Kenny Payne reveals why he took Louisville job

Louisville basketball has had their fair share of struggles the last few years. Whether it was their investigations by the NCAA, the ends of both Rick Pitino and Chris Mack, or their 26-26 record the last two seasons, the Cardinals hadn’t had good news in quite some time. That shifted once former player Kenny Payne took the head coaching job this spring.

After assistant coaching stops with Oregon, Kentucky, and the New York Knicks, Payne is returning to Louisville for his first head coaching gig. He was a part of Kentucky staffs that reached four Final Fours and won a championship in 2012. From 1985 to 1989, Payne averaged 8.5 points per game and won a championship with the Cardinals program.

The ACC Digital Network recently interviewed Payne. When it came to returning to Louisville, Payne says it was because of the current state of the program.

“I always believed that Louisville was one of the best basketball programs in all of college ball,” said Payne. “For whatever reason, it wasn’t up to that standard.”

From the fall of 2015 with the release of Katina Powell’s book regarding the misconduct in Pitino’s program to the FBI’s probe into college basketball, the Cardinal program had suffered. They’ve since had to vacate 123 wins, including their 2012 Final Four appearance and 2013 National Championship.

For Payne, this isn’t about himself getting the head job he’s been owed. It’s about redeeming a program he played for all those years ago.

“If I’m the vessel that can help it get back to where it needs to be, (I’m) glad to do it.”

Payne has gotten off to a strong start with three commitments to join next year’s team. From there, it’s what he does for the Cardinals on the court that will count.