Pat Kelsey dives headfirst into the Kentucky-Louisville rivalry

Following a tough couple years for Louisville basketball, new head coach Pat Kelsey is delivering a spike of energy the program desperately needed.

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Kelsey’s introductory press conference was full of energy, with the former Charleston and Winthrop coach cracking jokes and providing an electric performance at the podium to let fans know that he is bringing all the passion necessary for leading a program like Louisville. On Friday, he even poked at the rivals right down I-64.

Kelsey isn’t approaching the Cards’ rivalry with Kentucky in a friendly manner, and made a declaration of war towards the Wildcats with this statement, which he tweeted out:

“Every piece of blue has been eliminated from my wardrobe. The Revival has begun. The ReviVILLE has begun. The passion in the minds & hearts of Card Nation is like no other.”

As part of his “ReviVILLE” tweet, Kelsey quoted John Adams, the second president in United States history: “The revolution commenced before the war began. It was in the minds and hearts of the people.”

Kentucky fans, you’ve been warned.

More on Kelsey’s hiring

The university announced the hire as official on Thursday afternoon. A press conference to introduce Kelsey will follow later in the day.

Kelsey received a five-year contract, taking him through the 2028-29 season.

“I am humbled and honored to be named the head coach at the University of Louisville,” Kelsey said in a press release. “I would like to thank Josh Heird, President Schatzel, the Board of Trustees and ULAA Board, former UofL players and all of Card Nation for entrusting me to lead one of the great programs in all of college basketball.

“Coaching giants that I have tremendous respect and reverence for led Cardinal basketball to national prominence during their era. It is my charge to help this great program return to its rightful place as one of college basketball’s best.”

Pat Kelsey just finished his third season at College of Charleston, where he produced two NCAA Tournament appearances. The Cougars 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 opening round after earning a 13-seed, falling to Alabama 109-96 in an up-and-down contest in Kelsey’s final game with the program.

On3’s Thomas Goldkamp also contributed to this report