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New Georgetown head basketball coach Ed Cooley was an institution at Providence. When he left in March for a job within the Big East conference, questions and criticism were expected.

But Cooley said Tuesday at Big East media days he won’t apologize for making the move.

“Was it hard to leave? 1,000 percent,” Cooley, 54, said.

“But Georgetown is change. And change is healthy. I understand the bitterness that comes with that. I promise you I’m excited to go back there this year. But I’m not apologizing for taking care of my life. End of discussion.”

Cooley was hired March 20 and pointed to family reasons as a driving factor for the move. His daughter, Olivia, is a recent Georgetown graduate.

Cooley spent 12 seasons at Providence, posting a record of 242-153 and replaces Patrick Ewing. Ewing, the Basketball Hall of Fame center who starred for the Hoyas and New York Knicks, spent six seasons as the program’s head coach. Georgetown was 7-25 last season and 2-18 in Big East games.

Providence hosts Georgetown on Jan. 27, and Cooley said he knows the Friars will be fired up.

“I can feel the anger and I get it. I understand it. I can internalize that,” Cooley said. “But in our world, change is OK. … I’ll always be a kid from Providence.”

–Field Level Media