LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Chris Mack is no longer the University of Louisville men's basketball head coach.
The university's Board of Trustees voted to approve a separation agreement with Mack during a Jan. 26 board meeting. Interim Director of Athletics Josh Heird said the settlement with Mack is for $4.8 million.
Assistant men's basketball coach Mike Pegues will serve as the interim head coach for the remainder of the season.
“Coaching transitions are always difficult, especially during the course of the season, but Chris and I agreed that it is in the best interests of our student-athletes that he step aside immediately,” Heird said in a press release.
Mack spoke to the media ahead of the board meeting and said he wasn't bitter about the university's decision. He said, like everyone else, he wants what's best for the university and its players.
"I'm humble enough that if I'm not the right person, all good man," he said to Will Clark from WHAS Radio. "I just want the best for them. They're great kids. I've loved my time in Louisville. I harbor no bitterness."
Heird said that he has complete confidence in Pegues.
"We have set a high bar for expectations for our basketball program, on and off of the court, and we will continue to strive to meet those goals," Heird said.
After a 12-point loss to Virginia Monday, the Cards have lost five of their last six games and currently sit at 11-9 overall and 5-5 in ACC play.
Mack has served as the Cardinal’s head coach since 2018 following Rick Pitino’s removal in 2017. During his three and a half seasons at UofL, he had a 68-36 record including an NCAA Tournament appearance in 2019.
In the wake of the Dino Gaudio firing and accusations of rule-breaking, Mack is still under investigation by the NCAA for multiple Level 2 violations.
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