Louisville has agreed to terms with Charleston’s Pat Kelsey as its next basketball coach, CBS Sports’ Matt Norlander reported. According to Cardinal Authority’s Jody Demling, Kelsey will be introduced following board approval Thursday. Following Dusty May’s decision to take the Michigan job, the Cardinals immediately targeted Kelsey, who helped his program reach the NCAA Tournament this month before losing to Alabama in the opening round.
The Louisville job has been a revolving door of muck in recent seasons. Five head coaches — including interims — have coached Louisville in the last eight years, which includes only one NCAA Tournament appearance since 2017. The Cardinals have lost 52 games over the last two seasons alone, per Cardinal Authority.
Denny Crum and Rick Pitino each won big at Louisville, which features a passionate fanbase and a city that craves winning. This program’s tenure in the ACC since Pitino’s exit following the 2016–17 season has been forgettable with a single NCAA Tournament appearance since. The football program’s had no issues with talent acquisition in the NIL era and this is a basketball school.
Kelsey, who comes from a mid-major, should like what he sees in terms of support.
Get football and recruiting scoop on your favorite college team for $1 for first month.
Louisville is considered one of college basketball’s best jobs because the Cardinals are in position to be successful as a perennial contender, have expansive brand appeal and fan support along with the overall health of the program. All it takes is one difference-making signing class or portal haul and this group can rebound. The resources are in place and there’s no worry internally with being lapped by the competition in the NIL era.
