Kenny Payne discusses why he joined the Arkansas basketball staff: Former Louisville coach had ‘numerous’ offers.
Kenny Payne found a comfortable landing spot following a turbulent tenure at Louisville.
Former Louisville basketball head coach Kenny Payne quickly found a new role after being dismissed from his position, securing an assistant coaching job under John Calipari at Arkansas. This swift return to coaching follows a disappointing stint at his alma mater, where he oversaw two of the worst seasons in Louisville’s history, with the team posting a combined 12-52 record during his tenure.
Despite the challenging start to his head coaching career and the resulting frustration from Louisville fans, Payne noted that he had multiple offers when he re-entered the job market. He reunited with Calipari, who had moved on from Kentucky to Arkansas.
“We decided to part ways,” Payne said of his departure from Louisville in an interview with Hogs Plus.
“They decided to part ways. So you question yourself as a coach. And then when it’s over, the conversations that happen around the country. Numerous NBA teams, numerous college teams and programs: ‘Kenny, we want you to be a part of what we’re doing. We know exactly what happened.’ And then you realize you really were on the right page.”
Throughout his tenure at Louisville, Payne consistently emphasized that rebuilding the program would take several years. When he took over, the Cardinals were still dealing with the aftermath of the NCAA investigation into Rick Pitino’s tenure, which posed significant challenges, particularly in recruiting.
Now, with his rocky stint at Louisville behind him, Payne focuses on revitalizing his career at Arkansas alongside a longtime colleague.
“Ensuring I went to a place that was a good fit was probably the most important thing,” Payne said. “John Calipari and I are close friends. I love working for him and with him. I love taking care of kids. I have a dear friend in John Tyson who lives here, so it was a fit.
“I love this program. I love what it has achieved. I love Nolan Richardson and Mike Anderson. I’ve admired the men who have been here. Eddie Sutton recruited me in high school when he left and went to Kentucky. So I know what this program is about, and it reminds me of what I grew up in. I love this state and the passion people have for basketball here. This has been a great fit for me.”
