Friars tab George Mason coach
Providence hired Kim English on Thursday as its next basketball coach, quickly moving to fill the opening left after Ed Cooley left to take the job at Big East rival Georgetown.
English becomes the 16th coach in school history. Cooley resigned from Providence on Monday following 12 seasons. He complied a 242-153 record with the Friars that included seven appearances, but just three March Madness victories.
The 34-year-old English was 3429 in two seasons at George Mason, leading the Patriots to a 20-13 record this past season. It was the first time the school reached the 20-win milestone since 2016-17.
“Kim English is the ideal choice to lead our men’s basketball program, and I am delighted to welcome him to the Providence College community,” school president Father Kenneth Sicard said in a statement. “He is a proven leader with an impressive record of commitment to the holistic development of student-athletes in programs that reflect his work ethic, integrity, and passion for excellence. Those characteristics reflect the ideals of Providence
College, and I am excited for the future of Friar men’s basketball under Kim’s leadership.”
Cooley’s 242 wins as Friars’ coach were second only to Joe Mullaney’s 290 victories that came over two stints with the Friars.
ACL SURGERY FOR HOSKINS
Phillies first baseman Rhys Hoskins needs surgery for a torn ACL after injuring his left knee Thursday fielding a grounder in a spring training game and is expected to miss a significant amount of time.
The Phillies did not say when Hoskins would have the surgery or exactly how long the slugging first baseman might be sidelined.
Hoskins hit 30 homers with 79 RBI last season for the reigning National League champions.
He was backing up to play a chopper on Thursday when the ball popped out of his glove. Sooner after, he fell to the ground and began clutching his left knee.
Teammates gathered around him before he was taken off of the field.
Hoskins, a free agent at the end of the season who turned 30 last week, hit six homers in Philadelphia’s playoff run last season. The Phillies lost to the Astros in the World Series.
The injury was another blow for the Phillies, who will be without top pitching prospect Andrew Painter for another few weeks because of a sprained ligament in his right elbow. Slugger Bryce Harper isn’t expected back until around the All-Star break after undergoing Tommy John surgery in November.
WAINWRIGHT ON IL
Adam Wainwright was in line for his seventh opening day start. Instead, the veteran Cardinals right-hander will begin what’s slated to be his final season on the injured list with a groin injury.
Cardinals manager Oliver Marmol said before St. Louis’ spring training game against the Yankees that Wainwright could miss several weeks.
The 41-year-old apparently strained his groin in a workout before Team USA lost to Japan, 3-2, in the World Baseball Classic.