LOUISVILLE, Ky. — As if being a rookie head coach wasn’t challenging enough, Kenny Payne must rebuild a Louisville program where he was part of its storied past while learning the ropes.
It would be one thing if his task was limited to the court, where Payne must blend his few returning Cardinals with transfers and underclassmen. But he must also lead his team from the cloud of several scandals, with an independent panel deciding punishment for the latest allegations.
Reconnecting with a Louisville fan base tired of the drama is another part of the mission for Payne, who seems emboldened to restore his alma mater’s luster on all fronts. In due time.
“I want to establish a culture,” Payne said. “If I don’t establish a culture this year and I make this about wins and losses, I’m cheating the process. The culture is uncompromised and if it means that we lose, we lose.
“Then the next year we’ll be a little bit better, then the next year we’ll be a lot better, then the next year we’ll be ridiculous. I can’t let the pressure of sitting in this seat, being the head coach with everybody watching at a great institution with the pressure of winning, I can’t let it overcome me.”
Payne, 55, will start with a clean slate of sorts since taking over last March following the second interim coaching stint of Mike Pegues after Chris Mack’s departure on Jan. 26.
The Cardinals return just one regular starter in senior forward Sydney Curry, though forward Jae’Lyn Withers and guard El Ellis were part of the rotation. Louisville (13-19, 6-14 ACC last season) was subsequently picked to finish 12th in a preseason media vote, symbolizing the low expectations.
As for pressure, Payne doesn't feel it with a championship pedigree and coaching background that prepared him for the task ahead. The Mississippi native spent nearly two NBA seasons as a New York Knicks assistant following a 10-year tenure at archrival Kentucky on John Calipari’s staff, highlighted by the 2012 NCAA championship.
The ex-Cardinal who scored 1,083 points from 1985-89 at Louisville and was a freshman on Louisville's 1986 NCAA title team was first mentioned as a possible candidate following the controversial firing of Hall of Famer Rick Pitino after a 2017 corruption scandal.
Mack eventually got the job and took Louisville to the 2019 NCAA Tournament his first season but the Cardinals haven't returned since. Payne got the call this time around.
Judging from the throng of Louisville basketball alumni who attended his introduction and subsequent events, including Crum, he won’t have to do it alone.
“You look at all of the former athletes and former basketball players that came back to support him, and that’s something that really hadn’t been around here for a while," former Louisville great and NBA veteran Junior Bridgeman said. "And now, let us look forward to what he’s going to do in the future.”
BUILDING BLOCKS
The return of 6-foot-8 Sidney Curry (7.1 points, 4.4 rebounds), El Ellis (8.7 points) and 6-9 Jae’Lyn Withers (5.8 points, 4.6 boards) at least gives Payne a starting point. His background working with post players figures to benefit Withers and Curry. Sophomore Roosevelt Wheeler (6-11) is also back while guard Mike Evans is available after missing last season with a torn Achilles tendon.
“He’s an honest guy and everything he says, you take heed in,” Curry said.
SEASONED SUPPORT
Payne’s assistant coaching hires were noteworthy because of who he got and where they came from. Nolan Smith, son of ex-Cardinal Derek Smith, came over from Duke soon after Mike Krzyzewski’s finale, followed by ex-Wake Forest and Maryland head coach Danny Manning and Josh Jamieson. Former Louisville scoring great Milt Wagner is the program’s director of player personnel.
NEWCOMERS
Payne’s son Zan, a little-used Kentucky reserve guard/forward, is among four transfers with the Cardinals. The others are forward Brandon Huntley-Hatfield (Tennessee), guards Aidan McCool (Maryland) and Hercy Miller (Tennessee State). Louisville also has four freshmen.
CONSULTING CALIPARI
Payne said he talked recently with Kentucky coach John Calipari, who told him to take a breath and take his time. Easier said than done.
“I tell him and others, I don’t have time,” Payne said. “It’s coming so fast. ... Everything I’ve done, every time I talk, I don’t want to be prepared. I want it to be authentic, I want it to be genuine, I want it to be compassionate that way a feel, not prerecorded.”
THE SCHEDULE
Louisville opens against crosstown Bellarmine on Nov. 9 before eventually facing Arkansas on Nov. 21 in the first of several tests at the Maui Invitational that includes Creighton and Texas Tech. The Cardinals host Maryland in the Big Ten/ACC Challenge and open conference play on Dec. 4 against Miami. They will resume the annual Bluegrass rivalry against No. 4 Kentucky on Dec. 31.
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