way to go PC and Coach Cooley!

That's exactly what I thought. If your giving cash back to your school like that then you truly want to be there for the long haul to see it grow. Awesome for the PC.

Congrats to Ed and Providence....I really like Ed and I'm glad they've come to a lifetime agreement.....also sends a nice message to the rest of the country that the Big East is still a power conference and not a "stepping stone" to something bigger and better.....

Congrats, ed is not only a great coach but seems like a great person as well.

Great news for PC and for the BE. As I have said in the past, stability in coaching is going to be one of the most important factors in maintaining the strength of the conference. BE schools need to make sure our coaches aren't jumping to mid-level P5 teams just to get into a P-5, like a certain coach did (which I think in the long run that ends up being a plus for BE with his replacement) - but I digress. Congrats again to PC fans.

Whaaaa? Coach Cooley didn't jump at the SF Austin job?
Well - Congrats on stayin' at the Dunk.

I've heard that refrain before..."at such n so university for life", "finish my career here at such n so university"... famous last words (before departing in the midst of the night). Not sayin' Ed will vamos. Just sayin' many of us have heard that tune.

Good luck Friars.

Wright, Thompson, Cooley and Mullin are some coaches who would like to stay at their schools for the remainder of their coaching careers. Mack is right there too, but i'll add him to the list when the school commits to him and gives him a fat raise and an extension. I think he wants to stay at X but they need to pay him first.