Kenny Payne Reportedly To Be Let Go By Louisville Within the Next 24 Hours
By Caleb Hall
The Louisville Cardinals fell the NC State Wolfpack earlier tonight and it has seemingly sealed Kenny Payne's fate, in that he will not be returning for a year three in Louisville.
The news was first reported by Jeff Goodman from The Field of 68:
🚨BREAKING🚨: @LouisvilleMBB has parted ways with Head Coach Kenny Payne. ( Sources told @TheFieldof68 ) pic.twitter.com/utJusMIUxC
— The Field of 68 (@TheFieldOf68) March 13, 2024
In the coming 2 hours multiple other reliable sources would recite the same information, including ESPN senior insider Pete Thamel. Most Cardinal fans already knew Payne's fate from his incredibly underwhelming record of 12-52 in two seasons at Louisville.
Source: Louisville officials expect to inform coach Kenny Payne within the next 24 hours that he will not return as men's basketball coach. He’s yet to speak with AD Josh Heird since losing in the ACC Tournament earlier today.
— Pete Thamel (@PeteThamel) March 13, 2024
A public and official decision on Payne should be made on wednesday, as athletic director Josh Heird looks to fire Payne, as Louisville looks to begin another head basketball coaching search. Payne has won one road game in his last 2 seasons, 5 ACC wins, and only 12 wins overall, with 4 coming in his disastrous first season.
The start to this season was not ideal for Payne, but after the road loss to now a 3-win DePaul team and a double digit home loss to Arkansas State his fate was seemingly sealed.
The Kenny Payne era at Louisville looks to end in the next 24 hours.