Pete Thamel: Louisville, Pat Kelsey agree to five-year deal to be men's basketball coach

According to ESPN’s Pete Thamel, the Louisville Cardinals and Pat Kelsey have agreed on a five-year contract to make him the next men’s basketball coach. Reports emerged earlier on Wednesday of Kelsey being the target of athletic director Josh Heird.

Now, the two sides seem to be making progress and nearly have gotten to the deal over the finish line. If things continue to trend in the right direction, Kelsey will be the man to take over for Kenny Payne.

“Louisville has agreed in principle to a five-year deal to make Pat Kelsey the school’s next head coach, per ESPN sources,” Thamel said via X.

Kelsey is wrapping up his third season at College of Charleston, making the NCAA Tournament as CAA regular season and conference tournament champions on both occasions. Unfortunately, two losses followed. San Diego State in 2022 wound up making the national championship game while Alabama is currently in the Sweet Sixteen, hoping to match the Aztecs.

Louisville will be tasking Kelsey to accomplish something similar in the ACC. A conference championship banner has not been hung in the KFC Yum! Center since 2014, although it was vacated. On record, the program’s last title came in 2009 as members of the Big East.

Richard Pitino removed from consideration at Louisville

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.