A nightmare period for Louisville males’s basketball seems to be over.
ESPN’s Pete Thamel and Jeff Borzello reported faculty officers plan to fireplace head coach Kenny Payne after a 94-85 loss to North Carolina State within the first spherical of the ACC Event on Tuesday evening.Â
In his postgame presser, Payne appeared to learn the writing on the wall about his destiny as head coach of his alma mater.Â
“After I walked into this system as the brand new head coach, I talked about needing everybody on the identical web page. We form of forgot that,” Payne stated when requested about his future.
“I talked about how I will not allow you to blame me, I am not standing up right here on my own. I would like all of Louisville with me. We form of forgot that. I talked about it taking time, and watching who jumped on and off the Titanic. We form of forgot that. Whether or not I am the coach or not, I can look within the mirror and say I gave it every thing I needed to repair this program,” Payne stated.
Whereas it’s true Payne walked right into a horrific scenario at Louisville (8-24), which endured a number of scandals throughout earlier administrations, he repeatedly has proven he’s unsuited for the job.Â
In his two-year tenure, Payne’s Cardinals are 12-52, with only one win away from the KFC Yum! Middle. In 2022-23, they went 4-28, and whereas that quantity doubled in 2023-24, there have been too many teaching gaffes for Louisville officers to disregard.Â
Following a November loss to Indiana, Payne admitted that Indiana head coach Mike Woodson “tricked” him by taking part in zone protection — one thing he did not have his guys ready for.Â
Simply over every week later (after a uncommon win), Payne talked to reporters about guard Ty-Laur Johnson not taking part in within the first half.Â
Moderately than merely saying it was a crew matter and conserving the problem inside, he threw Johnson underneath the bus by explaining the explanation he did not play within the first half.Â
“I most likely should not inform you this, however we did not have the tights he needed. So he wasn’t positive he needed to play.”
Some will rightly argue that Johnson was being immature, however recruits watching a head coach publicly make these sorts of feedback will take notice.Â
Louisville basketball has a proud historical past of competing for convention and nationwide championships. To regain relevance within the ACC and on the nationwide stage, it wants an skilled program chief.Â
Payne just isn’t that chief.Â
