LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Some final thoughts as the University of Louisville is once again searching for how to turn around what was once one of the legendary basketball teams in our country.
Over the years, WHAS11 News has joined you too many times with firings at UofL that involved scandals or major controversy.
In this case folks, none of that applies to Kenny Payne.
He got fired because he didn't win enough games, plus the financial losses were mounting for the university.
Tuesday night, the coach did not take the blame, instead saying the fans and other people bailed on him, not understanding that the turnaround effort he faced was like trying to save the 'Titanic.'
I was cheering for Kenny Payne. Why not? He's a Louisville guy, and he also said on day one that he knew that he carried a important mission for the Black community. The head coaching job could be one of unity.
After all, we are segregated in our churches around here, and our neighborhoods, but we come together in that KFC Yum! Center. But it didn't work.
But the Yum! Center stayed nearly empty.
Kenny Payne leaves as a still beloved former championship Cardinal. He could also be leaving with a hefty $8 million payout. And UofL is back in the same boat; after all, they are still paying Chris Mack $133,000 a month until 2025.
The titanic job now shifts to someone else.
That's my opinion on the Proffitt Report. Email me at dproffitt@whas11.com for yours.
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