Louisville announces hiring of Pat Kelsey as the Cardinals’ next head men’s basketball coach
Pat Kelsey has been hired as the new head coach at Louisville, the school announced on Thursday. Kelsey is coming off a successful three-year run at College of Charleston, where he led the Cougars to back-to-back CAA titles and NCAA Tournament appearances.
“We couldn’t be more thrilled to welcome Pat Kelsey as our new men’s basketball coach,” AD Josh 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.”
Kelsey made a name for himself during a nine-year stint as head coach at Winthrop, leading the Eagles to two NCAA Tournaments and an overall record of 186-95. At Charleston, he quickly built the program up from 17-15 in year one to 31 wins in his second season.
“I am humbled and honored to be named the head coach at the University of Louisville,” Kelsey said. “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.”
Louisville and Kelsey are looking at a major rebuild, coming off an absolutely disastrous two-year run under head coach Kenny Payne, who was hired to great fanfare but preceded to win just 12 total games and finish in last place in the ACC both years. The once great Louisville program has struggled in the post-Pitino years, but hit a new rock bottom under Payne that should take at least several years to dig out of.
credit to Louisville Athletics for the image
