On Monday afternoon, Pat Kelsey learned he won the ACC Coach of the Year Award.
Kelsey broke multiple records in his first season at Louisville basketball, and this Cardinals program is back and better than ever. Kelsey secured a 25-6 record and an 18-2 ACC record this season. Both win totals are a new program record, as the Cardinals' 25 wins is the biggest improvement in the win category in consecutive seasons. UofL had just eight wins last season, marking an improvement of 17 wins.
Louisville basketball's Pat Kelsey earns ACC Coach of the Year
The Cardinals had 12 ACC wins total in the previous two seasons, and Kelsey came into UofL and secured a program-record 18 wins in conference play. Kelsey and his Cardinals won 15 ACC games by double-digit points. Louisville basketball has 19 wins on the season by 10 points or more, 10 wins by 15 points or more, eight wins by 20 points or more, four wins by 25 or more, two wins by 30 points or more, and their biggest win coming by 48 points or more.
Kelsey has led this team to nine wins on the road by 16.4 per game, ranking No. 3 in the country, only behind Duke and Auburn. Pat Kelsey's season at UofL has been second to none, as he is also a finalist for the Naismith Men's College Coach of the Year
Pat Kelsey has won 11 conference championships in his coaching career with Winthrop and Charleston and has made four NCAA Tournament appearances. Kelsey's ability to turn this program around this quickly is why this season is so remarkable. College basketball is always better with Louisville relevant, and to see the Cardinals go from 12 wins combined in the last two seasons to 25-6 is something fans couldn't have dreamed of.
Kelsey is the Cardinals' 24th head coach in Louisville’s 111-year history, and he has made his mark on the history books with impressive records.
Louisville basketball has secured a double bye in the ACC Tournament and will play on March 13 at 7:00 p.m. local time. Pat Kelsey will look to rewrite history once more and secure the Cardinal's first ACC Title.