Holy Cross Will Name Bill Carmody Next Head Coach

The national search for the next head coach of the Holy Cross Crusaders appears to be at its end and the man for the job is former Princeton Tigers and Northwestern Wildcats coach Bill Carmody. ESPN confirmed this news with multiple sources and the college plans to announce the hiring at a news conference on Thursday

Andy Katz published the story and his report was later confirmed by co-worker Jeff Goodman.

5-year deal. RT @ESPNAndyKatz: Sent to ESPN: Sources -- Bill Carmody to be named next head coach at Holy Cross.

— Jeff Goodman (@GoodmanESPN) March 18, 2015

Carmody made his mark in college hoops as an assistant under legendary Princeton coach Pete Carril. He took over the head job in 1996, leading the Tigers for four seasons before leaving to take over at Northwestern where he was at the helm through the 2012-13 season. He spent the last season as a special assistant at Fairfield.

Carmody has a career record of 284-235 and has won at least 20 games in a season five times. He replaces Milan Brown, who went 69-83 in his time on Mount St. James.

The Crusaders expect to return key pieces in Malachi Alexander, Cullen Hamilton, and Eric Green but will need to replace leading scorers Malcolm Miller and Justin Burrell. Holy Cross went 20-12 is 2013-14 but took a major step back this season, leading to Brown's dismissal.

Carmody brings with him years of experience recruiting and coaching at this level of college basketball and his track record is one that should excite fans of both Holy Cross and the Patriot League. This position has been something of a revolving door since Ralph Willard's departure, but Carmody could bring the stability the new administration is looking for.