Report: Chris Mack, Louisville discussing larger buyout amount

It appears the marriage between the Louisville Cardinals’ basketball program and head coach Chris Mack is coming to an abrupt end.

According to ESPN college basketball insider Jeff Borzello, who says while nothing is certain at this point, a major focal point is the buyout number Mack would receive on his way out.

“Louisville is engaged in discussions to separate with coach Chris Mack, sources told me & @PeteThamel,” Borzello tweeted “$12 million buyout part of discussions. Board meeting set for Wednesday. Nothing done; expectation is Mack has coached his final game with the Cardinals.”

As Borzello notes in a piece published on ESPN, a joint meeting between the Board of Trustees and the University of Louisville Athletic Association was suddenly called for Wednesday afternoon “to discuss proposed or pending litigation and personnel matters.” Mack’s future as Louisville’s coach and any potential separation proposal is expected to be discussed at that meeting, according to sources.

Chris Mack’s buyout is approximately $12 million, but a lower number could be negotiated as part of a separation agreement, sources told ESPN.

According to Seth Davis of The Athletic, the Louisville Cardinals and head coach Chris Mack are working toward a separation. Davis says they are in the “final stages of negotiations.”

Louisville has hit hard times under Mack, both on and off the court. Players and the head coach have publicly voiced their frustrations with one another. Mack has said he is having trouble getting his team motivated, while Malik Williams said he didn’t have a comment when asked to respond.

On the court, the Cardinals are currently 5-5 in ACC play and have the last five out of their last six. As things stand, they are in danger of missing a second consecutive NCAA Tournament. It would be the first time the programs did that since they were in Conference USA during the 2000-01 and 2001-02 seasons.

Earlier reports came out on Tuesday surrounding Mack and the program from Pat Forde of Sports Illustrated. He said Mack’s future was being discussed” by school leadership at Louisville. Nothing had been finalized at the time but a potential move could be made soon.

With Davis’ report confirming Mack will be gone, Louisville will have to name an interim head coach before their matchup against Duke on Saturday.

Details on problems for Chris Mack, Louisville

The lack of wins is not why Mack could see his time with the Louisville program could be coming to an end. Players seem to have a disconnect with the head coach, with some of the frustration coming out publically.

After a loss to Notre Dame over the weekend, Louisville forward Malik Williams was asked if the team is responding to the coaching staff or are they tuned out. Williams’ response was less than a ringing endorsement for Mack.

“I don’t have a comment for that,” Williams said.

The question comes after Mack said himself he and his coaching staff were not connecting well with the players. Those comments came after a loss as well, this time, to Pittsburgh nearly a week prior.

“Until I figure out what motivates our group, I don’t see a lot changing,” Mack said following Saturday’s loss.

Mack was suspended without pay for six of Louisville’s games in the month of November this season for his handling of an extortion incident involving former Cardinals’ assistant coach Dino Gaudio. He was away from all team-related activities from Nov. 8 through Nov. 27.