Louisville officially announces alumnus Kenny Payne as next head coach

Louisville made it official Friday morning. Kenny Payne is the Cardinals’ new men’s basketball coach.

Louisville announced Payne is signing a six-year contract through the 2027-28 season in a press release. The university board approved the terms Friday morning, and it’s a return to college after spending two full seasons in the NBA with the New York Knicks. Payne previously served as an assistant at Kentucky from 2010-20, rising from assistant coach to associate head coach from 2014-20.

“I want to thank President Gonzalez and [athletic director] Josh Heird for this incredible opportunity to return to a place that means so much to me to lead our storied basketball program,” Payne said in a statement. “While there are challenges, I see opportunities, and if we are united and aligned, there is nothing that we cannot accomplish.

“Our fans and community deserve a championship basketball program fueled by exceptional and high-character student-athletes, and it is my responsibility to deliver on that vision. I cannot wait to get started.”

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Payne played at Louisville from 1985-89 and had an 11-year professional basketball career, including a stint with the Philadelphia 76ers, before diving into coaching. As a player, he helped the Cardinals to the 1986 national title. He got his coaching start at Oregon from 2004-09 before joining forces with John Calipari at Kentucky. While there, he was part of another national championship in 2012.

Now, after a stint in the NBA, he’s heading back to his alma mater to take over his first college head coaching job. He’ll replace Chris Mack, who left the program earlier this season.

“As I stated when we began this process in early February, the University of Louisville is a destination job and the strength of our candidate pool proved this out,” athletic director Josh Heird said in a statement. “After a thorough national search during which we sat down with a number of expectational coaches, it was clear that Kenny Payne was what we need.

“His basketball knowledge, his passion for his student-athletes, his vision for our program and his understanding of what Louisville Basketball means to our city and to our institution, are evident. I am thrilled to welcome Kenny and Michelle, and their children, Alexis and Zan, to the University of Louisville.”

Louisville finished the year 13-19 overall and 6-14 in ACC action under interim coach Mike Pegues. The Cardinals saw their season come to an end in the conference tournament in a 51-50 loss to Virginia on March 9.