I’m not going to re-write history. I wanted Richard Pitino to be the next basketball coach here. I grew up caring about Louisville because of the Pitino family, essentially. As a 26 year old, my grade school and high school days were the peak Pitino years. There was a major part of me that wanted to see those fences be mended. I wanted the old guard back in a sense. Not all of it, but some of it, at the very least. I was voicing my opinion on here and on social media. Obviously, Richard Pitino isn’t the guy.
Pat Kelsey is. And while I don’t think the search was executed flawlessly, and probably far from flawlessly. Plenty of criticism to go around on how this search was executed, in my opinion. I was as animated as anyone. As we sit here at 7:30, I’m in on Pet Kelsey working here.
And before I get into a few tidbits, let me say this. He needs to win. He needs to prove to you all he’s the guy. It’s not my job to sell this hire, and I’m not going to. I’m certainly not going to gaslight you all like many did with Kenny Payne.
Onto Pat Kelsey. I’m in. Let’s go. Space and pace offensive system. On defense, it’s not necessarily a pack-line. They will hedge hard on ball screens, but it’s a hybrid, if anything. After digging in even more, I don’t think the Chris Mack comparisons are fair. Hand up, I shouldn’t have led that charge.
I would expect two of his assistants to join him here. The one name you should know is Thomas Carr.
Carr spent the past two years serving as the Athletics Director at national high school powerhouse Word of God Christian Academy in Raleigh, North Carolina, which has produced NBA veterans John Wall and T.J. Warren, among others. In that two-year span, Carr has also helped countless coaching staffs across the country at all levels of the collegiate game as the Scouting Director of Your Fourth Assistant, and made a significant impact as the Director of Team Loaded NC, one of the premier AAU programs in the country.
Dude is a SHARK on the recruiting trail. Relentless worker. Know the name. I expect him to join Kelsey, and he’s a very good one. If there’s a high school kid or a transfer originally from the state of North Carolina, Carr will be all over it.
I also expect the S&C coach from CofC to come with Kelsey.
As far as CofC players, I’m told 2-3 will likely come, but with the understanding that they will be playing lesser roles. Kelsey wants some of his guys here so that they can lay the groundwork for what the expectation is.
As far as the NIL side. People freaked out at first, but as they started to learn more, it's been more positive, a major donor tells me.
502Circle has already been collaborating with the transfer portal efforts and the excitement is building on that front.
I don’t think he would mind me sharing this, so I’m going to. Eric Wood texted me this:
“Fans will fall in love with Pat Kelsey. I can guarantee you that.”
Onward.
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