According to reports, Louisville has reportedly asked for permission to speak to Kentucky assistant Kenny Payne.
Several reports have stated that Louisville’s primary target is Xavier head coach Chris Mack.
Here’s the latest:
The Louisville athletic department has asked Kentucky for permission to speak to Associate Head Coach Kenny Payne about their open coaching vacanacy, multiple sources tells @247Sports.
— Evan Daniels (@EvanDaniels) March 24, 2018
,@DickieV says Louisville basketball job is Chris Mack's "if he wants it," but U of L has asked for permission to talk to UK assistant Kenny Payne, a former Card who has support from group of ex-players. https://t.co/ylKg1IGYBt #L1C4
— WDRB News (@WDRBNews) March 24, 2018
Here’s an excerpt from that article:
ESPN college basketball analyst Dick Vitale said he has been told the job will be offered to Mack, but a source said U of L interim athletic director Vince Tyra asked UK athletic director Mitch Barnhart and coach John Calipari for permission to talk to Payne.
Tyra did not return a phone call Saturday to discuss the coaching situation, which opened Wednesday when Tyra announced that interim coach David Padgett will not continue as head coach. Padgett took charge last fall after the school dismissed Rick Pitino.
Vitale said that he has been told the offer to Mack will be for at least $4 million a year for five or six seasons.
“Chris Mack has the job if he wants it,” Vitale said. “He just has to decide if he wants it.
“I think he’ll take it, but there’s a slight chance he’ll stay at Xavier. Who knows what will happen when he sits in the room and talks to the people at Xavier. (Former North Carolina State coach) Jimmy Valvano always told me, ‘Don’t mess with happy,’ and if he’s happy at Xavier, maybe he will stay.
“Until somebody signs on the dotted line, it’s never a done deal.”
