After being fired as the head coach of Providence, former Rick Barnes Era Tennessee basketball assistant coach Kim English was reportedly set to join Mike Malone’s first staff as the head coach at North Carolina. However, on Sunday, ESPN reporter Pete Thamel reported that English is changing course and no longer plans to join UNC’s staff.
English coached Providence for three seasons, but never could match the success he had in his first year. During the 2023-24 campaign, he led the Friars to a 21-14 (10-10 Big East) record and NIT appearance. The following two years, he had a losing record.
Prior to being hired at Providence, he head-coached two seasons at George Mason. In his second year, he went 20-13 (11-7 A10). His first season saw him earn a 14-16 (7-9) mark.
Sources: Kim English has informed UNC officials that he’s decided not to pursue an assistant coach position at North Carolina. English is the former head coach at Providence College and George Mason. pic.twitter.com/4wVVh4QcOM
Advertisement— Pete Thamel (@PeteThamel) April 19, 2026
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English coached at Tennessee from 2019-21. He replaced the departing Rob Lanier from Barnes’ staff, who left for a head coaching job at Georgia State. Prior to his time in Knoxville, he served as an assistant at Colorado and Tulsa.
English played college basketball at Missouri, where he was a two-time Third-Team All-Big 12 member and 2012 Big 12 Tournament Most Outstanding Player. He had a brief stint in the NBA with the Detroit Pistons before playing overseas ahead of his coaching career.
Tennessee had an opening on its staff this off-season after associate head coach Justin Gainey departed for the head coaching role at NC State. However, the spot has already been filled by Earl Grant. Grant previously served as Boston College’s head coach. It’s currently unclear what English’s plan is for this upcoming season.
