Louisville basketball turnaround has been one of the biggest surprises in this 2024-2025 season.
Cardinals had a 12-52 record under Kenny Payne in his two years at UofL, including 8-24 this past season, and 4-28 the year prior. Payne was released from Louisville, and would be replaced by current head coach, Pat Kelsey.
The culture change from last season with Payne to this current season with Kelsey is one of the main reasons this Cardinals team is winning so quickly. Kelsey has one of the best connections and bonds with his players in the whole nation, but also has had great connection with the fans and student body as well.
He is now leading this team to a successful season, and he is bringing Louisville basketball back to relevancy. It is no secret Cardinals faithful are one of the best in the country, but Pat Kelsey this past game demonstrated emotion, and thanks to his mom he ended up doing the Pat Kelsey staple.
Pat Kelsey shows 'gratitude' to Louisville basketball faithful
Louisville fan base deserves a lot of credit as they had to suffer through some tough seasons last few years, and Pat Kelsey realizes that and shows his gratitude.
Pat Kelsey is famously known for going into the crowd and getting the fans excited in his past, but he didn't do that with Louisville, until their win over Miami. Kelsey jumped into the crowd and was electrifying the KFC Yum! Center after the win, and gave all the praise to the student body in his press conference.
"It was time." Kelsey stated. "We say never delay gratitude, and I delayed gratitude a little bit too much. They have been awesome."
KFC Yum! Center has been electric all-season long and can sit up to 22,090, and the student body has been doing their parts. Pat Kelsey culture at Louisville is filling the seats up and he is the spark this basketball program was craving.
Kelsey had nothing but praise to the student body after the win, and said something very humbling and should have Cardinals fans smiling and feeling appreciated for the first time in years.
"The student body is the heart and soul of a basketball program." Kelsey stated. "I say all the time, it is not my program, it is not our players program, great college basketball program is when the student body has ownership of the program, and they were a factor today."
"They have been coming with big numbers, they have been loud, they are not just sitting and enjoying the game on their phone. They are making a difference and they deserved to be thanked." Kelsey stated.
Pat Kelsey alluded that he was actually at his daughters 16th birthday and his mom told him to thank the students and all his response was, "yes ma'am."
On Monday, Pat Kelsey was asked if this will become something he will start doing more, or how he decides when the time is right, and his answer once again praised this amazing fan base.
"I think it will just work itself out, it is not something I am going to do every game that is for sure." Kelsey stated on jumping into the crowds and celebrating his win in the stands. "What's awesome about Louisville is just how crazy and passionate in a positive way that this fan base is for this basketball program."
Pat Kelsey has made an immediate impact on Louisville basketball program, as the program was last in the ACC last year with an embarrassing 3-17 record in conference play and 8-24 overall. Cardinals started out 6-5 but rattled off 10 straight, and are now 18-6 and have won 12 of their last 13.
Louisville is not only heading in the right direction with Pat Kelsey, but he has flipped this program completely around and has recruited extremely well. Cardinals have landed McDonalds All-American Mikel Brown Jr, and are a possible destination for Nate Ament.
Kelsey gratitude to the fan base was a gesture that did not go unnoticed and the beloved Cardinals coach is hopefully here for a long time.