If you think this move was predicated in "$ trump everything" then I can see why you thought the move would never happen. Cooley was going to get a pay raise no matter where he went. Even if he wanted to stay at PC at all costs he could have squeezed an extra million or more out of Nap.Jersey77 wrote: ↑1 year agoIt is the same conference; he could build his own legacy, not follow in someone else's footsteps.bigappleram wrote: ↑1 year ago Eh I saw that as him trolling us in the spirit of the rivalry actually. And it worked. I don’t understand why it’s a weak move if he idolized JT and wants to test himself on a bigger stage.
Again weak move, and $ trump everything.
Like any job change it's about many things and at the top of most people's lists family is up there to be balanced.
If you look at this from a zero % chance (no way possible, never happen, you are crazy if you think he would ever leave PC) to 100% chance (they are loading the moving truck) you could view the time graph like a football graph % chance of winning)
I'd say it was never absolute zero and it's still not 100% until the I's dotter and T's crossed. But over the week or two the clues kept coming in and the % kept rising.
We don't know all that is driving him towards this and may never know all but my guesses are:
- Daughter selected Georgetown. Great choice, great school. Congrats. Imaging the pride Ed Cooley and wife feel when she walks that stage in May?
- We know Ed and wife have come to know the Georgetown and Dc area much better over the 4 years she went to GU. My guess is they grew to like it more and became more comfortable there.
- Maybe daughter will go to Grsd School there? Maybe she wants to remain in DC area upon graduation vs returning to RI? Don't underestimated a mothers desire to be near her daughter, and father too.
- Relationship to Georgetown due to strong connection to John Thompson.
- Opportunity to rebuild the Georgetown program back to its lofty heights under John Thompson (very similar to Dan Hurley for UCONN and in fact Cooley saw that play out here)
- Point in life children are grown. No longer in school.
- Challenge. Maybe a bit bored at PC. Georgetown is exciting as a new challenge.
- AD and President of PC have retired or moved on in recent years.
- More on the National stage, in the spotlight
- Can parlay into cushy TV gigs for big money and fun. He loves the spotlight and microphone
- Can keep his home in RI (or not keep it)
- Georgetown job doesn't open often. Act now or lose it.
Not 100% in my mind he goes yet. Remember Jim Harrick, but it's likely up to 90% to 95% now. Cooley could still reverse. But if he does certainly have to look at the damage done to this years team the last 2 weeks with this noise continuing to distract.
Money is nice, but much more in this decision than $$$. More about family, location and career path.
As for fans, that's all short term and not a factor. Look at Hurley and every HC that moves on. Time heals all wounds.
Imagine StubHub ticket prices when Georgetown plays at PC next year? Georgetown at UCONN? Actually it's better for the BE to have Cooley stay there. Georgetown looks strange at the bottom of the BE. DePaul belongs there. Georgetown will get back to Top Tier whether Cooley takes then there or not. Somebody will and Cooley is smart enough to know that so why not him.