The Louisville Cardinals had an extremely disappointing season in 2021, finishing the year 13-19, near the bottom of the ACC standings. It was the third consecutive year that the team did not make the NCAA Tournament under head coach Chris Mack, which led to him being fired in January.
The team announced his replacement in March, naming former Kentucky assistant Kenny Payne as head coach. Payne had deep ties within the Louisville program, playing at the school from 1985 to 1989. He was a standout during his time there, going on to be selected with the 19th pick in the 1989 NBA Draft.
Louisville has now decided to bring on another former standout college basketball player to their staff. ESPN insider Marc Spears reported on Monday that the program is bringing in former Duke star Nolan Smith as their new associate head coach.
Former NBA guard Nolan Smith has spoke with Duke’s men’s basketball staff and told them he plans on accepting a job as associate head coach with new head coach Kenny Payne at the University of Louisville, a source told @andscape. Smith’s late father Derek starred with the Cards.
— Marc J. Spears (@MarcJSpears) April 4, 2022
Smith has been with the Duke staff since 2016, having been recently promoted to an assistant coach role in 2021. Much like Payne, Smith’s impressive playing career at Duke was enough to get him drafted in the first round of the 2011 NBA Draft.
This hire has the college basketball world talking, with many excited to see how Smith will do in an increased role on Louisville’s staff.
That's a great hire. https://t.co/7zdXbAOi32
— Mitch B (@MitchBTV_) April 4, 2022
Can only imagine how much this means to Nolan, happy for him. https://t.co/f0YyJohohv
— Sabreena Merchant (@sabreenajm) April 4, 2022
Oh man. Huge chess piece for @LouisvilleMBB
Nolan Smith is a heck of a recruiter and one of the main reasons Duke has the No. 1 recruiting class for 2022 #GoCards https://t.co/jqde1lA2uo
— Josh Berrian (@_joshonair) April 4, 2022
Great news!!! https://t.co/S3Pnim1HE9
— Newy Scruggs (@newyscruggs) April 4, 2022
Smith’s departure will mean that Duke will lose another piece of their coaching staff along with legendary head coach Mike Krzyzewski’s retirement.
Louisville was recently a powerhouse basketball program and they will look to Smith to help transform them back to prominence going forward.
[Marc Spears, Photo Credit: GoDuke]
