The search is progressing quickly at Providence. The early leader here appears to be Fairfield head coach Ed Cooley. Coach Cooley is a Providence native and former Boston College and URI assistant. His Stags are currently 25-7 and have advanced to the 2nd round of the NIT. He has put together back-to-back 20 win seasons at Fairfield. Another candidate picking up some steam is former Ohio State and Boston College head coach Jim O’Brien. Sources say that there has been contact and interest from both side on this one. Also, I’ve heard Arizona State head coach Herb Sendak’s name mentioned. Eventhough he has denied interest, I’d still keep an eye on him. Finally, the dark horse who has seemed to creep into the race is Boston University head coach Pat Chambers. He led his squad to the America East Championship this season and and has experience in the Big East – he is a former assistant to Jay Wright at Villanova. He is HOT right now!

Definitely a very fluid situation here – I’ll keep you posted as I hear more….