Georgetown does something it hasn't done in 51 years with Ed Cooley hire

Cooley joins the Hoyas after spending the last 12 seasons with the Friars, leading the program to seven NCAA Tournament appearances, including five straight from 2013 to 2018 and then in each of the last two campaigns. Last season's Big East and Naismith Coach of the Year led Providence to a near program-record 27 wins during the 2021-2022 campaign — which ended at the hands of the eventual national champion Kansas Jayhawks in the Sweet 16 — and a 21-12 record this year, which came to a close last week against No. 6 Kentucky in the first round of the NCAA Tournament.

Cooley was just a toddler the last time Georgetown had a head coach with no connection to the late Hall of Famer John Thompson Jr. The 1964 NBA Draft pick took over the Hoyas ahead of the 1972-1973 season and led the team to its first NCAA Tournament appearance since 1943 during his third year.

Thompson resigned in January 1999 after guiding Georgetown to the NCAA Tournament 20 times, including a national title in 1984. After his longtime assistant (Craig Esherick) held the head-coaching role for five-plus seasons, John Thompson III took over in 2004.

The 57-year-old was at the helm for 13 seasons and helped the program make eight tournament appearances, including a Final Four run in 2007.

Basketball Hall of Famer Patrick Ewing, who starred for the Hoyas for four seasons (including the 1984 championship team), had a difficult six-year tenure as Georgetown's head coach, resulting in only one NCAA Tournament appearance. He was fired earlier this month.