Ed Cooley

Title

Head Men's Basketball Coach

    Ed Cooley became the 11th head coach in the history of Fairfield University when he accepted the position in April 2006. In his four seasons, Cooley posted a 92-69 overall record, including a 23-11 mark in 2009-10 and a 25-8 mark in 2010-11. It marked the fifth and sixth 20-win seasons in school history and the first since the 1995-96 campaign.

   He led the Stags to their first post-season berth since the 2003 season, and their first post-season win in more than 30 years with its overtime win against George Mason. In that win, Fairfield set an NCAA Division I post-season record for biggest come back when the team erased a 27-point second-half deficit to defeat George Mason in overtime. Fairfield defeated Colorado State in the first round of the NIT in 2011 and hosted a second-round game against Kent State.

   Cooley was the first recipient of the Ben Jobe Award, presented annually to the top minority men's basketball coach in the nation. His 67 wins are the most by any Fairfield men's basketball coach through the first four years of their career. And, he is averaging just over 16 wins per season, which is also best among coaches who have coached four seasons at Fairfield University.

He became the first Fairfield men's basketball coach to post a .500 or better record in Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference play in each of his first four seasons. The Stags own a 43-29 record in conference play since Cooley took over the helm. The 13 wins in 2009-10 ties the most MAAC wins in a season for the Stags, joining the 2002-03 (13-3) and 1985-86 (13-1) teams for that honor.

   Fairfield posted an impressive seven-game winning streak during the 2006-07 and 2007-08 seasons, the longest Fairfield win streak in 20 years (1986-87).

   Cooley's emphasis on academics also became apparent when sophomore Joe Bajda earned a spot on the MAAC All-Academic team in his first year on the team.

   All of this success is no surprise to anyone associated with the men's basketball program. Everyone knew that Cooley's past experience would help the program continue to grow and reach its goal of post-season play on a consistent basis. As an assistant coach, Cooley helped teams garner six NCAA tournament berths as well as a National Invitation Tournament (NIT) pick.

   Cooley's resume boasts coaching assignments at the University of Massachusetts-Dartmouth (1994-95), Stonehill College (1995-96), University of Rhode Island (1996-97), and Boston College (1997-2006). He served 10 years as an assistant coach under Al Skinner, beginning with his one-year stay at Rhode Island through his nine-year stint at Boston College.

   At Boston College, Cooley helped the Eagles post a 175-108 overall record, which included five 20-win seasons. The team captured the 2000-01 Big East championship, earning one of five NCAA tournament berths during Cooley's tenure. The Eagles also advanced to the NIT one time, giving the team six post-season appearances in nine seasons. In 2004-05, Boston College started the season with 20 straight victories, which established a school record for consecutive wins. In 2005-06, Boston College advanced to the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) championship game against Duke University.

He was instrumental in the recruitment of Troy Bell, a two-time Big East Player of the Year. Bell also went on to play professional basketball after leaving Boston College, which included a stint in the NBA with the Memphis Grizzlies.

   A graduate of Stonehill College, Cooley began his coaching career at UMass-Dartmouth where he helped the team post a 25-4 record and a number three national ranking. He returned to his alma mater for one season, before joining Coach Skinner's staff at the University of Rhode Island for the 1996-97 campaign. With his assistance, the Rams earned their second NCAA tournament bid in five years.

   Cooley played basketball from 1990-94 at Stonehill College. He was a three-year team captain with the Chieftans, and also captured Northeast-10 Academic Honor Roll accolades. He secured two Rhode Island High School Player of the Year awards before attending Stonehill College.