Report: Louisville closing in on deal with College of Charleston's Pat Kelsey

The Louisville Cardinals appear to have their next college basketball coach lined up, according to a report from analyst Jeff Goodman. The College of Charleston‘s Pat Kelsey appears to be the guy.

Goodman reported that Louisville is “closing in on a deal” with Kelsey and that, “barring a last-minute breakdown in negotiations,” a deal is expected.

Kelsey is in his third season at College of Charleston, where he has produced two NCAA Tournament appearances. The Cougars have won 58 games in the past two seasons, even reaching 31 wins during the 2022-23 campaign.

They reached the NCAA Tournament this year but failed to make it past the Round of 32 after earning a 13-seed. College of Charleston fell to Alabama 109-96 in an up-and-down-the-floor game.

Prior to his time at College of Charleston, Kelsey spent nine years as the head coach at Winthrop. He made two NCAA Tournament appearances there. The Eagles won at least 20 games in five of Kelsey’s nine seasons.

In total as a head coach Kelsey has put together a 261-122 (.681) record.

Richard Pitino remained at New Mexico

One reported target for Louisville in its head coaching search before Pat Kelsey emerged as the guy was New Mexico‘s Richard Pitino. Pitino had reportedly been in talks with Louisville brass.

But on Wednesday morning, reports emerged from Adam Zagoria that Pitino intended to remain at New Mexico and was no longer in the running for the New Mexico job.

Pitino had garnered interest after New Mexico reached the NCAA Tournament this year by winning the Mountain West. The Lobos fell to Clemson to exit the NCAA Tournament in the first round.

The 41-year-old head coach won 26 games with the Lobos this season, an improvement from 22 wins in Pitino’s second year and 13 wins his first year. In three years, Pitino has a 61-41 record.