Louisville interim head coach Mike Pegues updates Malik Williams status

It’s certainly been a rollercoaster ride of a season for Louisville men’s basketball, but the Cardinals have finally received some good news that should benefit them down the stretch.

After being suspended for not upholding program standards and missing Louisville’s last two games against Syracuse and North Carolina, Cardinals’ fifth-year senior forward Malik Williams has returned to the team this week, interim head coach Mike Pegues announced Monday.

According to Pegues, who is serving as Louisville’s interim head coach after the school and former head coach Chris Mack parted ways, he – alongside Cardinals’ interim athletic director Josh Heird – met with Williams and his mother and agreed to allow Williams to return if he “can be the guy we expect him to be on the court and in the locker room.”

“With the rank of being a captain, [comes] the responsibility of carrying yourself differently,” Pegues said Monday on the ACC coaches teleconference. “And on the worst day being able to come in and be compliant, be competitive and bring energy and not drain energy from the jump. There was too much of that going on in my opinion, which created the situation in the first place where I felt like I had to suspend him.”

Following his suspension, Williams – who is averaging 10.0 points and 8.7 rebounds per game – is set to be back on the court with the Cardinals (11-12 overall, 5-8 ACC) on Wednesday at Notre Dame. Tipoff is scheduled for 7 p.m. ET on ESPNU.

Details emerge on Louisville plans for basketball head coaching search

As the men’s basketball head coaching search gets going, Louisville will be using outside help for aid, the school announced Monday. Louisville has “engaged the services” of DHR to help them find a new coach.

Interim athletic director Josh Heird released a statement on Monday regarding the situation. He said the goal is to hire the correct coach to lead the Cardinals back to glory.

“Identifying the right coach to lead our premier college basketball program is my focus,” said Heird. “With the assistance of DHR, which has extensive experience in the athletics search space, we will conduct a comprehensive, inclusive and expeditious search for the next head coach to lead our storied program.”

Glenn Sugiyama, managing partner of global sports practice for DHR, will be the lead for DHR in the search. He is a former member of the board of directors of the Chicago Bulls and coached Division I basketball as well.

“I am honored to help Josh and the University of Louisville in their search for a new head men’s basketball coach,” said Sugiyama. “The University has a rich tradition of athletics’ excellence and a storied basketball program, and I respect the importance of this search for the program, students and alumni.”

On3’s Griffin McVeigh contributed to this report.