The Providence athletic department has appointed Bryan Hodgson, formerly of South Florida, as the new head coach for its men’s basketball team.
On Sunday, Steve Napolillo, Providence’s athletic director, formally revealed the appointment, characterizing Hodgson as a successful individual destined to instill a victorious ethos within the team.
“Within the current environment of revenue sharing and NIL opportunities, it was clear we required a coach possessing the drive, fervor, and talent to steer us back to contending for titles and participating in the NCAA tournament,” Napolillo stated. He further added, “Bryan has revitalized two distinct Division 1 programs, and our aspiration is for him to inject fresh vitality into the Friar men’s basketball squad. His coaching career spans 18 years in college basketball, with half a decade spent as an assistant coach at the University of Alabama.”
He continued, “During the past three years, Bryan has effectively leveraged data analysis, his recruitment prowess, and coaching expertise to achieve 70 victories. Bryan consistently achieves success, and a culture of triumph is precisely what Providence College requires.”
Hodgson’s arrival at the Friars follows a single season at USF where he guided the Bulls to a 25-9 overall standing, securing a berth in the NCAA tournament, alongside capturing both the regular-season and postseason championships in the American Conference.
As the 11th seed, the Bulls were defeated by the 6th-seeded Louisville team in the initial round of the NCAA tournament on Thursday.
Previously serving as an assistant under Nate Oats at both Buffalo and Alabama, Hodgson advocates for a fast-paced game approach, emphasizing shots chosen for their high probability of success.
The 38-year-old Hodgson is stepping in for Kim English, whose three-year tenure at Providence saw an 82-81 record, notably including consecutive losing campaigns in the 2024-25 and 2025-26 seasons.
In a public declaration, Hodgson expressed, “I am profoundly privileged and enthusiastic to be appointed as the new head coach for the Providence Friars men’s basketball program. This institution boasts a storied heritage, a devoted supporter base, and a community that deeply cherishes its squad. Our aim is to forge a team that mirrors this profound civic pride. Our approach will be characterized by resilience, strict adherence to principles, and an unwavering commitment to achieving distinction.”
Providence marks Hodgson’s third institution in as many years; before his time at South Florida, he dedicated two seasons to Arkansas State. There, he guided the team to two seasons with over 20 wins, notably a 25-11 record and the Sun Belt regular-season championship in 2024-25, which earned the Red Wolves their initial NIT appearance in over thirty years.
Hodgson now takes charge of a Big East program recognized for its substantial financial backing, aiming to restore consistent victories following Ed Cooley’s departure for Georgetown in 2023. Despite English achieving one 20-win season post-Cooley, Providence recorded a 13-27 conference record in Big East matchups during the preceding two seasons.
During his tenure as an assistant at Alabama, Hodgson was instrumental in solidifying the Crimson Tide’s reputation as a premier recruiting destination nationwide. Under his influence, Alabama consistently secured recruiting classes ranked in the top 15 and advanced to the Sweet 16 on two occasions. Furthermore, the Tide secured both the SEC regular-season title and the SEC conference tournament championship twice.
While serving as an assistant coach at Buffalo, he assisted Oats in achieving three invitations to the NCAA tournament, attaining a national ranking, and clinching two MAC regular-season championships.
