Why Louisville Splits From Chris Mack And Potential Replacements For Cardinals . Men’s Basketball Coach
Louisville and men’s basketball head coach Chris Mack appear to be preparing for a divorce.
According to multiple reports, a formal meeting between the university’s Board of Trustees and the Athletics Board was scheduled for Wednesday to approve the separation. First news reported by The Athletic. Although he is only in the fourth season of his seven-year deal with the Cardinals, reports speculate that the 64-52 loss to Virginia on Monday night was his last game on the sidelines at Louisville. .
The possibility of a breakup increased even further when Mack’s radio show was canceled on Tuesday night.
The decision to move in from Mack comes at a time of uncertainty for Louisville, led by interim sporting director Josh Heird. The Cardinals are also without a full-time school principal following the recent departure of Neeli Bendapudi to Penn State.
After confirming the separation agreement this weekend, according to Jon Rothstein, assistant Mike Pegues will take over as interim head coach before the Cardinals next game at home against Duke.
As @SethDavisHoops Chris Mack will not return as Louisville head coach, a source confirmed. The official announcement is expected on Wednesday.
Assistant Mike Pegues is expected to be Louisville’s interim head coach, starting with Saturday’s game against Duke.
– Jon Rothstein (@JonRothstein) January 25, 2022
Mack’s acquisition is about $12 million, which can be negotiated down as part of a separation settlement.
After leading Xavier for nine seasons, Mack was hired by Louisville in 2018 on a seven-year agreement worth about $4 million per season. He helped the Cardinals win a 7th seed and a trip to the NCAA’s March Crazy Tournament in his first year with the program.
Louisville came in 11-9 overall and 5-5 ahead of the ACC after losing five of its past six games.
Mack has suspended without pay for many games at the start of the season in the investigation of his former assistant, Dino Gaudio. The NCAA investigation uncovered several violations in Louisville, and Gaudio was sentenced to one year of probation and fined $10,000 for attempting to blackmail Mack.
WDRB reporter Rick Bozich spoke to the Louisville players on Tuesday about the staffing change.
I spoke with three former Louisville players about the news regarding Cardinal basketball.
They are all ready to move on with Chris Mack today.
“This is a real mess,” said one.
– rickbozich (@rickbozich) January 25, 2022
While Pegues will temporarily take over coaching responsibilities, Louisville will be looking for potential candidates. WLKY reporter Dominique Yates has been speculating about replacing Louisville head coach.
The source tells me, if Chris Mack is no longer Louisville coach, here are some names that are of interest:
Kenny Payne
Bruce Pearl
Will Wade
Nate’s OatsNot saying there was interest from Louisville, but I told Pearl “would love it.”
Payne is also very profitable.– Dominique Yates (@RealDYates) January 25, 2022
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With a loss to Virginia on Monday night, the Cardinals marked their fifth loss against conference rivals and fell to a record 11-9 (5-5 ACC) of the season. Louisville will have a shot at breaking their slump as they prepare to host Duke on Saturday at 12pm ET.
