Georgetown legends Jerome Williams, Michael Sweetney on Ed Cooley hire

On Wednesday afternoon, Ed Cooley was introduced as the new headcoach for the Georgetown Hoyas.

This move follows 12 successful seasons at Providence, includingseven NCAA tournament bids in the past nine years it has been heldand a Big East regular-season championship in 2021-22.

"I am excited for the opportunity to lead the men's basketballprogram at Georgetown University," Cooley said in a statement. "Iplan on hitting the ground running, getting to work on the courtand cultivating relationships in and around the District. Acceptingthis opportunity with Georgetown is not a decision I tooklightly."

In an exclusive interview with John Fantaof FOX Sports, Cooley described his reasons for leavingProvidence.

"When I did a deep dive of what's important — I always said yesto everybody, and I always said no to Ed. Coach Cooley dideverything, but Ed needed a change," Cooley said. "I thoughtGeorgetown was the place for me to make that change. As hard as itwas because it's in-conference, and because a lot of people look atthat as villainous or betrayal, I hope people give me anopportunity to serve Ed. And it sounds selfish, it sounds realselfish, but sometimes change is need on both sides and I felt forme change was needed...

"The Big East has a lot to do with the change even though it'stough because it's in-conference. I love the Big East. I lovebasketball-centric places. They're the recruiting fertile ground ofthe DMV area that expands.”

I caught up with two Georgetown Hoya legends in Jerome Williams(a.k.a. Junk Yard Dog) and Michael Sweetney to discuss theirthoughts on the changing of the guard at their alma mater and thedirection of the program.

Jerome Williams(JYD)

Etan: Talk to me about your first thoughts onthe new hire Ed Cooley for Georgetown.

JYD: "From first impressions, he hit the ballout the park. He really ushered in the alumni. He even got peoplelike Reggie Williams commenting positivity about him taking overthe reins of Georgetown’s basketball program, and that’s along-term Hoya alumni who helped bring a national championship tothe hilltop. So right now, all of the alumni, myself included,we're very excited.

"We’ve always supported every regime that has been at Georgetownsince I’ve been here, and that includes Coach Patrick (Ewing),Coach JT3 (John Thompson III), Coach (Craig) Esherick. Andobviously, I was blessed to have Coach John Thompson. So Ed Cooleyis no different in terms of the support that he will receive fromme, and the Junk Yard Dog Dogg Pound. I’m here to support this almamater through thick and thin. But like I said, Ed Cooley’s firstimpression has really gone over well with everyone. And add to that— he has the resume of what he accomplished at Providence that hasreally energized this entire Georgetown community, with him being aBig East Champion and Coach of the Year, so that all helps. Soyeah, we’re all definitely excited."

Etan: Yeah, people are really buzzing here inthe DMV. This seems like this was the coach that a lot of peoplewanted. You heard the chatter even during the tournament beforeProvidence lost. But the electricity around the program seems tohave been reignited. Would you say that’s an accuratedescription?

JYD: "Definitely, the electricity is back. Whenhe says he wants to sell out the arena which holds 20,000 [people],that’s exactly what needs to happen. And that starts with thealumni, it starts with the students and it starts with the overallcommunity. So that’s the key."

Etan: Now, of course, programs don’t turnaround overnight and it’s been a tough few years for Georgetownjust as far as wins and losses. So what would your advice be toHoya fans as far as patience?

JYD: "My advice would definitely be thateverything is a process and Rome wasn’t built in a day. But, withthe world the way it is around college sports and the transferportal, you look at teams like Missouri, who transformed veryquickly into a winning program. And that was largely due to thetransfer portal."

Etan: Yeah, the transfer portal is definitely a gamechanger, but it’s like musical chairs; you lose four playersand then you get four new players. It’s an interesting dynamicright now that we’re in with college basketball.

JYD: "That's absolutely correct. In some waysit’s damaging, and in other ways, it can be transformative."

Etan: Very true. So let’s talk about thehistory of Georgetown and why it’s so historically special as aprogram and what it means to the DMV area and really all of collegesports.