By Keith Taylor
Kentucky Today
Kenny Payne played at Louisville and was a member of the school’s national championship team in 1986.
It should be no surprise Payne’s name has surfaced for the head coaching vacancy at the University of Louisville during the past 24 hours. Payne just finished his eighth season with the Wildcats and has been the associate head coach since 2014.
Payne said earlier this year that Louisville “changed my life” and that he has a “love for Louisville.” Payne has indicated it’s his desire to be a head coach but isn’t in a rush to reach his ultimate goal.
“I have a great job (and) I’m not in a rush,” he said earlier this year. “I’m not taking a bad job. I love what I do. I’ve been blessed to be working with a coach like Coach Cal, who’s a good man.
“I’ve been blessed to be working with young men that are exceptional young men, that are similar to me: Dream Chasers. They are out trying to do something special and I don’t take that lightly. So when the right time comes, hopefully, it does. If it doesn’t, I can live with it.”
Louisville is looking for a replacement for David Padgett, who guided the Cardinals to a 22-14 record on an interim basis following Rick Pitino’s departure last fall. The current coaching search has centered around Xavier coach Chris Mack, but several Louisville insiders are making a push for Payne, who played for the Cardinals from 1985-89.
“Everybody knows that Kenny Payne is one of the top assistant coaches in the country,” former Louisville star Billy Thompson told WDRB.com. “All he needs is the opportunity.”
Keith Taylor is sports editor for Kentucky Today. Reach him at keith.taylor@kentuckytoday.com or twitter @keithtaylor21.