News Summary
As the new college basketball season nears, coaches Kim English, Archie Miller, and Mike Martin face increasing pressure due to lackluster performance records. Providence College, URI, and Brown University each have their own struggles, with significant roster changes and expectations looming over their coaching futures. With teams filled with transfers and freshmen, these coaches must navigate heightened scrutiny as they aim for improved standings in their respective conferences.
Providence, Rhode Island
As Rhode Island gears up for the new college basketball season, all three returning Division I men’s basketball coaches from the state are facing mounting pressures, reflected in their less-than-stellar records. Kim English at Providence College, Archie Miller at the University of Rhode Island, and Mike Martin at Brown University are all in precarious positions as their respective teams struggle to meet expectations.
Providence College, under the leadership of Kim English, currently holds a record of 33-34 overall and 16-24 in the Big East, translating to a 40% winning percentage. After a challenging season that saw the team suffer 20 losses, Providence is demanding improvement. The athletic department has reportedly invested between $8 to $10 million into Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) deals for players, indicating a significant financial commitment to enhance team performance. As part of this overall strategy, there is a strong expectation that English will lead the team back to NCAA tournament contention.
However, recent frustrations have surfaced, with English openly expressing discontent regarding media coverage of the team and performance expectations as the new season approaches. The pressure on him is compounded by a major roster overhaul, which has included the departure of several key players, notably leading scorer Bensley Joseph and star forward Bryce Hopkins. While English has key returning players such as Corey Floyd and Oswin Erhunmwunse, the overall uncertainty of the roster due to various transfers poses fresh challenges for the team’s chemistry and performance consistency.
Meanwhile, across the state, the University of Rhode Island’s Archie Miller finds himself in a similar situation. With a disappointing overall record of 39-55 and only 18 wins in the Atlantic-10 Conference during his three years, Miller has struggled to bring the Rams back to NCAA tournament play, a drought that has lasted since the 2017-18 season. Pre-season predictions rank URI 12th in the Atlantic-10, with only La Salle and Fordham placed lower. With such low expectations, the pressure is on Miller to demonstrate improvement and lead URI back to a higher competitive standing.
Lastly, Mike Martin at Brown University appears to face a slightly less intense spotlight, although his position remains vulnerable. With an overall coaching record of 162-184, his team has failed to qualify for the Ivy League playoffs in recent seasons. The administration at Brown is likely seeking signs of progress this upcoming season as they weigh the future of the program under Martin’s direction.
The context for all three coaches is that Providence College has a storied basketball legacy, where NCAA tournament appearances are a prevailing expectation. Historically, the college has acted decisively to dismiss coaches who could not meet performance standards in recent years. This culture of high expectations magnifies the stakes for each coach as they navigate a demanding schedule and a roster needing cohesive development.
As the new season approaches, both Providence and URI are tasked with handling teams filled with a mix of transfers and freshmen, which may affect their ability to build effective synergy and achieve desired performance. Each team will play a 20-game league schedule, competing against their conference opponents twice, which will provide ample opportunity to assess their standings and potential for improvement throughout the season.
With such extensive changes and heightened expectations, the upcoming college basketball season in Rhode Island promises to be a pivotal one for all three coaches trying to turn around their teams’ fortunes.
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Additional Resources
- Friars: Men’s Basketball Announces 2025-26 Big East Conference Schedule
- Wikipedia: Providence College
- Providence Journal: Providence College Basketball to Play in Maui Invitational in 2026
- Google Search: Providence College basketball
- Friars: Men’s Basketball Announces Non-Conference Schedule
- Google Scholar: Providence College basketball
- Friars: Men’s Basketball to Face Harvard in an Exhibition Game
- Encyclopedia Britannica: College Basketball
Author: STAFF HERE PROVIDENCE WRITER
The PROVIDENCE STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREProvidence.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Providence, Providence County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as WaterFire, Rhode Island International Film Festival, and Rhode Island Comic Con. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Greater Providence Chamber of Commerce and Providence Warwick Convention & Visitors Bureau, plus leading businesses in finance and manufacturing that power the local economy such as Citizens Financial Group and Textron. As part of the broader HERE network, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Rhode Island's dynamic landscape.
