Pat Kelsey 'humbled and honored' to be next Louisville head coach

After an exhaustive search, Louisville zeroed in on College of Charleston coach Pat Kelsey as the program’s next head men’s basketball coach.

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.

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“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 has 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. 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.

Louisville brass welcomed him to the program on Thursday afternoon.

“We couldn’t be more thrilled to welcome Pat Kelsey as our new men’s basketball coach,” Heird said. “Pat has proven his ability to build multiple programs to an elite level. He garners great respect as a coach, manager, communicator and motivator who will build strong bonds with his student-athletes, coaches and our fan base.

“Pat understands the expectations of this storied program and will attack this opportunity with unmatched enthusiasm and work ethic. We’re looking forward to having him, his wife Lisa and their children become part of the best community in college athletics.”