There has been speculation about Ed Cooley’s compensation since his high-profile move from Providence College to Georgetown University in 2023. Initial reports pegged his new contract with the Hoyas at a staggering $6 million per year, which raised eyebrows given his previous earnings.
However, newly released tax documents from fiscal year 2024 paint a different picture. They reveal that Cooley’s base salary at Georgetown was $3.89 million, a far cry from the rumored amount. This revelation has shed light on the financial dynamics of coaching transitions in college basketball.
Ed Cooley’s Base Salary at Georgetown in 2024 Unveiled
Tax documents from fiscal year 2024, first reported by PaintTouches and indicated by Rob Reinhart on X, show that Cooley earned a base salary of $3.89 million upon signing with Georgetown. This figure directly contradicts earlier claims from some basketball insiders who stated that Cooley had inked a deal worth $6 million annually.
The $3.89 million mark represents a 16% increase over his previous salary at Providence, where he made $3.35 million per year during his final season with the Friars. While a 16% raise is significant, it’s a modest bump compared to the inflated $6 million figure circulating in media circles.
Comparing Cooley’s Earnings at Providence and Georgetown
To understand the financial implications of Cooley’s move, let’s examine his earnings history at Providence. According to IRS documents filed by Providence College, as reported by Go Local Prov, Cooley’s total compensation over his 12-year tenure with the Friars amounted to $33,663,717. This included $32,027,223 in salary and $1,636,494 in other payments.
In his final season at Providence (2022-2023), which was a partial year due to his mid-season departure, Cooley earned $4,698,511 in salary plus $165,876 in additional compensation, totaling $4,864,387 for roughly 10 months of work. Prorated for a year, his earnings would have exceeded $5 million, making him the highest-paid coach in the Big East Conference.
At Georgetown, Cooley’s $3.89 million base salary for 2024 reflects a new chapter but not the dramatic financial leap some had speculated. The 16% increase from his Providence salary of $3.35 million per year suggests that while Georgetown offered a better deal, the financial incentive was not as substantial as initially thought.
This gap between perception and reality highlights the need for transparency in coaching contracts, especially in a sport where salaries for top coaches continue to skyrocket.
#BREAKING: Tax documents from FY 2024 show that Georgetown’s Ed Cooley received a $3.89M base salary upon signing with the Hoyas, per @PaintTouches.
Reports from reputable basketball insiders claiming that he signed for $6M are confirmed to be completely false.
Ed Cooley made… pic.twitter.com/8zS1QANwmP
— Rob Reinhart (@RealRobReinhart) June 4, 2025
Why the $6 Million Rumor Gained Traction Initially
The $6 million rumor likely stemmed from the high expectations surrounding Cooley’s hire at Georgetown. The Hoyas, a storied program with a rich history under coaches like John Thompson Jr., had struggled in recent years under Patrick Ewing’s leadership, failing to recapture their past glory.
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When Georgetown announced Cooley as their new head coach in March 2023, the move was seen as a bold statement of intent to return to national prominence. Cooley, a proven coach who had led Providence to seven NCAA Tournament appearances in 12 years, was expected to command a premium salary to take on the challenge of rebuilding a program in the competitive Big East.
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