Louisville HC Pat Kelsey explains reasons that nudged him to join “one of the most powerful brands”
Pat Kelsey signed a five-year deal with the University of Louisville in late March to take on the head coaching role for the Cardinals. The move comes after a 3-year stint with Charleston, where Kelsey led the Cougars to a record-high 31-win season, making him a university favorite.
However, when asked about making the huge leap, Kelsey shared that the decision came naturally to him.
"It's Louisville," Kelsey said while speaking to Andy Katz on NABC's show. "It's Louisville basketball man. I grew up 90 miles from here so I was close enough obviously to feel the magic of the Louisville brand in the 80s," he added.
"But even if I didn't grow 90 miles from here and I grew up a million miles from here, it's one of the most powerful brands in basketball. It is one of the most tradition-rich programs ever. So I think the power and the mystique of this program's past was the biggest thing," Kelsey followed.
Louisville has always been a major attraction for coaches. Chris Mack, who resigned in 2022, joined the program in 2019, weeks after leading his alma mater to the number 1 seed in the 2018 NCAA Tournament.
Kelsey grips Lousiville after the program went through its worst two-year stretch behind a 12-52 record.
Pat Kelsey is known as a dominant winner through his respectable 12 coaching years (9 at Winthrop and 3 with Charleston). Overall, he has a winning record of 261-122 (68.1%) along with four NCAA tournament invites and 11 conference championships.
Pat Kelsey was not Lousiville's prime choice
Regardless of how easy the decision to switch was for Pat Kelsey, the University of Louisville did not see him as an immediate fit with their program. He was not the first, or the second coaching name they intended to pursue.
Baylor’s coach, Scott Drew, was at top of Louisville’s list, followed by Florida Atlantic University’s Dusty May. However, Drew chose to continue leading the Beards for his 22nd year, while May transitioned to Michigan.
The Cardinals then chased Indiana State’s Josh Schertz and were in talks with Richard Pitino (New Mexico) and Shaheen Holloway (Seton Hall).