With John Beilein off to the NBA, Michigan is talking with Providence head coach Ed Cooley about taking Beilein’s place with the Wolverines.
The Michigan Wolverines are still looking for a new head coach after John Beilein bolted for the Cleveland Cavaliers, but their search is nearing an end. After speaking to assistants Luke Yaklich and Saddi Washington, Michigan athletic director Warde Manuel is interviewing Providence head coach Ed Cooley about the job Monday evening and Juwan Howard on Tuesday.
Cooley has been the head coach of the Friars for eight years, posting a 162-110 record and guiding Providence to five NCAA Tournament appearances. Prior to coaching the Friars, Cooley spent five years at Fairfield, where he went 92-69 and led the Stags to 25 wins in 2011 before jumping to Providence.
Cooley, 49, would be a strong fit for the Wolverines as he has proven to be an excellent coach competing in a tough Big East. The Friars have constantly been a threat in the conference throughout Cooley’s tenure and produced Kris Dunn, the fifth overall pick in the 2016 NBA Draft.
He isn’t the only candidate in the mix, however, as Manuel is also talking to Miami Heat assistant and former Fab Five member, Juwan Howard about the job tomorrow. Howard was in the mix for the Minnesota Timberwolves’ head coaching position before the team settled on Ryan Saunders as the permanent replacement for Tom Thibodeau.
The choice is an intriguing one for Michigan, especially with several of Howard’s Fab Five teammates, including Jalen Rose and Chris Webber, endorsing Howard’s candidacy. While Cooley is an established winner at a solid Big East program in Providence, Howard offers the potential of reviving the program as an alum much like Penny Hardaway is doing at Memphis.
Without any other candidates in the mix right now, the Wolverines could settle on their next head coach by the end of the week if Cooley or Howard nail their interviews.