The University of Louisville has found their new head men’s basketball coach.
Despite some speculation, University of Mexico head coach Richard Pitino decided that he will remain with the program after turning down an offer to become the University of Louisville’s head coach.
Pitino is of course the son of legendary college basketball head coach Rick Pitino who is currently the head coach at St. John’s University and previously led Louisville to a National Championship in 2013.
This has led Louisville to look elsewhere and apparently, they have done so successfully as they are reportedly finalizing an agreement with College of Charleston head coach, Pat Kelsey.
Louisville’s basketball program has been in shambles for quite some time as they haven’t made the NCAA Tournament since 2019.
Louisville had signed former head coach Kenny Payne to a six-year contract in March of 2022, but he lasted just two seasons as he was fired in March of 2024 with a record of 12-52.
Kelsey was head coach at Winthrop from 2012 to 2021 where he led the Eagles to three Big South tournament titles (2017, 2020, and 2021) and was named Big South Coach of the Year in 2021.
Most recently, Kelsey has led the College of Charleston to back-to-back appearances in the NCAA Tournament and was named as the Coach of the Year of the Colonial Athletic Association in 2024.
Kelsey is still in search of his first NCAA tournament win and will be hoping to turn the Louisville basketball program around.
