Worth the watch, the guy exudes confidence, that is for sure.
Many people aren't going to bother watching this so some highlights. First, I'll premise this by saying that the interviewers focus a lot on Providence, etc., which is annoying but inevitable for the reasons I state below.
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Cooley is asked about Providence. He says he was proud of what he did there, the fan base that was built over time.
Was it hard to leave? "1000 percent. You're leaving home." He says he'll cheer for Kim English as coach. He lived there and gets it.
My Comment: I know this annoys some people, but it is inevitable that anybody interviewing Cooley to start the year is going to ask about the change. It's not common for an intraconference coaching change, and obviously Providence's fans didn't take it well. So, I think it's going to just keep happening until we start playing games. In a year, few reporters or interviewers will be asking this question--both because of time, and also it will no longer be relevant.
- Cooley on Why Georgetown?: "Everyone says why Georgetown? Why? Change. I think in all of our lives change is healthy for everyone...Every now and then change is exciting its reinvigorating."
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Cooley on fan base at Providence: "I understand the bitterness, the anger of everything that comes with change and it should. Maybe I would be in that boat if I was them but that is a fan base that is second to none and I promise you I'm excited to go back there."
My Comment: I would prefer if he emphasized Georgetown is the best at the end of these statements, but frankly the Providence fan base has been stronger than ours, and is stronger than ours is now. So he's being honest.
- How do you come to grips with not being liked by Providence fans? "It is to be expected people aren't going to be happy with it . . . that is people's own emotion that's their own feelings. I think we all want to be liked but I want to make sure I take care of my soul at the same time."
Cooley says he will not apologize for staying in the Big East and for taking care of his life.
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Building Fan Base in DC: Cooley says you build them first with your students. He says do you win first, or bring people in first? It's a combination. "It's just a matter of time. I could give to sh__s about legacy, I'm not here for legacy. I'm here to win, to graduate young people, and to make change. Anything beyond that is gravy. They'll come, they'll come and we need them. Everyone watching this come on out and support us. Let's go through the hard times together so when we're at the mountaintop we celebrate as one."
My comment: It's clear he's talking about his personal legacy here, not Georgetown's. In fact, he said earlier he planned to respect that legacy/history but do things his own way.
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How quickly do you think you can get Georgetown back to the tournament? "You sound like everybody in the building." The interviewers then mention NIL/transfer portal, but that it might be much to expect it this year. Cooley says, "If there was ever a year to make a change this wasn't one. Right, so when you see the level of teams that are in the league and what you're overcoming, but it's opportunity every day knocking. . . Marquette was picked what, 9th? Play the games and then let that play out. And if it's not what you as the fan or media want it to be, buckle up. Just sit back, it'll happen."
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On Georgetown not having a Thompson or Former Player in the Role, do you feel weight of that? "Hell no, why would I feel the weight of it? It's a job, it's an opportunity. I'm going to respect that tradition and legacy of Georgetown's you know winning national championships. I'm going to respect the former players, the players that are coming, the community of which I'm in. But pressure to me is a privilege, right?
It's a job man, it's a job and I'm going to respect that. If I'm going in there looking at and and be overwhelmed by it you're not going to do you're not going to be you. I'm gonna be me. Whether you like it or you like [he is referring to the interviewers], I don't care what you do. That's a feeling that's not a problem for you being I don't care what you think. My job is to reestablish one of the iconic brands in all of intercollegiate sports and academia. My job is to create an energy and an enthusiasm where people are going to be like, "I got to get a ticket," and for all of you watching right now on this I highly recommend you get some season tickets now . . ."
My Comment: A year ago, did anybody envision us having a coach that when asked if he felt the pressure from taking over for a role that had been in the Thompsons'/his former player hands for 50 years, would say "Hell no?" In just 6-7 months, we are a far cry from Ronny running things at the TAC.
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Interviewer brings up Providence-Georgetown game, again: "If I'm disliked there, it tells me I did a hell of a job..."
My Comment: By this point, Cooley seemed kind of irritated with the interviewers (though he kept his normal demeanor for the most part), but I don't blame Cooley since the interviewers were obsessed with Providence. I am sure that's not what Cooley wants to talk about. But Cooley's comment is obviously silly talk--people dislike horrible coaches all the time for good reasons--but I get what he means here.
Aside: These interviewers, whoever they are, aren't very good. I'll try to do the same with the other video Dan posted later on.
