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Bill Reynolds: PC’s Cooley is a portrait in leadership

PROVIDENCE — He is the first African-American male head basketball coach in Providence College’s long basketball history.

But that’s not the only thing that makes Ed Cooley unique.

He also is the first native Rhode Islander to coach the Friars in the so-called modern era.

And the best part?

He is a national coaching star in the making, the right guy at the right time at the right school, as if delivered to PC by Central Casting. His record (154-97 since 2011) tells us that. His presence tells us that. His personality tells us that.