There will be no new Louisville coach other than Richard Pitino.
The Journal obtained confirmation on Wednesday morning from a source. Pitino was then questioned by The Journal, and he stated that although he had two discussions over the previous three days with the Louisville athletics department regarding their open coaching post, he is no longer a candidate for the role.
An individual with firsthand knowledge of the matter tells The Associated Press that Louisville and College of Charleston coach Pat Kelsey had struck an agreement for Kelsey to become the next men’s basketball coach for the Cardinals. Jeff Goodman of The Field of 68 broke the news of Kelsey’s offer first.
“We spoke twice, and it was all just introductory stuff,” Pitino said of his communication in recent days with Louisville. “Obviously, I worked there for three years, family lived there for 16 years. Have some amazing, amazing memories from there — some hard, but the majority of them were great.
“And it wasn’t something I was looking to pursue, by any means. I wasn’t looking to just outward leave New Mexico, but had a couple introductory conversations. Was never offered a job of any sorts. Hopefully we can continue to keep the momentum going at New Mexico.”
Pitino just wrapped up his third season as coach of the UNM Lobos — rebuilding from a team that won six games the year before he took over to last week ending the program’s decade-long NCAA Tournament drought.
Since the end of the season, Pitino and the Lobos coaching staff have conducted end-of-season interviews with players and have engaged in the transfer portal recruiting process — one that began last week when the portal opened.
Pitino said he was open about his conversations with Louisville in talking with rising junior point guard Donovan Dent and rising sophomores J.T. Toppin and Tru Washington — three prominent players who, in this NIL and transfer portal world, could be considered free agents.
“We met yesterday (Tuesday),” Pitino said, “more about the schedule, moving forward for workouts and making sure we go to class and finish strong academically, and I just told them, I told them the truth. I said, guys, I had one short conversation, one longer conversation with Louisville. I don’t know where it’s all gonna go.
“We are absolutely business as usual here to build a championship program. Having that conversation has nothing to do with New Mexico. I think we all know how special this place is and how much better it’s getting because of the guys in the room. And I will continue to move forward with it.”
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