Providence Fires Basketball Coach Kim English After Loss to St. John's
With the Big East Tournament in New York City, the Providence Friars fell to the St. John’s Red Storm in their quarterfinal game on Thursday, 85-72.
That loss brought immediate discussion of the rumors that Friars head coach Kim English would lose his job. Red Storm head coach Rick Pitino praised English, even indicating that he couldn’t really take about the Providence job if there wasn’t official news that English was out.
On Friday, that news broke when the school officially announced it was parting ways with English. That came after three seasons of coaching the school, with a 46-49 record and no appearances in the NCAA Tournament.
The school released a statement on Friday, with Providence College Athletic Director Steve Napolillo delivering a comment on English.
“We appreciate Kim and his staff for their efforts over the past three seasons leading our men’s basketball team,” Napolillo said. “We wish him and his family all the best in the future.”
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English finished his three-season Providence coaching career with a losing record in the Big East at 23-36. The team’s only postseason appearance, except for the Big East Tournament each season, was in the National Invitational Tournament in 2023-24, English’s first season as Friars coach.
After losing to St. John’s on Thursday afternoon, English indicated he wasn’t looking for anyone’s “pity” regarding his job situation or the Providence team.
“I don’t want anyone’s sympathy. I don’t like anyone’s pity. Don’t text me nothing sad, ‘Hope you’re OK, keep your head up’… Kick me while I’m down. I’ll get up. I’ve never been more proud in that locker room than I was after this season,” English said in postgame remarks.
The Friars finished their latest season 15-18 with a 7-13 Big East record. At times during the season, Providence appeared like a team that could get into the conversation for another Big East team to go to the NCAA Tournament, but unfortunately faltered in some close games that could’ve made an impact.
Most likely, English will find another head coaching position. English, also a former George Mason head coach, has been linked to the Syracuse vacancy after they fired Adrian Autry, although other potential candidates are in the mix.
Based on Providence’s release regarding English, they plan to begin an immediate search for their next men’s basketball coach.
Read more:Rick Pitino Gives Blunt Take on Kim English's Future After Providence Loss
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This story was originally published March 13, 2026 at 11:08 AM.