Ex-Providence coach Ed Cooley hit with vulgar chant in return to school
Cooley left the Friars for Georgetown after 12 seasons
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}Ed Cooley did not receive a warm welcome back in Providence on Saturday afternoon.
Cooley left the Rhode Island school after 12 seasons to join their Big East rival in Georgetown.
Despite sending the Friars to seven March Madness tournaments since the 2011-12 season, the Friar Faithful let their voices be heard on how they felt about his departure.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON FOXNEWS.COM
Head coach Ed Cooley of the Georgetown Hoyas watches the game against the Butler Bulldogs at Entertainment & Sports Arena on January 23, 2024, in Washington, D.C. (G Fiume/Getty Images)
Just as Saturday's Providence-Georgetown game was set to kick off, fans in the arena hit their former head coach with a vulgar "F--- Ed Cooley" chant.
WARNING: NSFW LANGUAGE
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}It's been quite a struggle for Georgetown over the last few seasons, once a perennial NCAA tournament contender.
Under Patrick Ewing, the Hoyas went 75-109 the past six seasons, making the tournament just once under the former star player.
Ewing was fired after Villanova blew out Georgetown in the first round of the Big East Tournament.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}Georgetown Hoyas head coach Ed Cooley is seen during the Georgetown Hoyas-TCU Horned Frogs NCAA Men's Basketball game in Washington, D.C., on December 2, 2023. (The Washington Post via Getty Images)
"I was born and raised in the Providence College basketball program and am grateful to the college, its President Kenneth Sicard and its Athletic Director, Steve Napolillo, from whom I could not have received better support," Cooley said when he left for Georgetown last March. I am blessed to have worked in this extraordinary conference with great players, coaches, athletic directors, and fans, and I look forward to my new opportunity."
Cooley said he "plan[ned] on hitting the ground running, getting to work on the court and cultivating relationships in and around the District."
Head coach Ed Cooley of the Providence Friars reacts during the first half against the Kentucky Wildcats in the first round of the NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament at The Fieldhouse at Greensboro Coliseum on March 17, 2023, in Greensboro, North Carolina. (Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images)
CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}However, it seems that the Hoyas' previous struggles have filtered into this season. Cooley's Hoyas entered the day at 8-11, but 1-7 in conference play.
Follow Fox News Digital’s sports coverage on X, and subscribe to the Fox News Sports Huddle newsletter.