Kenny Payne hired to John Calipari's staff at Arkansas

An unlikely reunion in an unlikely situation — former Louisville head coach Kenny Payne has been hired on as an assistant by Arkansas head coach John Calipari, the school announced.

Payne will serve as Arkansas’ associate head coach.

Payne and Calipari previously worked together at Kentucky from 2010-2020, including playing the role of associate head coach for the Wildcats under the new Razorbacks coach from 2014 until his departure. Together, Payne was on the staff for six SEC Tournament Championships, four Final Four appearances and one national championship in 2012.

On top of that, Payne helped Calipari compile top three recruiting classes in every season he was in Lexington, including five No. 1 classes. Even at Louisville, Payne spearheaded a top-10 class ahead of the 2023-24 college basketball season.

He left Kentucky in 2020 to become an assistant on the New York Knicks’ staff. After two seasons in the pros, Payne was hired by his alma mater, Louisville, in 2022. He was let go after two years.

Historic lows for the Louisville program under the Payne regime included a four-win season in 2022 that saw the Cardinals finish 2-18 in conference play, and that’s just what is on paper. The 2023 campaign wasn’t much better as Louisville finished with an 8-24 overall record and a 3-17 mark in ACC action, leading the school to part ways with its national championship-winning alum.

Cracks were already beginning to show when Louisville lost to Lenoir-Rhyne by double digits during Payne’s first public outing as head coach. While it was a preseason exhibition, things were not going to get better and was ousted from his position.

However, Payne was at his best while teaming up with Calipari and was known for helping develop some of Kentucky’s former stars early in their stay in Lexington.

Despite coaching against one another at rival programs, Calipari always stuck up for his longtime assistant. During Louisville’s lowest points, Calipari defended Payne by urging the Cardinals’ athletic department to stick with him. However, that didn’t end up being the case after Louisville finished at the bottom of the ACC for the second time in two seasons under Payne.

Now, the stars have aligned and the two come together once again, this time in Fayetteville. As Calipari continues to build his initial staff, it’s clear that the new Arkansas coach is building a group around him that have a history of success working together. Payne certainly sits tops that list of Calipari’s former staffers.