Mack Suspended 6 games, out $221k

[glassmanJ]

Louisville suspends Mack six games without pay

Louisville Cardinals suspend men's basketball coach Chris Mack six games without pay Friday for failing to follow university guidelines while being extorted by a former assistant coach.

www.espn.com

• 
  
  Mark SchlabachESPN Senior Writer

Louisville suspended men's basketball coach Chris Mack for six games on Friday, after concluding that he didn't follow university guidelines and procedures while being extorted by a former assistant coach.

Louisville said in a statement that Mack would be suspended without pay from Nov. 8 through Nov. 27 and would miss six non-ACC games, including two games in the Bahamas. During the suspension, Mack will be prohibited from having contact with players and coaches. He will forfeit about $221,000 in compensation, according to the school.

"As I have said since the beginning of my tenure, we have high expectations for all of our staff members and coaches and we hold people accountable for their actions," Cardinals athletics director Vince Tyra said in a statement. "While we have made great strides over the last four years in changing the culture in our Department of Athletics, we cannot afford to have any setbacks, no matter how big or small, in our pursuits. I am confident that Coach Mack now understands the impact of his actions. We all have confidence in him moving forward."


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In May, the acting U.S. Attorney for the Western District of Kentucky charged former basketball assistant Dino Gaudio with one federal count of attempting to extort money and other things of value from the university.

According to the charge, Gaudio, during an in-person meeting with Louisville officials on March 17, "threatened to report to the media allegations that the University of Louisville men's basketball program had violated [NCAA] rules in its production of recruiting videos for prospective student-athletes and its use of graduate assistants in practice, unless the University of Louisville paid [Gaudio] his salary for an additional 17 months or provided the lump sum equivalent of 17 months of salary."

Later that day, according to the charge, Gaudio "sent a text message to the University of Louisville personnel containing one of the recruiting videos he was threatening to send to the media." The text message traveled outside Kentucky, according to the government.

On June 4, Gaudio, 64, pleaded guilty to a charge of interstate communication with intent to extort. As part of a plea deal with prosecutors, he was sentenced to one-year of probation and a $10,000 fine on Friday.

"I regret that any of my unintentional actions or failures to follow University guidelines have brought unnecessary attention to our outstanding athletics programs and University," Mack said in a statement. "I understand that I could have handled matters differently and therefore I accept this suspension. While it will kill me to be away from our basketball family in November, I will do everything possible to set them up for success before and after my time away, and I am fully confident that our coaches, staff and student-athletes will rise to the occasion."

 

[REDFISTFURY3]

Heard the audio sound like a scene from Casino ,Goodfellows lol. I'm just relieved that all Dino had too say in it as far as illigal is what he has stated the videos and Ga's practicing nothing more than that really as far as violations that appear to be true so. That's the punishment facing U of L i'l take that hit

 

[REDFISTFURY3]

Until i hear whom is actually the responsible party for this 6 game suspension. I do not have any confidence in the President or AD . Whomever is calling the shots and i truly suspect someone with influence . If you do not see how this will criple an already fractured program much more your delusional. Mack no longer has any trust for the admin has no incentive to be loyal going forward . First legit offer he and the other major coaches get again U of L fanbase don't cry when they all bolt. And as far as that notion of we can get this that coach. Forget it this program especially mens BB will be a shell of it's former self going forward. Glad i got to witness the glory days. Always a Card for life. But i'm signing off . I have lost my enthusiam for the upcoming season. Good Luck!

 

[transpac]

Until i hear whom is actually the responsible party for this 6 game suspension. I do not have any confidence in the President or AD . Whomever is calling the shots and i truly suspect someone with influence . If you do not see how this will criple an already fractured program much more your delusional. Mack no longer has any trust for the admin has no incentive to be loyal going forward . First legit offer he and the other major coaches get again U of L fanbase don't cry when they all bolt. And as far as that notion of we can get this that coach. Forget it this program especially mens BB will be a shell of it's former self going forward. Glad i got to witness the glory days. Always a Card for life. But i'm signing off . I have lost my enthusiam for the upcoming season. Good Luck!

Something is sadly wrong with this story. A person is convicted of a felony, namely extortion, and gets fined $10K and a year's probation. The judge publicly moans because he thought that sentence was too severe but his hands were tied. Meanwhile, the person who was extorted (for alleged violating insignificant NCAA basketball rules) gets suspended from his job and forfeits $221K of salary for violating some obscure U of L administrative procedure. The message is that future extortionists better be paid off and the matter kept quiet.

 

[Knucklehank1]

Something is sadly wrong with this story. A person is convicted of a felony, namely extortion, and gets fined $10K and a year's probation. The judge publicly moans because he thought that sentence was too severe but his hands were tied. Meanwhile, the person who was extorted (for alleged violating insignificant NCAA basketball rules) gets suspended from his job and forfeits $221K of salary for violating some obscure U of L administrative procedure. The message is that future extortionists better be paid off and the matter kept quiet.

The two penalties are not really related. And if you wanted try to equate the two you’d have to include Dino’s lost compensation from losing his job. Also germane to the conversation would be Mack’s rate of compensation and the fact that he just received a $250k pay raise.

 

[nccardfan]

So who coaches while Mack is suspended? Would have been Murray.

 

[transpac]

The two penalties are not really related. And if you wanted try to equate the two you’d have to include Dino’s lost compensation from losing his job. Also germane to the conversation would be Mack’s rate of compensation and the fact that he just received a $250k pay raise.

Dino was fired before his crime of extortion so his loss of his income has nothing to do with his criminal penalty. That's like going easy on someone who murdered his parents because he's an orphan.

 

[Knucklehank1]

Dino was fired before his crime of extortion so his loss of his income has nothing to do with his criminal penalty. That's like going easy on someone who murdered his parents because he's an orphan.

And Mack’s losing 6 games worth of salary has nothing to do with a judicial ruling.

 

[transpac]

And Mack’s losing 6 games worth of salary has nothing to do with a judicial ruling.

And nobody said or implied that it did.

 

[Ipartiedwithhopgood]

Mack is probably on thin ice. The president ain't happy. Mack's 6 game suspension came from the president over the top of the current AD Tyra. Asking basketball mgrs to practice is so minor during pandemic, but given the current state of forever shambles, Mack has to just follow all rules.

That audio recording with Dino is friggin sad. Mack probably ain't a popular dude in many coaching circles these days. Look Dino had problems, being broke on his salary no habla but he's in a bad spot and Mack went Goodfellas on him.

Can't wait to see the next headline.



The program is just a joke for years they need to do a Netflix Mini Series on UofL basketball they could probably roll with about 4 seasons 10 episodes in each.

Starring

Rick Pitino - Joe Pesci
Chris Mack - The kid from the movie Powder
Tom Jurich - Tommy Lee Jones
Katina Powell - Arsenio Hall
Dino Gaudio - Joe Pesci again
Andre McGee - Chris Rock
Denny Crum - Kevin Costner
Cardinal Bird - Mario Lopez
Vince Tyra - Christopher Walken
Cardinal LadyBirds Dance Team - Cardinal LadyBirds Dance Team (yes)

 

[Knucklehank1]

It has now been revealed that Mack withheld a portion of the recording. He is lucky he didn’t get fired.

 

[Ipartiedwithhopgood]

It has now been revealed that Mack withheld a portion of the recording. He is lucky he didn’t get fired.

It could be a developing situation, who knows. Keep us posted

 

[transpac]

It has now been revealed that Mack withheld a portion of the recording. He is lucky he didn’t get fired.

IMHO he's been a lousy coach. If he needs to be fired the school needs to get on with it and get someone competent.

 

[Knucklehank1]

It could be a developing situation, who knows. Keep us posted

I should clarify on this. Reportedly
he initially withheld some of the recording which pissed off the administration. I’d be pissed if I were then as well.

 

[nccardfan]

Now, unlike when we hired Mack, it will be difficult to find a reputable coach to come here.

 

[transpac]

It;s hard to believe that a school that had Crum, Pitino, Schnellenberger, and Petrino as coaches would settle for the current crop.

 

[PHCARD]

Now, unlike when we hired Mack, it will be difficult to find a reputable coach to come here.

I'm beside myself with concerns. I'm going on to FB for my own sanity. I hope to catch you @nccardfan at tailgating this year.

 

[Ipartiedwithhopgood]

I should clarify on this. Reportedly
he initially withheld some of the recording which pissed off the administration. I’d be pissed if I were then as well.

thx Hank who knows what's next.

 

[Ipartiedwithhopgood]

Now, unlike when we hired Mack, it will be difficult to find a reputable coach to come here.

Why would it be tougher now? They still have top facilities and top pay. Still in the ACC. Still decades of tradition. NCAA cloud existed 5 years ago, anybody that took the job then was going to be aware an NCAA hammer was pending, which remains the current situation.

The latest PR disaster isn't any worse than what happened 5 years ago, and it's not some additional heavy anchor. It's embarrassing, but that's on Dino and Mack. They are the ones that might have a hard time in the industry moving forward.

For UofL, it's just one more issue between two guys that would no longer be with the program if you're trying to hire a new coach anyway.

Now, if Mack sticks around, it's for sure gonna be hard for him to find quality assistant coaches.

 

[nccardfan]

I'm beside myself with concerns. I'm going on to FB for my own sanity. I hope to catch you @nccardfan at tailgating this year.

I have tickets for Oct 9th!!!

 

[nccardfan]

Why would it be tougher now? They still have top facilities and top pay. Still in the ACC. Still decades of tradition. NCAA cloud existed 5 years ago, anybody that took the job then was going to be aware an NCAA hammer was pending, which remains the current situation.

The latest PR disaster isn't any worse than what happened 5 years ago, and it's not some additional heavy anchor. It's embarrassing, but that's on Dino and Mack. They are the ones that might have a hard time in the industry moving forward.

For UofL, it's just one more issue between two guys that would no longer be with the program if you're trying to hire a new coach anyway.

Now, if Mack sticks around, it's for sure gonna be hard for him to find quality assistant coaches.

We haven’t been hit yet by the NCAA. The issue with Mack and Dino can still be considered lack of institutional control. I’m sure we made promises to look both ways before crossing the street. It’s possible we get hit with more sanctions. Maybe postseason ban for a couple of years. Remember Mack gets paid either way..

 

[Ipartiedwithhopgood]

We haven’t been hit yet by the NCAA. The issue with Mack and Dino can still be considered lack of institutional control. I’m sure we made promises to look both ways before crossing the street. It’s possible we get hit with more sanctions. Maybe postseason ban for a couple of years. Remember Mack gets paid either way..

Those sanctions were looming when they made their last hire.

They will have the $ to pay, Mack was the 11th highest paid coach last year. The next guy will be lined up for something similar.

The bigger issues are things like, same issue they had 5 years ago, they don't need to go after a guy that is shoe-based recruiting type. At this point, I think most fans won't want that anyway. Another issue is good luck identifying who a good coach is in this era anyway. This is a problem even if seeking a new coach under good circumstances like when a coach simply retires or moves on to a better job.

Look at what 3 top programs are hiring - UNC is bringing in Hubert Davis, Duke is bringing in Jon Scheyer after Coach K does his look at me tour this year, IU is bringing in a failed NBA coach Mike Woodson that has zero college HC experience - those guys haven't coached a game at this level.

UofL needs to do is a better job of vetting character and at least have a list of guys to interview and they should lean more on character than W/L resume. Just my opinion, but I bet a lot of fans feel that way these days.

 

[2330859]

UL hired Wade Houston as an assistant to a young Denny Crum, long before it was as common as it is today. At the same time, Wade‘s wife Alice served as a member of the BoT.

I cannot help but wonder if any of this issue would have evolved had Denny Crum not been so young when Wade left UL to become HC at UT, recognizing Denny was too far away from retirement. Wade would definitely have been the next HC at UL if circumstances had been different.

The very sad irony, is witnessing this University now being subjected to cbarges of racism, when UL was a true pioneer in desegregation. Conversely, UK was most deliberate in its effort to integrate.

 

[nccardfan]

Those sanctions were looming when they made their last hire.

They will have the $ to pay, Mack was the 11th highest paid coach last year. The next guy will be lined up for something similar.

The bigger issues are things like, same issue they had 5 years ago, they don't need to go after a guy that is shoe-based recruiting type. At this point, I think most fans won't want that anyway. Another issue is good luck identifying who a good coach is in this era anyway. This is a problem even if seeking a new coach under good circumstances like when a coach simply retires or moves on to a better job.

Look at what 3 top programs are hiring - UNC is bringing in Hubert Davis, Duke is bringing in Jon Scheyer after Coach K does his look at me tour this year, IU is bringing in a failed NBA coach Mike Woodson that has zero college HC experience - those guys haven't coached a game at this level.

UofL needs to do is a better job of vetting character and at least have a list of guys to interview and they should lean more on character than W/L resume. Just my opinion, but I bet a lot of fans feel that way these days.

I guarantee you Davis and Scheyer are class acts. Nobody knew Coach K when he started and I didn’t know who Denny Crum was until he got here.

 

[Ipartiedwithhopgood]

I guarantee you Davis and Scheyer are class acts. Nobody knew Coach K when he started and I didn’t know who Denny Crum was until he got here.

So is it your belief UofL will be unable to hire a classy coach with a win loss record of 0-0 if they need to replace Mack?

What are you envisioning as next man up if Mack's time is done? What scoundrel will UofL get stuck with?

 

[nccardfan]

So is it your belief UofL will be unable to hire a classy coach with a win loss record of 0-0 if they need to replace Mack?

What are you envisioning as next man up if Mack's time is done? What scoundrel will UofL get stuck with?

You seem to have a better crystal ball than I do. All I was saying is when we hired Mack, that was the better opportunity to hire a good coach, not when or if we need to replace Mack, which I’m not saying is going to happen or what I want. I just want the Cards to be relevant again in terms of men’s BB.

 

[Ipartiedwithhopgood]

You seem to have a better crystal ball than I do. All I was saying is when we hired Mack, that was the better opportunity to hire a good coach, not when or if we need to replace Mack, which I’m not saying is going to happen or what I want. I just want the Cards to be relevant again in terms of men’s BB.

I don't disagree with you overall really. Who knows if Mack can hang on, I didn't intend to pretend to have it figured out.

Hindsight is 20/20, and if we knew we'd be discussing audio leaks and extortion. Again. Maybe the program would have been better off with 100% high character David Padgett and seeing if he could have grown into the job. And you may be right, the pool of candidates may not be as wide if the program has to search again.

I think I've accepted the downfall of the program and position the program is in until further notice, but still think a lot of coaches would be interested in the facilities, tradition, ACC, etc. It's a top job, just not right now at this moment, as in like.... Sept 1st 2021 moment...yeah the problems are gigantic at this time. But things can and do change.

Louisville won't be down forever.

 

[Ipartiedwithhopgood]

I guess what I'm saying is, it's hard for fans to truly grasp just how far in the dumpster the program actually is. Try discussing out loud at Thanksgiving with your family the type of transgressions that have gone on. Hookers, FBI/100k payments to players, extortion, more extortion.

A program is not supposed to have these things happening. These things aren't supposed to be happening anywhere, much less a college campus.

It's unprecedented so performance between the lines is gonna drop after these things come out. The program is not supposed to become relevant shortly after all these transgressions. The program has actually over achieved since the fall-out, but fans are so accustomed to post season and high level of winning I don't think they truly grasp the big picture. A program is supposed to absolutely suck after these type of transgressions. Discipline from the NCAA is still pending. It's just not gonna end any time soon.

 

[KozmasAgain]

I like Mack and I am willing to give him longer than 2 years too make it. I also don’t think using coaches for practice when you don’t have enough players because of Covid is that bad of a violation. The one I do have remorse towards is Gauido

 

[LeFors4Ever]

If you move from Mack, you better have someone great and ready to go on day 1. Mack is a good enough to keep us relevant in recruiting and winning. He's not a Crean but more of a Tubby Smith, where his really good is good enough to win a title in the right circumstances but overall he's not a Rick where he's going to make you a title contender yearly.

I was a big advocate for Cronin and thought he was better than Mack, and maybe he gets tired of empty gyms on the West Coast some day?

If not for his role at UT and the FBI crap, I would've gone all in on Bruce Pearl. Billy D is not coming to Louisville. Beard is set at Texas unless a bigger option comes. Mark Few isn't coming. There isn't a clear next man up as far as a coach goes where you have a good feeling. Mack is what he is for now while we have the probation cloud.

Like IU basketball and Tennessee football, don't make a move unless you know you have a guy.

 

[Ipartiedwithhopgood]

Cronin is a former Pitino assistant would assume he doesn't have The Godfather's blessing to come back here but who knows.

Mack fired assistants that tells you he was feeling heat before his leaked audio fiasco threw gas on his fire. The president obviously forced this suspension over the top of the AD. Mack's support is obviously nowhere near where it was when he first signed on.

It's too bad, overall he seems to embrace the tradition and I'm not sure if he's the answer or not.

I personally don't think his W/L performance merited heat and firing of his assistants, but somebody was putting that heat on him. Maybe that is a big problem from a philosophical perspective. How you gonna bring heat down on a coach who had a 2 seed post season wiped out that made the tournament his first year and was on bubble last year given all the smoke he walked into?

He probably had no idea this circus was going to extend as long as it has and quite honestly I'm not sure anybody other than Pitino could have actually guided the program through all this and remained T20 good.

Mack now seems to be backed into a corner where he's gotta do something big with a team not picked inside the top tier in a watered down ACC.

If he can survive he may be here awhile. If not, who knows what's next.

 

[Mike'sMarbles]

At this point I'm still in favor of letting Mack run the program until we're through with the NCAA.

 

[CardsFirst]

Cronin is a former Pitino assistant would assume he doesn't have The Godfather's blessing to come back here but who knows.

Mack fired assistants that tells you he was feeling heat before his leaked audio fiasco threw gas on his fire. The president obviously forced this suspension over the top of the AD. Mack's support is obviously nowhere near where it was when he first signed on.

It's too bad, overall he seems to embrace the tradition and I'm not sure if he's the answer or not.

I personally don't think his W/L performance merited heat and firing of his assistants, but somebody was putting that heat on him. Maybe that is a big problem from a philosophical perspective. How you gonna bring heat down on a coach who had a 2 seed post season wiped out that made the tournament his first year and was on bubble last year given all the smoke he walked into?

He probably had no idea this circus was going to extend as long as it has and quite honestly I'm not sure anybody other than Pitino could have actually guided the program through all this and remained T20 good.

Mack now seems to be backed into a corner where he's gotta do something big with a team not picked inside the top tier in a watered down ACC.

If he can survive he may be here awhile. If not, who knows what's next.

I don’t see it like that. Mack made a poor judgment for whatever reason and decided to go against a directive. Dr Bendapudi made a decision not related to BB. Timing was bad but that’s just how it is. She sent a clear message to all employees, disregarding a directive and policies will not be tolerated.
Does that have anything to do with his performance…..no.
Mack firing of Murray and Guadio was unfortunately, but necessary. And Mack has been battling the cloud of the NCAA since he arrived I feel we need to give him some slack. A coaching change anytime in the next several years would not be in anybody’s best interest. Mack or the University’s. And I’m pretty sure Vince gets that.

 

[PHCARD]

To not renew contracts to two guys who were considered friends, there was many’s reasons. Many times hiring friends or family is not a good idea. It was procedures that got screwed up.

 

[2330859]

If you did not know Denny Crum or Coach K before they were hired at UL and Duke respectively; it’s because you, along with most folks during that time period were not familiar with either UCLA and Army basketball programs when John Wooden and Bobby Knight were demonstrating the value in coaching discipline and fundamentals during a time period when both values were appreciated.

Peck Hickman was the UL AD who was responsible for identifying Denny Crum as his selection as HC, based on the depth of knowledge that Peck had accumulated over his long career in college basketball. It was at a time long before Internet and so many other forms of accessing information; Peck knew many of the folks in his profession and was familiar with the UCLA system that Wooden had created. He knew that Crum was instrumental in both recruiting and running practices. John Dromo was an exceptional candidate to succeed Peck, but his unexpected heart attack forced him to leave prematurely, forcing Peck to begin his search to replace the temporary placement of Howard Stacey. What many people do not know is that Bobby Knight was on Peck’s list of potential candidates along with Crum.

Chris Mack was one of the very best options for UL at the time he was hired as HC. I believe his misjudgment pertaining to the firing of Dino was something that Vince could not have predicted at the time he was hired; given the culture that exists today, it is most doubtful that Peck could have done any better in finding a HC.

 

[Ipartiedwithhopgood]

I don’t see it like that.

We're kind of saying a lot of the same things actually.

I said I think he's over-achieved and I never said he should be fired. I said only Pitino could have kept this program in the T20 through all these problems. I also said some fans might not be fully understanding just how gigantic the problems he inherited actually are. You say fans should cut him some slack because of the off court problems. So we're kind of saying the same thing.

I don't think he "should" be fired, I'm just saying his support isn't where it was when he arrived and I wouldn't be surprised if his time was up sooner than later.

Maybe we disagree on his level of support, I admit I'm just guessing. It is probably true Tyra didn't want to suspend him. But he did. I am guessing the higher ups are tired of the program being in the mud. A 6 game suspension is beyond slap on the wrist 1-2 game type of penalty.

It's also true there are realistic fans. But there are also impatient fans that think he should be winning more games than he is.

 

[nccardfan]

I don’t see it like that. Mack made a poor judgment for whatever reason and decided to go against a directive. Dr Bendapudi made a decision not related to BB. Timing was bad but that’s just how it is. She sent a clear message to all employees, disregarding a directive and policies will not be tolerated.
Does that have anything to do with his performance…..no.
Mack firing of Murray and Guadio was unfortunately, but necessary. And Mack has been battling the cloud of the NCAA since he arrived I feel we need to give him some slack. A coaching change anytime in the next several years would not be in anybody’s best interest. Mack or the University’s. And I’m pretty sure Vince gets that.

I would like to hear more about why you think it was necessary to fire not just Gaudio but Murray? Were there complaints that they weren’t doing their jobs? What were these two guys responsible for that wasn’t measuring up? Was it just based on not performing to expectations? Mack needed to not renew his own contract if that was the case.

 

[shadow force]

At this point I'm still in favor of letting Mack run the program until we're through with the NCAA.

Agreed. Unless something else drastic happens, I think keeping Mack until the program is finally through all the NCAA penalties is best.

Mack may prove himself during that time, or a little after, or he may not.

 

[2330859]

No reasonable person can argue the fact that Mack inherited this UL Basketball Program in a risky condition. I have never doubted that UL will return to its position as a perennial national contender; but it must first separate itself from the pending NCAA violations and any subsequent penalties.

 

[REDFISTFURY3]

So why the heck can he not coach in the Bahamas? The first 6 games are right before that trip.​

​

​

Louisville's Men's Basketball's Full 2021-22 Schedule:​

Oct. 29: vs. Kentucky State^
Nov. 3: vs. West Georgia^
Nov. 9: vs. Southern*
Nov. 12: vs. Furman*
Nov. 15: vs. Navy*
Nov. 20: vs. Detroit Mercy*
Nov. 25: vs Mississippi State* (Baha Mar Hoops Bahamas Championship - Nassau, Bahamas)
Nov. 27: vs. Maryland or Richmond* (Baha Mar Hoops Bahamas Championship - Nassau, Bahamas)
Dec. 1: at Michigan State* (ACC/Big Ten Challenge)
Dec. 4: at NC State
Dec. 10: vs. DePaul*
Dec. 14: vs. Southeastern Louisiana*
Dec. 18: at Western Kentucky*
Dec. 22: at Kentucky*
Dec. 29: vs. Wake Forest
Jan. 1: at Georgia Tech
Jan. 5: vs. Pitt
Jan. 8: at Florida State
Jan. 12: vs. NC State
Jan. 15: at Pitt
Jan. 19: vs. Boston College
Jan. 22: vs. Notre Dame
Jan. 24: at Virginia
Jan. 29: vs. Duke
Jan. 31: vs. North Carolina
Feb. 5: at Syracuse
Feb. 9: at Notre Dame
Feb. 16: vs. Miami
Feb. 19: vs. Clemson
Feb. 21: at North Carolina
Feb. 26: at Wake Forest
Mar. 1: at Virginia Tech
Mar. 5: vs. Virginia
*non-conference
^exhibition