Georgetown’s Coaching Search Set To Begin as Ewing Era Comes to an End

The wheels are already in motion for Georgetown as Patrick Ewing's tenure as head coach approaches its merciful end.

Today marks Patrick Ewing’s final game (barring a highly unlikely win) as head coach of the Georgetown Hoyas. While Ewing holds out hope for another miracle run in the Big East Tournament to save his job, the university has already been working behind the scenes for several weeks now to be able to hit the ground running in its search for a new head coach once Ewing and Georgetown officially part ways.

Here is what I am hearing about Georgetown’s search right now.

Lee Reed set to take on an expanded role in the hiring process

The last search for a head coach was one that was ultimately led by John Thompson Jr., Jack DeGioia, and Paul Tagliabue (to a lesser extent). While athletic director Lee Reed was involved then, sources indicate that Reed will have much more influence in the process this time around.

This does not, however, mean that he will have final say over who Georgetown hires. As one source close to Jack DeGioia said, “I do believe he [Reed] will get a chance this time. But Jack will make the ultimate decision.”

For what it’s worth, I am told that Reed’s preferred candidate when the school was searching for John Thompson III’s successor was Marquette head coach Shaka Smart. Perhaps this could give insight into the qualities in a head coach that Reed will be prioritizing in the search for Ewing’s replacement.

Rick Pitino wants Georgetown, but does Georgetown want Rick Pitino?

The apple of many Georgetown fans’ eyes, Rick Pitino, has been making it very well-known in recent weeks that he is eyeing a potential exit from Iona if the right Power 6 job comes along. This article from CBS Sports’ Matt Norlander might as well have said in big bold letters, “I’M READY FOR A NEW JOB”.

Pitino and his camp have made it very clear through various back channels since roughly December that Pitino would like to coach at Georgetown. However, I have not detected an appetite from anyone within the university at this point to bring Pitino on board.

One administration source told me “Not happening. Jack won’t do it,” when asked about the prospects of Pitino to Georgetown. Another source described Pitino to Georgetown as a “nonstarter” for DeGioia.

This does not mean that all hope is lost, however. Pitino has a high level of support among many notable program donors for Georgetown, especially ones based in New York. The lobbying for Pitino to Georgetown is going to continue, both internally and externally. Whether it will be successful or not is another question though.

Pitino is in the midst of guiding his Iona team through the MAAC Tournament, and likely won’t be holding any real discussions with schools until his season concludes. Those close to Pitino are hopeful that a dialogue with Georgetown will be opened once the respective parties are through with their seasons. But right now, Georgetown’s level of interest in Pitino appears low.

Ed Cooley buzz grows

Ed Cooley has been the popular name linked with the soon-to-be open Georgetown job this week. It started with this tweet, from the burner account of PFT Commenter, a Barstool personality:

Ghost Of Leroy @LeroyInsider

I’m hearing Ed Cooley and Georgetown could be a thing that happens. It’s only college basketball but hey it’s still a scoop and I’m a dog so let’s not be picky

For those scratching their heads, this account has gotten numerous scoops in the past, ahead of other, more legitimate journalists. This was proven yesterday when this account scooped the Daniel Jones contract with the New York Giants.

Ghost Of Leroy @LeroyInsider

Hearing QB Daniel Jones and the Giants are nearing agreement on a 4-year contract extension upwards of 150 million bark bark bark I am a dog

Georgetown’s interest in Cooley has been rumored for a couple weeks now. I absolutely expect them to make a run at him, but they will have to show him the money for him to leave Providence. From what I understand, despite having to cover Ewing’s buyout, Georgetown is ready to invest significant financial resources again in its next head coach, for the right candidate. Cooley will cost a lot, but if Georgetown feels he is their guy, I could see them splurging for him.

From Cooley’s perspective, leaving Providence for Georgetown carries a fair bit of risk with it, but from a personal viewpoint, the move makes a lot of sense. Cooley’s idol growing up was John Thompson Jr, and his daughter is currently a student at Georgetown too. On the basketball side of things, Georgetown has better facilities, a higher program budget, and a better local area to recruit from.

Cooley’s name is one to watch in the coming weeks.

Is there a dark horse candidate?

In the last few days, multiple sources have said that Drake head coach Darian DeVries’ name has been discussed internally at Georgetown. DeVries and Drake are coming off a Missouri Valley Conference Tournament championship title, thus earning them a spot in the NCAA Tournament.

DeVries, the 2018-19 and 2020-21 MVC Coach of the Year, is in his fifth season as head coach at Drake. In his first four seasons, the Bulldogs won 95 games, the most of any four-year period in school history.

Before coming to Drake, DeVries was an assistant at Creighton for 17 years, coaching under both Dana Altman and Greg McDermott. When he took over at Drake, he inherited a roster with only one returning starter and three returning contributors, and assembled a roster that led his team to its first regular season MVC title since 2008.

DeVries doesn’t make much sense from a geographic standpoint for Georgetown, but he has shown the ability to build a program from the ground up quickly, something that could appeal to Georgetown.

I don’t see DeVries being Georgetown’s preferred choice, but his name is out there right now as it pertains to the Georgetown job.