Kim English signs reported 6-year deal with Providence

Kim English has been named the next head coach of Providence's men's basketball program, school president Father Kenneth R. Sicard and athletic director Steve Napolillo announced Thursday.

English and the Friars reportedly agreed upon a six-year deal, sources told CBS Sports' Matt Norlander.

The 34-year-old spent the last two seasons at George Mason, guiding the Patriots to a 34-29 mark. He previously served as an assistant to Rick Barnes at Tennessee.

English apparently became the primary candidate for the Friars' vacancy after Ed Cooley departed for Georgetown on Monday.

The ex-Missouri star was a two-time All-Big 12 third-team selection and the conference tournament's Most Outstanding Player in 2012. The Detroit Pistons selected him 44th overall later that year.

"As I was looking for a new head coach, I consulted some of the most knowledgeable people in the game, including Mike Tranghese and Rick Barnes," Napolillo said in a statement. "I wanted to find an individual who represented passion and integrity as well as the many other values of Providence College. That led me to Kim.

"Kim is known as one of the best recruiters in the country, and he is a rising star in college basketball. He has had success at every level of basketball as a player and a coach. I look forward to our program reaching new heights and having the opportunity to work with him as my teammate for many years to come."

Providence finished 21-12 this past season, including a 13-7 mark in Big East play. The Friars lost to Kentucky in the opening round of the Big Dance. It was the program's seventh NCAA Tournament appearance in 12 seasons under Cooley.