March is supposed to be about conference tournaments, last second shots, and teams fighting their way into the NCAA Tournament.
But for some programs, this time of year signals something else entirely. A reset.
Providence appears headed in that direction. Reports indicate the Friars plan to part ways with head coach Kim English once the season concludes, bringing an end to a short and turbulent chapter for a program that not long ago looked like one of the steadier teams in the Big East.
Providence still has its final regular season game at Georgetown before turning toward the Big East Tournament, but the larger conversation around the program has already shifted toward the future.
And with conference tournaments now underway across the country, the college basketball coaching carousel is beginning to spin faster by the day.
A promising start that never found traction
When Providence hired Kim English in 2023, the move came with a mix of excitement and curiosity.
English was young, energetic, and widely viewed as a rising figure in the sport. His time at George Mason showed promise, and his personality fit the type of coach Providence hoped could usher in a new era after longtime coach Ed Cooley left for Georgetown.
The first season offered plenty of optimism.
Providence won 21 games during English’s debut year and pushed deep into the Big East Tournament. The Friars narrowly missed the NCAA Tournament but looked like a program building momentum.
Instead, that season ended up being the high point.
Over the following two years the Friars struggled to establish consistency and never found the same rhythm that made the first season encouraging.
A season defined by missed opportunities
The Friars enter the final stretch of the regular season with a 14-16 overall record and a 7-12 mark in Big East play.
What made the season especially frustrating was how many games felt within reach.
Providence repeatedly found itself in tight contests but had difficulty finishing them off. Several overtime losses and multiple narrow defeats slowly chipped away at the team’s record.
In a conference as competitive as the Big East, those moments often determine whether a team is fighting for an NCAA Tournament spot or simply trying to survive the final weeks of the season.
For Providence, too many of those games slipped away.
The Big East remains one of college basketball’s toughest stages
Few conferences demand more from coaches than the Big East.
The league features veteran programs, passionate fan bases, and experienced coaching staffs that rarely make things easy on opponents. Every road game feels like a battle and every season requires depth, discipline, and resilience.
Providence has shown in the past that it can thrive in that environment. The Friars have produced memorable tournament teams and built a strong identity as a program capable of competing with anyone in the conference.
That reputation is one reason the job will attract significant interest.
Even after a disappointing season, Providence remains a program with resources, strong fan support, and a clear path back toward NCAA Tournament relevance.
The coaching carousel is already picking up speed
Conference tournaments are already underway across the country, and that usually means coaching searches are not far behind.
Athletic directors and search firms often begin laying groundwork weeks before official decisions are announced. Once postseason play begins, those conversations quickly turn into action.
Dozens of jobs are expected to change hands across Division I basketball in the coming weeks.
Providence could become one of the most appealing openings.
A Big East job with a passionate fan base and a strong basketball tradition will always draw attention from coaches looking to take the next step in their careers.
Potential candidates to watch
If Providence launches a full search in the coming weeks, several names could quickly appear on early candidate lists.
Josh Schertz
Schertz has become one of the most respected mid-major coaches in the country. His teams are known for their structure, offensive creativity, and discipline. His resume includes multiple successful seasons and he has steadily built a reputation as a coach capable of elevating programs.
Casey Alexander
The Belmont head coach has quietly built one of the most consistent programs in mid-major basketball. Alexander’s teams regularly win 20 or more games and play a clean, efficient style. His resume includes more than 300 career victories across several stops.
Tony Skinn
Skinn has helped turn George Mason into a competitive program in the Atlantic 10 and continues to gain attention in coaching circles. His leadership and recruiting connections could make him an intriguing option if Providence looks for an ascending coach.
Luke Murray
A key assistant at UConn, Murray has been part of one of the most successful coaching staffs in college basketball over the past several seasons. His experience inside a championship level program and his recruiting background give him a strong resume for future head coaching opportunities.
Chris Carrawell
Carrawell has spent years on the bench at Duke and has built a reputation as one of the most respected assistants in the sport. With extensive recruiting ties and experience inside a national powerhouse, he could be ready for his first head coaching opportunity.
The next hire will shape the program’s future
Providence’s next coaching decision will carry significant weight.
The Friars need someone capable of stabilizing the program while navigating the modern realities of college basketball. Recruiting, transfer portal management, and NIL strategy now play enormous roles in building competitive rosters.
The right coach could quickly bring the program back into the NCAA Tournament picture.
For now, Providence still has basketball left to play this season. But as conference tournaments unfold and the coaching carousel continues to turn, the Friars appear ready to begin writing the next chapter of their program’s story.