Louisville intends to part ways with coach Kenny Payne, following his two-season tenure marked by a 12-52 record, as disclosed by a person familiar with the matter to The Associated Press late Tuesday night.
The source, speaking anonymously, revealed that Louisville officials had not yet held discussions with Payne regarding his dismissal. Following the Cardinals’ 94-85 defeat to North Carolina State in the Atlantic Coast Conference Tournament on Tuesday, Payne stated he had not been informed about his status with the program.
In response to inquiries about advocating for a return for a third season, Payne reiterated the necessity for support and time to rebuild his alma mater, echoing sentiments expressed during his introduction in March 2022. He emphasized the need to assess those who stood by the program and those who did not.
“We sort of forgot that,” Payne remarked multiple times, underscoring his commitment to a three- to four-year timeline to revitalize the program.
During the current season, Payne’s record stood at 8-24, with a 3-17 mark in the ACC, and Tuesday’s loss marked the eighth consecutive defeat for the Cardinals. With just five wins in ACC play, Louisville holds a 1-28 away record under Payne, who signed a six-year contract through 2028, featuring an $8 million buyout by April 1. Payne received an annual salary of $3.35 million, plus incentives.
Hired amidst public clamor for his return to the Cardinals following Chris Mack’s dismissal, Payne, a former 1,000-point scorer under Denny Crum, faced challenges in translating his recruitment and player development expertise into success in his first head coaching role.
Louisville endured a dismal 4-28 season last year, which saw the program record its highest number of losses in history. Despite initial setbacks, Athletic Director Josh Heird expressed confidence in Payne, affirming his coaching role into the new year.
However, as losses continued to accumulate, attendance at the home arena dwindled significantly, while Payne faced criticism for post-game remarks and the handling of player departures.
